It might well end up being a case of where there is smoke there is fire … but, for now at least, Racing Victoria is pouring cold water on some of the possible specific changes to the Spring Carnival that have already been alluded to in some media outlets.
Steve Rosich, the CEO of the Victoria Racing Club, has moved quickly to quell reports of a revised Spring Carnival schedule, stating such reports are “premature and speculative”
There were suggestions aplenty in the “premature and speculative” reporting … the Cox Plate and the Thousand Guineas moving back a month … with the Moir Stakes being moved to fill the traditional Cox Plate fixture … amongst others.
Rosich was adamant that, while the industry consultation process regarding a possible Spring Carnival revamp was ongoing with Racing Victoria, no changes have yet been decided upon.
That suggests that changes are definitely being considered and would come to fruition once any revised scheduling can be agreed upon and approved by the relevant parties. Whether that be sooner or later, will depend on the speed of the process.
Michael Browell, CEO of the Moonee Valley racing Club, has endorsed the process.
Browell told Racenet, “Racing Victoria’s proposal to review the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival has been received with open minds and constructive debate surrounding optimisation specific to the State’s premium racing calendar program.
“While no firm decision has been reached, the drive for innovation is one shared by the MVRC; with a strong emphasis on program and industry consultation.”
As has Jake Norton, the Melbourne Racing Club’s Executive General Manager Of Racing who told Racenet, “As we have done annually for several years, we review our racing program in line with our strategic objectives based on satisfying our members and eventgoers, punters, partners and participants, including owners, and generating improved commercial outcomes for racing through that.
“And we’ve been quite clear in our position that the late spring and summer period is under-utilised in that context.
“While it is true to say that Racing Victoria has been working with the clubs more seriously in relation to that lately, it is premature to conjecture about any specific potential changes, which have not yet been properly tested nor considered by the relevant decision-making groups.”
So, all of that might mean there is nothing to see here … for now.
Watch this space!
