Two of the biggest events on the Australian racing calendar have been run and won, but as the best local and international thoroughbreds took centre stage, concerns about the racehorse slaughter scandal were never far from the surface.
In Sydney, Yes Yes Yes won the richest turf race in the world, The Everest, for Chris Waller to add to the top trainer’s growing list of big race victories.
In Melbourne, a Japanese horse took out the $5 million Caulfield Cup for the second time in six years, with Mer De Glace winning.
But at both venues, members of the public generated protests about the troubled sport.
Broadcaster Bruce McAvaney told viewers it was a big day for racing in Sydney and Melbourne.
“But we do arrive at Caulfield and Randwick today at a critical time for the entire racing industry,” he said.
“Thursday night’s ABC expose of what happens to some retired racehorses calls for immediate action.
“It was horrifying to watch — as a small-time owner it made me feel ashamed.
“And not to have known is not good enough.
McAvaney said it was a “complex issue” that would require a unified approach across all levels of the racing industry.
“The nurturing of our racehorses in retirement is just as important as the care and training given to a yearling or a four year-old champion,” he said.
“It’s a complex issue that must be addressed as a priority.”
The Everest, a 1,200m race for sprinters at Royal Randwick featuring prizemoney of $14 million, saw horses competing representing a dozen “slot holders” including Godolphin, Coolmore, The Star casino, Aquis, the TAB, Inglis and Chris Waller Racing.
The three-year-old colt Yes Yes Yes, ridden by Glen Boss and trained by Waller — best known for his training association with superstar mare Winx — came through in the final 200m to take the lead and win from Santa Ana Lane and Trekking.
An emotional Waller, who started the day speaking out about the need for racing to respond to recent revelations of abuse of former racehorses at slaughterhouses, expressed joy at the big win after convincing Coolmore Australia to run the young horse in The Everest.
“You have to go to the owners … ‘This is a horse I think can win The Everest, you can’t go in to run second or third’,” Waller told the Seven Network.
“To tell you the truth [it’s an] amazing feeling, but where we have been with Winx puts it all [in perspective]. Where she took us has probably set us up for days like this to cope so much better.
“Yeah, I took it all in our stride all week. Why I’m getting emotional is the ride she took us on.
“It’s a great sport, proud to be in it.”
Redzel, the seven-year-old gelding attempting to win the race for the third time, was second in the straight but faded to finish back in the field.
Seven began its coverage with a nod to the fallout facing racing.
-ABC
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