Latest news with #JonathanMunz
News.com.au
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
VRC shuts down merger speculation after secret meeting revelations
Victoria Racing Club has shut down any potential for merger. The staunch position statement to members followed a media report on Thursday about a meeting in February where club bosses canvassed what a merger could look like. Billionaire racehorse owner-breeder Jonathan Munz hosted the roundtable between VRC chairman Neil Wilson, vice-chair Andrew Ramsden and Melbourne Racing Club kingpin John Kanga. The masthead has confirmed the discussion took place but not advanced beyond the night. Wilson and VRC chief executive Kylie Rogers co-signed a letter to members on Thursday. 'We are not pursuing or engaging on club merger activity and we have no reason, financial or otherwise to do this at this time,' the letter reads. 'We remain committed to working alongside Racing Victoria and the broader industry for the betterment of Victorian racing. 'Our focus is squarely on strengthening the VRC – growing our club, backing our members and partners, and building on the success of the Melbourne Cup carnival.' The pros and cons of merging Melbourne's metropolitan racing clubs, VRC, MRC and Moonee Valley Racing Club, has been an ongoing industry discussion for many years. Club members would need to vote in favour of a merger for the concept to gain any traction. The Valley is set to be closed in October for a full redevelopment, including new track and grandstand, with an estimated 2027 return date. Sydney counterpart the Australian Turf Club was created in 2011 following the merger of the Australian Jockey Club (AJC) and Sydney Turf Club (STC). The VRC, host of the Melbourne Cup carnival, is the shopfront of Australian racing to the world while MRC anchors the bulk of Victorian metro meetings at Caulfield and Sandown. The MRC has one of the strongest balance sheets in Australian sport with significant assets and a diversified business, including 14 poker machine venues. The VRC battled financially post-Covid, lost $70m in four years, but is set to return to profit. Southside Racing, entity following the merger of Cranbourne and Pakenham turf clubs, has exceeded all expectations. While not privy to any VRC and MRC discussions, Southside chief executive Neil Bainbridge hailed the first 12 months of the Cranbourne-Pakenham merger an 'outstanding success'. Bainbridge, however, conceded it is not a 'one size fits all' model. 'We're a lot more efficient, we're a lot more effective, we're a lot more aligned and we've got a common goal to grow racing in the southeast,' Bainbridge said. 'We think we've delivered some really good outcomes … Southside has been a success but driven by some unique circumstances and opportunities. 'We're a supporter and believer in what Southside has been able to achieve but certainly not suggesting there is a one size fits all model.'
News.com.au
05-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Grahame Begg shifts focus to Nonconformist at Flemington after Zloties' untimely injury ends Group 1 swan song
Trainer Grahame Begg has cancelled a swan song Queensland Group 1 mission for Zloties. Group 2 winner Zloties was going to be retired after the Group 1 Tattersall's Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 28 but an injury setback brought forward the plans for life after racing. Zloties, a $15 chance in early Tatt's Tiara markets, won five of nine career starts including the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes (1600m) for owner-breeder Jonathan Munz. 'She's retired,' Begg said. 'She's not heading north … she's heading to the breeding barn.' Meanwhile, Begg has Nonconformist set for a Benchmark 100 at Flemington on Saturday. Nonconformist has a big weight and wide draw but Begg said 2000m distance would suit the rising nine-year-old. 'He ran well (first-up in Adelaide), we're happy with him,' Begg said. 'He actually raced like he wanted 2000m in the mile race. 'He's trained on well, so we're very happy.' Nonconformist is $6.50 second favourite from hat-trick candidate Liberami, up in grade from a Benchmark 84 last start. Nonconformist, a $2.3m prizemoney earner, has performed consistently albeit without a win since the 2023 Group 2 Blamey Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield. The evergreen Rebel Raider gelding has raced exclusively in stakes' grade since 2020. 'He's conceding a good bit of weight under the conditions, in a Benchmark 100,' Begg said. 'A couple horses have 53kg in the race, conceding six kilos to a few but we're happy.' Begg said Nonconformist would be freshened after Saturday and prepare for the spring. 'The idea was to give him one or two runs, back off him and come up again for the spring,' Begg said. 'We won't have any major, lofty goals, races like (the Coongy) suit him.' Begg confirmed Listed Bel Esprit Stakes winner Niance is in the paddock, with spring targets in mind for the smart sprint mare, while Splash Back, who also won at Caulfield last Saturday, would head to Flemington on June 21 in a 1400m fillies and mares Benchmark 90.
News.com.au
30-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
No Frankie, no worries for Giga Kick in Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup mission
No Frankie, no worries. Giga Kick and his trusty sidekick, Frankie the pint-sized pony, have been the Batman and Robin of the Australian racing scene. Little Frankie was originally purchased about a decade ago by Giga Kick's owner Jonathan Munz for his sons Albert and Alex. Frankie and Giga Kick are rarely seen without each other and in recent years Frankie has been the star racehorse's constant travelling companion. But Frankie hasn't made the trip to Brisbane for his great mate's Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) mission. 'Giga Kick flew up this time, so Frankie didn't make the trip,' Giga Kick's trainer Clayton Douglas said. 'It's the first time he has been away without Frankie. 'Hopefully it's not a jinx, we will see on Saturday.' While there is no Frankie to keep Giga Kick company, there is a growing sense of confidence from the Giga Kick camp that the elite sprinter could be getting back to some of his three-year-old form which saw him become an Everest champion in 2022. The multiple Group 1 -winner may have been beaten first-up when the conditions of the Group 1 Goodwood in Adelaide should have suited him. But little went to plan and although he didn't win – and hasn't won for two years – Douglas was happy with what he saw when Giga Kick surged late for third behind Reserve Bank. The 3YO colt has now won three races in a row ðŸ'' @MickPriceRacing @jamieleekah07 — (@Racing) May 10, 2025 * Callow to miss Derby after jockey altercation Newmarket Handicap champion Joliestar is the $3 favourite for the Kingsford Smith but Douglas points out Giga Kick ($5) beat her home in The Everest last year. 'Joliestar is going to start favourite and rightly so, but if Giga Kick had even luck and won the other day in Adelaide, what price would he be?' Douglas said. 'The last time we met Joliestar, we beat her in The Everest. 'It seems like we could get a bit of rain on Saturday and I'm not concerned about that, I think it will be suitable for him. 'Giga Kick's last preparation was a bit of a wait and see prep with him and it was good that he was able to perform in The Everest (finishing runner-up to Bella Nipotina) the way he did. 'The horse is now in even better condition and his body is moving great. 'Whether we are going to see the three-year-old sort of form from him that we once saw, I hope so, but it is hard to say. 'One thing I do know is he's going to be more than competitive on Saturday.' All runners in the Kingsford Smith Cup, as well as the Group 1 Queensland Derby, were trotted up in front of vets on Friday and cleared to start.
