October
DecemberNow is the time
Leo Tobin (19/12) thinks Racing NSW would be better served improving the tracks it has than selling up and relocating, and normally I would agree with him.
On this occasion though I think the “super track” idea has merit, even if it does come from a jockey (Glen Boss).
There’s no doubt that assets such as Canterbury and Warwick Farm in suburban Sydney are valuable and shouldn’t be relinquished without careful thought, but is racing getting bang for its buck from them?
If both continue to be utilised mainly for “product” racing, their proximity to potential paying customers will be wasted.
Yes, Canterbury has night racing, but if the proposal to install lighting at Randwick goes ahead (which it should), why persist at Canterbury?
It’s hard to escape the conclusion that Sydney would be better served, as Boss suggests, by a multi-track option out of town — like Sandown in Melbourne, but with the two tracks entirely separate and further out to reduce the price.
The time to get moving on the idea is now. With this year’s pandemic proving that telecommuting is not only feasible but desirable, the trend will surely be towards regional living, meaning that the relative value of assets such as Canterbury and Warwick Farm versus any potential greenfields site is likely to decrease rather than increase.
The sooner Racing NSW acts, the more likely it will end up with two pristine “product” tracks for the punters as well as a healthy boost to its future fund.
Glebe (NSW)