logo
Terrie Benfield is new Victorian Racing Integrity Commissioner

Terrie Benfield is new Victorian Racing Integrity Commissioner

Daily Telegraph29-05-2025

Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Racing Minister Anthony Carbines has appointed greyhound industry executive Terrie Benfield as the next Victorian Racing Integrity Commissioner.
The five-year appointment, starting this week, ends a six-month recruitment following the resignation of predecessor Sean Carroll, who was headhunted to spearhead racing integrity in Tasmania.
Benfield, a long-time public servant originally from a legal background, has held multiple positions at Greyhound Racing Victoria the past decade, including Executive General Manager Corporate and General Counsel.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
The independent Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner monitors integrity issues across thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing in Victoria.
It also oversees the integrity systems and processes of Racing Victoria, Harness Racing Victoria and Greyhound Racing Victoria.
'Terrie Benfield is highly respected within the Victorian racing industry, and she will bring a wealth of regulatory experience to the role,' Carbines said.
Originally published as Terrie Benfield appointed Victorian Racing Integrity Commissioner

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Shohisha's stunning win at Randwick highlights David Payne's mastery in training strategies
Shohisha's stunning win at Randwick highlights David Payne's mastery in training strategies

News.com.au

time32 minutes ago

  • News.com.au

Shohisha's stunning win at Randwick highlights David Payne's mastery in training strategies

The maestro David Payne has enjoyed a hugely successful training career by not following convention. So, we shouldn't have been surprised when Payne produced another training masterclass when Shohisha won the Drinkwise Mile Handicap (1600m). Payne's filly was jumping from 1100m straight to the tough Randwick 'mile' course and it seems most punters and form experts had put a line through her chances. Shohisha drifted in betting to start the rank outsider at $15 in a competitive seven-horse field but she finished powerfully wide out to score an exciting win. But Payne, who has trained over 100 Group 1 winners, didn't know what all the fuss was about. 'Shohisha has been looking for the mile, if it is in their genes, they will get the trip,' Payne said. 'It didn't worry me she was going from 1100m to 1600m because in South Africa and in England, that's the way they train. 'If you run a horse out of its comfort zone, they will struggle, it's common sense. 'I was a jockey and if you ride them in a 1000m race, you are pushing and pushing all the way. 'It's often a harder race than if you run them at 1400m or 1600m where they can settle.' Only a length separated the first six over the line with Shohisha ($15), ridden by Tom Sherry, came from a clear last on the turn and arrived late to win by a nose from Pippie Beach ($13) with Piggyback ($5.50) a half head away third. Where to look?! ðŸ'€ Four go to the line as one at Randwick, with Shohisha getting the bob in a thriller! @tomo_sherry @DPayneRacing @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 • Hidden Motive digs deep for narrow victory at Randwick Favourite Miss Kim Kar ($2.10) ran fourth but was beaten by only 0.14 of a length. Sherry admitted he was concerned about the slow early tempo set by Bright Red, ridden by Nash Rawiller. 'It's always a worry when you see Nash (Rawiller, Bright Red) in front,' Sherry said. 'There was not a lot of speed horses and he was taking complete control of the race but I still had confidence in my filly. 'Obviously, Mr Payne is a master at jumping them up massively in trip. From 1100m to 1600m is not an easy task. 'Off the slow tempo, I was able to utilise her turn of foot and I was extremely happy with her performance today. 'I have a lot of time for this filly, she has a great attitude. She attacked the line strongly, ran right through it, I'm sure she will get further and in better class, too.'' Shohisha improved her race record to three wins from just seven starts and although the filly obviously handles rain-affected tracks, Payne doesn't plan to keep her in training during winter. What a win by Thunderlips! 😮 âš¡ï¸� @AnnaRoper_ on board for @BBakerRacing ðŸ'� @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 • Dale ponders shot at Stradbroke with Front Page 'She's a nice filly and we will put her away for the spring now,'' he said. 'We will aim her at races like the Golden Pendant.' Meanwhile, emerging apprentice Anna Roper had a contender for ride of the day as she drove Thunderlips through the pack to win the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1400m). Thunderlips ($5) burst between runners to score by a long neck and deny jockey Ash Morgan his fourth winner of the day on Anythink Goes ($21) with Wooloowin ($51) running an improved race for third, a long neck further back. Trainer Bjorn Baker lauded Roper after the fast finishing win of Thunderlips. 'An excellent ride by Anna,' Baker said. 'She was able to overcome a wide gate and put him in a good spot. 'But he's a strange horse because it looks like he's only plodding but then he picks up late.' Roper said 'everything went to plan' on Thunderlips until the field reached the 600m. 'He was completely off the bit at the 600m and I was worried he wasn't going to find anything,' Roper said. 'But when the gap opened up at the 300m he wanted to sprint through it. He's hard work but it's nice to get the win on him.'

Oh Too Good secures first metro win for trainer Kevin Daffy at Flemington
Oh Too Good secures first metro win for trainer Kevin Daffy at Flemington

News.com.au

time33 minutes ago

  • News.com.au

Oh Too Good secures first metro win for trainer Kevin Daffy at Flemington

Kevin Daffy, 'Australia's smallest trainer with one horse', is now also a Flemington winner. Oh Too Good avenged a costly Flemington defeat last spring, touched off in the lucrative Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final, with a dominant victory on Saturday in the 1600m Benchmark 100. Oh Too Good could now return to Flemington next month for the Listed Winter Championship Final. 'It's indescribable. My first metro winner and to do it here at Flemington,' an emotional Daffy said. 'I wasn't really sure how she would go on the soft track. We all found out together today on a soft track – very pleasing it was a bit unknown – she's never run on a track other than a Good 4. A big win for trainer, owner and strapper Kevin Daffy who has one horse in work - Oh Too Good gives Ben Allen a Flemington double! @bennallen44 @FlemingtonVRC â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) June 7, 2025 'Not in my wildest dream (train a Flemington winner), winning her first race … (Pakenham maiden) was enough for me. 'Everything she has done since has been a bonus. I know how fortunate I am, as I know how tough this game is. I'm the smallest trainer in Australia with one horse. It's indescribable.' Oh Too Good has won five of 11 starts and banked $569,450 for part-owner Daffy and connections. The mare travelled sweetly in the run and burst clear in the straight to space Jimmy The Bear and Regal Vow. Favourite Jimmy The Bear, trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne, went back from a wide barrier and ultimately had too much ground to make up. Jockey Ben Allen, who sealed a double with the win after victory earlier on Miss Ole, endorsed Oh Too Good's Winter Championship Final potential. 'I was a little concerned coming up in trip because she didn't run out a strong 1400m (last start) but she had a few little issues that weren't right,' Allen said. 'Kev has done a great job, got her spot on. She was a different horse today, relaxed a lot better for me, handled the track perfect and when I went for her she was strong right to the line. 'Jimmy The Bear obviously looked like the one to beat, but he drew awkward and he can step slow so I thought he might have to go back, I always felt we might be in the better spot. 'It was going to take a good horse to pick us up especially with how strong she was.' â– â– â– â– â–

Joliestar storms home for thrilling last-stride victory in Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup
Joliestar storms home for thrilling last-stride victory in Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup

News.com.au

time36 minutes ago

  • News.com.au

Joliestar storms home for thrilling last-stride victory in Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup

The legend of Chris Waller went to a new level as the champion trainer combined with James McDonald to narrowly deny an extraordinary Queensland fairytale at Eagle Farm. Joliestar snatched victory from the jaws of almost certain defeat in the Kingsford Smith Cup to mow down Tony Gollan's Queensland bolter Zarastro and deny jockey Angela Jones her maiden Group 1. It gave Waller his 19th Group 1 of the season, breaking his previous record for the most Group 1 winners in a season in Australia. It was also the first time a female horse had won the Kingsford Smith since Sea Siren saluted in 2012 and Black Caviar a year earlier. But this was a race that was about far more than raw statistics. Just about everyone seemed to have it pegged as a clash between Newmarket Handicap champion Joliestar and Giga Kick, the former The Everest champion. But no-one told young Queensland jockey Jones, riding in just her third Group 1 race and only partnering Gollan-trained Zarastro because the race had been rescheduled from the washout a week earlier. Zarastro, having his first lash at a Group 1, fought like a caged tiger to head off a challenge from Golden Mile and he looked to be heading for an incredible triumph. Then came Joliestar from so far back that even McDonald thought it was a near impossibility, snatching an incredible last gasp win. Joliestar will almost certainly not contest next Saturday's Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, with owner Brendan Lindsay saying it's not on the cards. An EPIC finish in the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup sees Joliestar nab them right on the line to take her third Group 1! 🤩 @cwallerracing @mcacajamez @BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Sights will be set on a revenge mission in this year's The Everest after the Joliestar team felt the mare raced without any luck last year. Waller felt that what ended up being the winning move was McDonald getting Joliestar across ahead of Giga Kick in the early stages. But, watching the race, Waller still felt it was a tall order to be able to run down the leaders. • Dale ponders shot at Stradbroke with Front Page 'It's been hard to run the leaders down today but we discussed things pre-race and we couldn't change our racing pattern,' Waller said. 'James went straight across from the barriers and got in front of Giga Kick and one or two others and that was what probably won him the race. 'Joliestar was off the bridle at the 500(m) but her class got her home. 'We missed out on (winning) The Everest last year, so we would like to have another crack this year.' McDonald described Joliestar as a 'big rocket.' 'She wasn't entitled to win, but that's how good she is,' he said. 'When I looked up at the 600 (m) I thought I was OK. 'Then I got on my bike but as soon as I did that, the pace quickened and the margin went from five lengths turning for home to seven lengths. 'It just didn't feel like I was making ground. 'I was lucky I was on a proper horse, even though she didn't like the ground at Eagle Farm today.' • Sunrays ends stellar campaign as trainer resists Group 1 lure There has rarely been a happier second-placed finisher in a Group 1 than Gollan who was proud as punch of Zarastro which started as a $17 chance. 'He ran the race of his life, he was so tough,' Gollan said. 'He was beaten three times down the straight, but he kept putting his head out. 'I couldn't have been prouder of the horse, he hasn't raced in many weeks due to track conditions and things like that. 'Then to go down to such a good, strong race like that and race that well, I'm so happy. 'I knew we got beat on the line but it took a multiple Group 1 winner to beat him. 'I'm very proud of my horse and I'm very proud of Angela.' Giga Kick battled away but could only manage sixth while potential Stradbroke Handicap contender Rise At Dawn was fifth. The connections of Giga Kick said it was one of the few times in his career that he has produced a disappointing run.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store