Racing Confidential: The leading contenders to replace Peter McGauran as ATC chairman
The Australian Turf Club board will vote on a new chairman and vice-chair at the end of the month in the wake of Wednesday's surprise resignation of incumbent Peter McGauran.
McGauran announced his decision this week to vacate his post as chairman and director on the board prior to the expiration of his term in January, 2026.
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The decision comes in the wake of the ATC's failed bid to sell Rosehill Gardens racecourse, of which McGauran was a staunch advocate, following a members vote in May.
McGauran labelled the decision 'a lost opportunity for the club' after 56.1 per cent of members said 'no' to the sale.
It led to a petition from the Save Rosehill group calling on McGauran to resign – a fate which has now become a reality.
Six directors will remain on the board including current vice-chair Tim Hale as well as Ben Bayot, Caroline Searcy, Natalie Hewson, David McGrath and Annette English.
All directors will have the opportunity to contest for the chairman seat at their next board meeting, slated for July 28, with McGauran also set to get a vote before departing his post.
Hale and McGrath are understood to be the leading candidates vying for the chairman role.
It will be up to the NSW Government and Racing Minister David Harris to determine if another director joins the board and who that may be after McGauran departs.
Tim Hale (left) and David McGrath (right) are believed to lead the race to replace departing ATC chairman Peter McGauran.
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FORD IN DOUBT AFTER FALL
Group 1 jockey Jay Ford escaped serious injury after falling at Canterbury Park on Wednesday but remains a 50-50 chance of riding at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Ford knocked his head when he came off Investment at the midweek meeting and had to be taken to hospital for further assessment.
He released late on Wednesday night but had to forgo his rides at Gosford on Wednesday as he continued to deal with a headache.
Ford has been booked for six rides on Saturday.
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KATSU WEIGHT CHALLENGE
Victorian raider Katsu would equal a modern day weight carrying record in Sydney if he was to lug the monster impost of 64kg to victory at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The Lindsay Park galloper was given the topweight of 66kg as a 90-rater in The Agency Real Estate Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m).
The 2kg claim of star apprentice Braith Nock gets him in with a slightly more manageable weight.
But history is against Katsu as no horse this century has carried 64kg to victory in a Sydney Saturday race.
Katsu will attempt to win with 64kg, which no horse has done in a Sydney Saturday race since 1997. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
It was way back on October 26, 1997 that Anthems defied the heavyweight task to score in a 3YOs and Up Two Handicap (1500m) with Rod Quinn aboard at Rosehill Gardens.
The John Hawkes-trained gelding was a two-time Group 1 winner as a juvenile.
The last horse to carry 64kg in Sydney was My Truth at Warwick Farm on June 12, 2023. He finished last.
On a Saturday, Mahagoni lumped the same weight to creditable sixth in the $500,000 Four Pillars at Rosehill Gardens on October 29, 2022.
Zoushack carried 64.5kg to salute at the midweeks at Warwick Farm on October 19 of the same year.
Katsu is a $4.60 chance to prevail this weekend.
Originally published as Racing Confidential: The leading contenders to replace Peter McGauran as ATC chairman
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