ATC Goodwill Day

This Saturday 26 March brings us the first ATC Goodwill Day at Rosehill Gardens. Your AJC Member Card and Guest Card will give you admission onto the course and into the Members' Stand.

All visiting members can enter the exclusive prize draw to win a $1,000 Tab betting voucher on the day you attend.

You can collect and complete your entry form for the daily $1,000 Tab voucher competition from the Concierge on Level 2 of the Members' stand, and put it straight into the barrel prior to Race 5..

In addition, all visiting members and dual members will automatically go in the draw to win an amazing Sydney Spring Racing experience featuring an invitation for four to enjoy "invitation only" hospitality in the committee room, a $500 TAB betting voucher, and limousine transfers on BOTH Golden Rose Day at Rosehill Gardens and Epsom Super Saturday at Royal Randwick during the Spring Carnival.

Prize drawn and announced on Satuday 11 June 2011, June Stakes Day.

A complimentary coach for Members will leave the Members' driveway at 11 am and return to Randwick 1/2 hr after the last race. Bookings are essential and may be made by telephoning 9963 8419 or email. 

Also some fantastic dining is still available, including the Winning Post Restaurant and Champagne Bar.  Phone 9930 4000 to enquire or book.
 

Sunday Racing - Warwick Farm 27 March

Racing returns to the Farm this Sunday when we will present an 8 race card. The first race is at 12.43 pm and the last at 17.08 pm.

The free interactive circusworks tent will return to entertain the kids throughout the day!

There will be no coach running on Sunday, so if you are driving, access to the Members Car Park is via Gate C on the Hume Highway, or from Governor Macquarie Drive.

Early Morning Trackwork and Breakfast

See the stars of the Sydney Carnival go through their paces at this exclusive opportunity for Members and their guests to experience early morning trackwork whilst mixing with the trainers in the week leading up to the 150th AJC Derby.

Tuesday, 5 April 2011, commencing at 6 am, Infield Royal Randwick Racecourse

Light breakfast to be served in the infield and Members may park on the Main Drive off Alison Road.

This event is complimentary to Members and their guests, however your RSVP is essential to reserve your place, please respond no later than Friday, 1 April 2011 to Jo Balzen by email or contact our Membership Department on 02 9663 8419.
 

Col Tuck's Racing Review

The second day of the Sydney Carnival at Rosehill Gardens is highlighted by the 2nd Leg of the Three Year Old Triple Crown the Flinders Lane Rosehill Guineas. The Group 1 Guineas will see the first Australian appearance by New Zealand Derby winner Jimmy Choux plus the Australian Guineas winner Shamrocker. This will be a defining race for both horses to ascertain whether they continue to the 150th Derby or run in alternate races. Other quality entries in the race include Victorians Absolutelyawesome, Anacheeva and Domesky whilst Sydney will be represented by Praecido, Retrieve and Shootoff amongst a host of chances.

Saturday is also the last chance for Two Year Olds to claim a start in the AAMI Golden Slipper Stakes by winning the last of the qualifying events being the Magic Night Stakes and Pago Pago Stakes. The Keith Nolan Classic which was due to be run at the abandoned Kembla Grange race meeting last Saturday has also been added to the meeting so all races now carry Group or Listed status.

The feature racing does not end on Saturday with the Group 2 Challenge Stakes to be held at Warwick Farm on Sunday. Entries for this race include the Group 1 winner Hay List, Master Harry who won the Group 2 Royal Sovereign Stakes at Randwick last month, Sister Madly and Shellscrape.
 

ATC Historical Society Donations

Recently former jockey Ray Selkrig generously donated the saddle on which he rode his six derby wins to the AJC Heritage Society.

Last week the society was given a World War 2 photo that is a fascinating record, not only of punting as a pastime in the armed forces, but of a special race.

When 92-year-old Neil Glasser was ordered a few weeks ago by wife Nina to ‘clean up his stuff’ he came across a small forgotten photo of bare-chested men gathered round an improvised blackboard on the deck of a ship. Although not interested in racing, Neil Glasser could see that the names and numbers chalked on the board referred to a horserace, the Peter Pan Handicap. It was not until Mr Glasser had the photo enlarged that he realised he was one of the fifteen men in the group. The men were on a troopship bringing them home from the Philippines in 1945.

It was close to raceday, Saturday 13th October, for whoever had drawn up the board had got the names of the final acceptors right, although he had slipped up here and there with the odds and the weights of the 11 starters. The winner of the inaugural and only running of the AJC Peter Pan Handicap for three-year-olds at Randwick was Silent. The Jimmy Munro-trained gelding won by a head from Victory Lad, with stablemate Tahmoor a length away third.
 

Vale

Raymond Griffin, who passed away recently.  Raymond had been a member since 1990.  Our sympathies to Mrs Griffin and the family.

David Jones AJC Australian Derby Day

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the AJC Derby on Saturday 9th April 2011 at Royal Randwick, five of Australia's Derby racing identities reflect on one of Autumn Racing's greatest races.

Each week you can see two of the Derby greats in a video interview talking about their memories and experiences of the esteemed AJC Derby.

This week watch the introduction and Bart Cummings.