February/March Race Dates

Wednesday 10 February
Saturday 13 February - Royal Sovereign Stakes
Wednesday 17 February- Warwick Farm
Wednesday 24 February- Warwick Farm
Friday 26 February - Pink Stiletto Day 

Saturday 6 March -  Warwick Farm – Patinack Chipping Norton Stakes Day
Monday 8 March – Warwick Farm
Saturday 13 March, Royal Randwick Guineas
Thursday 18 March
Wednesday 24 March – Warwick Farm

Birthday card tickets may be used for all of the Saturday meetings above and your New Year Complimentary voucher offer finishes on 6 March.

Please note that the next date available to book in your birthday voucher is Saturday, 15 May 
 

Don’t even think about it...

A heads up to remind you that there will be random card audits held over the next few months. If your membership card is found in the possession of someone else the card will be confiscated and your membership will be at risk of being suspended. 

We don’t want you missing Carnival anymore than you do, so please remember, your membership card IS NOT transferrable.

Howzat! - Cricket Lovers

We are pleased to advise that AJC members will be given access to the One Day International Match on 12 February, and the Twenty20 Match on 23 February.

You must, however, submit your application form to the Sydney Cricket Ground by midday on the last working day prior to the commencement of each event.
The cost for an additional pass is $85 Adults and $45 Juniors.

All applications for tickets must be made on the SCGT booking form which may be downloaded from www.royalrandwick.com  Members, SCG Reciprocity.

When attending a match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, please visit the Members Match Day Office to the left of Gate A on Driver Avenue, Moore Park. 

The Tuckometer Report

Feature racing and top class horses return to Royal Randwick this Saturday with the staging of 3 Group 2 races. The Light Fingers Stakes for the 3-Y-Old Fillies features the Gai Waterhouse trained More Joyous winner of the Group 1 Flight Stakes in the Spring and placed in a recent barrier trial at Randwick. The Royal Sovereign Stakes has a strong list of nominations and will see the first raceday appearance of Manhattan Rain since his second in the 2009 Cox Plate. He will be opposed by the lightly raced Demerit, whose wins include the Caulfield Guineas Prelude and Queensland Sires Produce Stakes winner Shoot Out trained by John Wallace on the Gold Coast. The last of the Group 2 races is the Breeders Classic for Mares and Villiers Stakes winner Palacio de Cristal is amongst the entries as is the exciting Madam Pedrille trained by Darren Smith together with black type performers Strawberry Field, Chinchilla Rose, Prima Nova and Alverta.

The meeting is supported by the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes along with the Listed Canonbury Stakes for 2-Y-O Colts & Geldings and the Listed Widden Stakes for 2-Y-Old Fillies.

HORSES TO FOLLOW:

DOUBLE WHISKEY is a three year old trained by Chris Waller who is likely to make his presence felt in Saturday class sooner rather than later. He won a Maiden race against the bias at a Provincial meeting in mid January before he was next produced here at headquarters on the Kensington track when he made it win number two since a spell. He is now proven on firm ground and in softer conditions so it may not be too late to start following him.

YOGI isn’t a bear, well not in our case anyway. She is a three year old filly who had barrier trialed most impressively before she made her race day debut on the Kensington track last Friday. On the strength of the most pleasing trial, she was heavily backed to score but on the day she was inclined to race greenly when it counted most under pressure in the straight. Expect her trainer, Con Karakatsanis to iron out the problems with her. She looks a coming winner before too long.

PURDEY is in the care of the trainer of the moment Peter Snowden and his win last Friday on the Kensington track may’ve seemed merely “par for the course” as the Lonhro three year old had notched up a third placing and a win in two previous starts since resuming from his spell. However the soft track surface did raise a query or two with Purdey based on his albeit limited past form in the wet but he rallied when required and he can now be expected to more than hold his own against stronger opposition.
 

Patinack Chipping Norton Day at Warwick Farm.

Racing at Warwick Farm - 6 March

We are pleased to advise that there will be a complimentary Members' coach leaving Royal Randwick at 11.00am to Warwick Farm on 6 March for Patinack Chipping Norton Stakes. The coach will leave at 6.15pm returning to Royal Randwick.

This will be a popular day at The Farm, so ring the Membership ladies on 9663 8419 to book your seat on the coach.

Young Members - Stay Tuned

The AJC Young Members Advisory Council (YMAC) recently met for the first time in 2010 to plan a number of exciting events throughout the year for Young Members.

For those Members unfamiliar with the AJC YMAC, it is a group of young Members aged 18-34 years who are passionate about the sport of racing. The YMAC meet with the goal of increasing the young membership base and creating exciting events for current young Members.

In late 2009, the AJC called for additions to the council and on Australia Day the new YMAC met for the first time. The meeting was attended by CEO Darren Pearce and Board Member Julia Ritchie. During the meeting, nominations were called for positions within the Council with Danielle Denham elected Chairperson, Mitchell Stone Vice Chairperson, and Rohan Sawyer as Treasurer.

The Council looks forward to meeting fellow young Members at the next Young Members' event. 

Dates to Remember

Saturday 13 March

Take the opportunity to discuss the Club's plans and progress and air any concerns you may have with the Board, at the Members' Quarterly Information Meeting which will be held in the Derby Bar, Royal Randwick, at 10.30am, on Saturday 13 March.
A complimentary morning tea will be served from 10.30am.

Gates to the racecourse will be open for Members wishing to attend this meeting from 10.00am. The courtesy buggy will be operating from this time.

Sunday 14 March

The annual racing Mass (which many of you have attended in past years) is once more being held on Sunday 14th March 2010 as part of Sydney’s Autumn Racing Carnival at 11am at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church 4 Roma Avenue Kensington.

Drinks and light refreshments are served in the Church Hall after the Mass.

Details will be relayed to you in a few weeks, but whilst those diaries are out, here is something else for you to add and look forward to

6 April – Trackwork breakfast

7 April – Members Cocktail Party

13/14 May - Scone Cup trip 

Australia Day Honours

On behalf of the Chairman and the Board of the Australian Jockey Club we offer our congratulations to the following Members who have been honoured with Awards.

Member AM in the General Division

Mr Peter Phillip BRENNAN, Woolloomooloo – Service to Macarthur Region through a range of health, educational and social welfare organizations and to the housing industry.

Medal OAM in the General Division

Mr Ralph Willett LUCAS, Kensington – Service to Horseracing

50 Year Plus Members

On Saturday 30 January we had the privilege of hosting members who have had continuous membership for 50 years plus, shown above with Julia Ritchie and Vice Chairman John Cornish.

The gentlemen and their families enjoyed their  day and it is great to see the friendships rekindled from year to year.  Well done gentlemen.

Scone Cup - 13/14 May

 I am delighted to advise that bookings for this trip are consistent and it looks as if we will have a good crowd on board for our two day trip to visit studs and go to the Scone Cup.

So join us on our fully escorted annual trip to the Scone Cup.

• Air conditioned coach
• Stallion viewing and picnic lunch at Darley
• Bed and breakfast at the Mercure Hotel in the Hunter Valley with dinner at Lindemans.
• Stallion viewing and talk at Arrowfield Stud
• Scone racing package includes course entry and buffet luncheon with beer, wine and sparkling included.  This will be held on the Mezzanine level of the Stand which overlooks the mounting yard and winning post.  Fantastic viewing and a wonderful atmosphere.
• Chatswood or Randwick pickup.

I am also advised that there is a Fashions on the Field with all sorts of categories, otherwise dress is smart casual.

For further information please contact Barbara on 9663 8419 or btaylor@royalrandwick.com. The cost is approximately $550 single and $460 pp twin share.

The photo above shows members enjoying a picnic lunch prepared by our own Chefs and drinks at Darley Stud, who along with Arrowfield make us very welcome.

We will also be running some more day trips to provincial cups, and we will advise when these have been finalised.

Happy 2010 from only $1,800*

Choose from 40 destinations worldwide.

Celebrate the New Year with Emirates’ special Economy and Business Class airfares to 40 destinations throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Economy Class sale ends 8th March and Business Class sale ends 11th February, 2010. For travel from now until 30th November 2010.

AJC Members also receive an additional 6% discount on these fares.

Book now

Fly Emirates. Keep discovering.

* Airfares are inclusive of taxes and surcharges correct at 7th December. Prices quoted are for the low season. Other sale fares available at a higher rate. Terms and conditions apply.
 

Thanks

The family of  Michael Delaney has asked me to express their thanks for the many expressions of sympathy received from Members of the AJC.  Michael's funeral was attended by so many peoople that it is impossible for the family to have everyone's details and to thank you all personally.  On behalf of the family, they sincerely thank you and appreciate the friendship given by you all to Michael over the years.

By way of interest, the Michael Delaney Mile was won by Will to Win.  How appropriate is that?