Australian Horse Racing Clubs Want Money For Track Renovations From Governing Body

Cash-flow problems are on the agenda again while the Australian Turf Club's bid to "have an all-weather circuit installed at Randwick gains momentum," according to Craig Young of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. ATC "has asked Racing New South Wales to help fund a Strathayr track" to replace the secondary Kensington circuit headquarters. There "has not been a response from the racing regulator as it puts the finishing touches and financial costings to its statewide racetrack redevelopment scheme." There are about 30 tracks seeking a slice of the $100M-plus booty Racing NSW banked after the High Court "ruled in favour of the state government's racefields legislation." Just which of and how much these handout-chasing clubs receive is "in the hands of Racing NSW heavies" -- Chair John Messara and CEO Peter V'landys (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 7/23).

HEINEKEN CUP: Meanwhile, the IRISH EXAMINER's Barry Coughlan reported the Irish Rugby Football Union's annual council was told that "the uncertain future of the Heineken Cup is a significant risk to the IRFU's finacial health." English and French clubs have placed the competition under threat by "signalling their intent to withdraw" at the end of the '13-14 season. The clubs are "unhappy with the current structure and the qualifying process." European Rugby Cup income improved by €1.8M ($2.3M) for the union last year, contributing to a €7.8M ($9.5M) surplus (IRISH EXAMINER, 7/21).