Facility Notes: Grand Party Opens Randwick Racecourse's New Grandstand

The Australian Turf Club "launched its new Royal Randwick grandstand" Thursday night with "a stunning gala party and sitdown dinner attended by some of the biggest names in racing and biggest race fans in the country." Actress Rachel Griffiths spearheaded a "stellar" guest list which also included radio commentator and Royal Ascot enthusiast Alan Jones, Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing and Arts George Souris, Arrowfield's John Messara, Gai and Robbie Waterhouse and Frances and Bridget Abbott (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 10/11). ... Nigeria national football team coach Stephen Keshi "has become embroiled in a new row as he criticised the pitch at the refurbished National Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria, as bad for football, before rowing back on his comments" Wednesday. Keshi ''clarified'' his earlier comments on the pitch of the National Stadium, saying the pitch was "not bad" -- but "a lot needed to be done to improve its standard" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 10/10).