New Racing Queensland appointments

Announcing the appointments, Racing Queensland CEO Eliot Forbes said it was important that the organisation expanded and enhanced its commercial capability in a number of specific areas.

“These senior appointments will align the executive skills of Racing Queensland with the emerging strategic and commercial focus that is required, as well as addressing some short and long-term vacancies We were delighted with the quality of applicants the various positions attracted from around Australia and overseas. The collective experience and qualifications of the successful applicants will significantly complement and enhance the existing Racing Queensland team.

“Since my appointment some 12-weeks ago, the new Board and I have been on a fast-track to ensure Racing Queensland is able to deliver on its key responsibilities, and to ensure that the organisation can realise the Board’s ambitious plans to provide outstanding outcomes for the Queensland racing industry,” he said.

The appointments are:

• Chief Financial Officer Justine Henwood

Ms Henwood was the CFO at Crown Melbourne Limited for seven years, and was CFO at Burswood Limited (now Crown Perth) prior to that. Most recently she was Deputy CFO of NagaWorld Ltd based in Cambodia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange-listed NAGACORP. She has extensive experience in corporate governance and the development and execution of commercial strategy, particularly for the gaming sector.

• General Manager Sales and Marketing Adam Coward

Mr Coward has extensive sales and marketing experience across a range of companies. He joins Racing Queensland from Tourism NT where he was the Executive Director Global Marketing and Communications, managing a $30 million budget covering research, marketing, digital, social, product development, distribution and communication strategy. He has also worked in various senior consumer marketing roles for Westfield, Virgin Blue and Colorado.

• General Manager Infrastructure Paul McDonnell

Mr McDonnell has 31-years experience as a property management professional, with specific experience managing heavy industrial and commercial property assets across a range of sectors. For the past five years he was General Manager Property at the Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd. Before that he was the National Asset Manager for the Cromwell Group and Planning Manager for PMM Group Pty Ltd.

• General Manager Racing Simon Stout

Mr Stout is an experienced racing manager, with an extensive industry background. He is currently the Thoroughbred Code Development Manager for Tasracing, Tasmania’s principal racing authority. He has also acted in the Tasracing Racing Manager position for periods, overseeing the three codes of racing in that state. A recent MBA graduate from Deakin University, prior to Tasracing he was Senior Manager / Assistant Trainer at Hudson Conway Racing – Macedon Lodge, where he worked closely with high-profile owners Lloyd and Nick Williams.

OSCIETRA, the first foal of champion sprinter Black Caviar, could make her debut at Moonee Valley in Melbourne on New Year's Eve, reports racing.com.

The 2YO filly by Exceed And Excel, who has been aptly named Oscietra after one of the world's most prized and expensive types of caviar, was scheduled to make her second public appearance in a 900 m at Flemington on Friday, December 23.

"Depending on her trial, we are tossing up between Moonee Valley [New Year's Eve] and [Flemington] New Year's Day," said co-trainer David Hayes who prepares the valuable filly with son Ben and nephew Tom Dabernig. Oscietra looked to have inherited plenty of her mum's speed when winning her first Flemington jump-out on December 9.

CROWDS flocked to Flemington throughout the recent 4-day carnival – all 318,854 of them. Emirates Stakes Day continued to grow with 70,351 coming through the turnstiles for the final program.

That overall attendance was up on the 2015 carnival figure as they watched 511 horses competing in 37 races for a share of $18 million in prizemoney. Aside from the $6 million Emirates Melbourne Cup, there were five other $1 million plus events: the $2 million Emirates Stakes, $1.5 million AAMI Victoria Derby, $1 million Crown Oaks, $1 million Darley Classic and $1 million Cantala Stakes. Ultimately the races were divided between 21 individual trainers and 22 jockeys.

Broadcasting reached new heights as well with Channel 7’s coverage capturing a new audience via its live stream of the Melbourne Cup on Twitter, with #MelbourneCup trending #1 world wide. Furthermore, Seven’s live coverage reached 2.955 million viewers around Australia.