Trainers threaten to challenge use of racecourse for World Youth Day

Published: 2007-07-05

SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) -- Horse trainers have threatened to legally challenge the use of Royal Randwick Racecourse near Sydney as the venue for the World Youth Day 2008 vigil and papal Mass. The Randwick Trainers Association unanimously voted July 4 to explore legal avenues to stop the racecourse's use for 10 weeks next year and challenge the right of the racecourse tenant, the Australian Jockey Club, to negotiate the deal with the World Youth Day Committee without their consent. Anthony Cummings, president of the association, said legal advice "suggested the (Australian Jockey Club) chairman would be acting outside his charter to sign a document that would host another enterprise to the exclusion of racing and training at Randwick." Claiming that the New South Wales state government and World Youth Day Committee lack "knowledge of the process and training" at the racecourse, Cummings said he would not rule out the trainers' right to sue for compensation should the trainers incur financial disability.

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