The progeny of Hunter Thoroughbred stallions will dominate the field of the world's and Australia's richest race on turf, the centerpiece of the NSW Spring Carnival, the inaugural $10 million Everest.
Representing 83 per cent of the Everest field, the progeny of Hunter Valley stallions from Arrowfield, Coolmore and Yarraman Park studs will stake their claims on Saturday to be the first winner of The Everest.
The Everest has attracted international interest with the build up being followed closely in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and America. Record crowds are expected at Royal Randwick, attracting visitors from interstate and around the world, providing a huge boost to the NSW economy ($100m) and jobs.
"The Hunter Valley's thoroughbred breeding industry is the powerhouse producer of racing champions in Australia and internationally recognised as a major source of Group 1 winners.
"We are world renowned for breeding and nurturing champion racehorses that are or can be become international sporting heroes. On the eve of this world class event for NSW we are troubled that despite our important role in breeding these champion Australian athletes, we have no certainty and no signal from the NSW Government that they value and want to keep and protect our future in the Hunter," Dr Collins said
"After six years of pain and uncertainty caused by numerous proposals to mine the Drayton South site and 4 PAC refusals, we are now facing the possibility of yet another application to mine this site and many more years of uncertainty," Dr Collins said.
"The decision for the NSW Government is very simple. Do they want to keep Australia's premier breeding industry, and key feeder industry to Australia's racing industry, in the Hunter or not?"
"We want a signal from the NSW Government that it will act on its promises to protect our industry. The Government should refuse to renew the Drayton South exploration licence,act to immediately to change the State Environmental Planning Policy to prohibit mining on the Drayton South site and deliver on its promises to genuinely protect the Hunter's equine critical cluster," Dr Collins said.
