Plonka gives Gavenlock first Sydney win

While Racing NSW and Racing Victoria already have introduced a prizemoney levy and have been seen to be proactive with horse welfare in recent times, this would be another positive step for an industry still feeling the effects of the horrendous ABC 7.30 Report showing horses being ill-treated in a Queensland abattoir.

Racing Australia chairman Greg Nichols said that a national levy would help finance an expansion of Thoroughbred aftercare programs.

Following a recent meeting of state and territory Thoroughbred racing authorities, a number of immediate initiatives were identified including the levy.

Others include strengthening industry rules and penalties on ownership, location, and retirement destinations of Thoroughbreds; working with governments to ensure the introduction of a National Traceability Register; upgrading racing's technology platforms to simplify participants' ability to comply with the industry's equine welfare rules; and to promote the Thoroughbred industry's welfare policies and practices.

"Racing Australia and the state racing authorities are keen to work with federal, state and territory governments to achieve the changes needed to provide better outcomes for Thoroughbreds after they leave our industry," chair of Racing Australia's Equine Welfare Committee, Steve Wilson said.

While popular hoop Glen Boss was "riding high" partnering Kolding to win the inaugural $7.5 million Iron Jack Golden Eagle event, in an earlier Rosehill race Warren Gavenlock prepared his first Sydney winner when Plonka won the TAB Highway Handicap on Saturday.

Gavenlock trains a small team at Coffs Harbour, Plonka among them, who is an Epaulette four-year-old gelding who has had three wins and two seconds from seven starts.

Not finding a new owner when offered at the Scone Yearling Sale, Plonka then sold via the Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale for $85,000.

It should be noted that 10 per cent of the $7.5m prizemoney from the Golden Eagle is donated to charities and chosen by each of the 16 runners.

On the back of Kolding's win, the National Jockeys Trust will be given $410,000 from the gelding's triumph, while Dementia Australia, chosen by Sunlight's owners, receives $150,000, while third placed horse Mizzy was racing for Ronald McDonald House who will receive $75,000.

The racing industry said goodbye to former celebrated jockey Glenn Pickwick at his funeral at Rookwood, following his passing at his home in Sydney last week.

Beginning his riding career in south-east Queensland in the late 1970s, he moved to Grafton on the NSW North Coast.

Glenn's outstanding horsemanship was quickly recognised, and he became a leading apprentice.

Following much success, Glenn transferred his indentures to leading conditioner, Neville Begg at Randwick where he secured more winners at Sydney's four metropolitan tracks.

During that time jockey weights were scaled down to lesser minimums, so city riding opportunities became harder to secure, and with his increasing weight, he began travelling to country circuits on a regular basis.

While experiencing Sydney success and riding about 250 winners, Glenn's face became a regular feature at the country meets.

One of the last links to Star Kingdom - the great sire that changed the face of Australian breeding when the Irish bred horse was imported in the early 1950s, was recently lost with the death of Scone identity Connie Phillips at age 100.

While Star Kingdom ruled from the base of the stallion's yards at Baramul Stud in the Widden Valley, Connie ran the homestead for its owner, Alfred Ellison, and entertained visitors to see the stallions.

Among Star Kingdom's visitors included Stanley Wootton, the Australian born horseman who lived in England and who sent the chestnut stallion to Australia.

One of three owners of Star Kingdom, Wootton also had a number of mares at Baramul and bred some of Australia's fastest horses of the times including the notable Todman, Noholme, Biscay and Bletchingly.

Mr Ellison sold Baramul in 1984 and moved to a small farm, Kilwinning, which was located next door to the Scone racecourse retaining Connie Phillips as housekeeper.

Mrs Phillips was a valuable component of Hunter Valley breeding an input recognised in 1996 when she was presented with the Hunter Valley Breeders' Association's President's Award.