Race club investigates staff over alleged theft of alcohol and food

An investigation into employees of the Australian Turf Club who allegedly stole beer, wine and food from fridges and cold rooms at its racecourses has become a new front in the dispute between Sydney’s racing authorities.

It emerged on Thursday that the race club has been conducting a secret inquiry into claims of theft at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens racecourses by members of staff after a tip-off late last year.

A preliminary club investigation has uncovered stolen goods to the value of less than $5000, but the probe is ongoing, with up to 30 permanent and casual staff members to be interviewed and the race club analysing CCTV vision.

Six members of the ATC’s hundreds-strong workforce have already been stood down over the affair, in which beverages and food items for racetrack bars and function rooms were allegedly taken without permission.

“The moment we were made aware of these allegations I immediately ordered an investigation. We’re treating the matters seriously,” ATC chief executive Steve McMahon said.

“Large hospitality organisations often face these issues. Given that we’re still to finalise all investigations, it would be inappropriate for us to make further comment.”

The issue has become the latest flare-up in the ongoing feud between the ATC and Peter V’landys-led industry regulator Racing NSW, which has moved to sack the club’s board and place it in the control of an administrator, citing financial and governance concerns.

The ATC board is fighting its removal and will go head-to-head with Racing NSW in a two-day Supreme Court hearing next week to determine who governs the club, which owns Rosehill, Canterbury Park and Warwick Farm racecourses, and operates Randwick.

The allegations of stolen alcohol and catering items were brought up in court on Thursday after the ATC refused a request by Racing NSW to turn over financial information on hospitality and raced to court seeking an injunction.

Scott Robertson, SC, representing the ATC, told the court it was an example of “regulatory overreach”.

“Is this a regulator of horse racing, or is this a regulator of catering, including bars?” he asked.

“We say you’re not the regulator for the catering business. You’re not entitled to ask us about catering or non-event management”.

Michael Henry, SC, appearing for Racing NSW, said the organisation’s request for information was not prompted by catering but “quite the opposite”.

“It’s been prompted by the possibility of fraudulent activity within the ATC’s hospitality section which was occurring under their noses and which they’re now investigating,” he said.

Henry said Racing NSW wanted “to understand the length and breadth of it and who’s done what”.

Justice Francois Kunc, who will preside over next week’s hearing, said he would tackle the matter of whether Racing NSW should have access to such information after deciding whether its appointment of an administrator at the club was valid.

“I have enough on my plate as it is, whether it comes from the turf club kitchen or not,” he said.

The ATC has about 280 full-time employees and between 800 and 1200 casual staff on its books.

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