Peter's up in arms...Peter Mair, one of the most consistent voices of dissent from the punting ranks, has come out with all guns blazing to cast doubt on the NSW Govt's latest money-munching plan. PM says: 'The suggestion that an incoming NSW Government is about to sanction the borrowing of $175 million to rebuild metropolitan racetracks is absolute nonsense - not a hope in Hades. It will be interesting to see how this merger-magic is reported in the mainstream media...As of now, however, the AJ

Peter's up in arms...Peter Mair, one of the most consistent voices of dissent from the punting ranks, has come out with all guns blazing to cast doubt on the NSW Govt's latest money-munching plan. PM says: 'The suggestion that an incoming NSW Government is about to sanction the borrowing of $175 million to rebuild metropolitan racetracks is absolute nonsense - not a hope in Hades. It will be interesting to see how this merger-magic is reported in the mainstream media...As of now, however, the AJC and STC should take this proposal with a grain of salt - welcome all it implies perhaps but defer a finally-implemented decision on a merger until after the coming election when they can present the incoming government with a credible business plan . The risk is about merging prematurely under the influence of a politically inspired infrastructure proposal that is just not credible - a proposal from a government on the ropes about an industry on the ropes allowing a board of RacingNSW on the ropes to take control of a merged entity that will immediately be on the ropes, and defenceless. Among other things -- forget TVN, cancel Canterbury and welcome oblivion.

Peter Mair goes on to say: 'I would place no credibility in this merger-magic-madness actually going ahead, even with work supposedly to start later this year. It is improper for a government about to be relegated, dumped at the tip, to attempt to compromise the incoming administration. With not a hope in Hades of the $175m injection actually going ahead, the cheap ploy here is to draw the incoming government into a debate that is critical to the political fate of racing electorates -- the racing industry is being used, as usual. Does anyone seriously expect Trackside ( virtual racing game) to attract the turnover to service and repay an investment of $175 million - the Trackside take won't even pay the interest and, not reformed, the industry will be bankrupt and unable to repay anything anyway.'

Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily has performed well in a jumpout at Flemington. She won her 800m heat on a slow surface with Harry Hillier in the saddle. Simon Zahra, who trains the filly in partnership with Mathew Ellerton, says Crystal Lily's effort pleased the stable.