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One of NSW’s former leading trainers, Kerry Jordan, has joined the team at Racing NSW as ‘Racing Liaison Officer - Programming and Handicapping’.

Jordan brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise to Racing NSW which is certain to be welcomed by all participants.

“We are very pleased that Kerry has agreed to join us,” Racing NSW’s chief executive, Peter V’landys, said today. “Kerry will provide a go-to person for trainers and owners to converse with and discuss programs and handicaps.

“Kerry’s vast knowledge and experience at the industry coalface sees him very well equipped to manage the communication with the introduction of the new Benchmarking system set for 1st October 2009.

“He joins other industry professionals in Maurice Logue, Ron Quinton, Malcolm Johnston, Malcolm Fitzgerald and Jamie Whitney at Racing NSW. We are very pleased to have this array of industry experts as part of our team.”

Kerry’s role will encompass office liaison, trackwork and raceday visits to gather industry feedback. He will also assist with programming schedules in putting the trainer’s view clearly.

Kerry Jordan said today: “This is an exciting opportunity and I did not hesitate to take up the role once asked. I am pleased to be able to be involved in another area of an industry which has been my life interest.”

Kerry Jordan Profile:-
Kerry Jordan had plenty of success as a trainer based at Rosehill, winning some big races with gallopers such as Innocent King (AJC Derby and Rosehill Guineas), Hunter (AJC Metropolitan, Newcastle Cup and Hollindale Cup), Baryshnikov (Australian Guineas and Sandown Guineas), Mountain Rule (O’Shea Stakes), In The Event (QTC Grand Prix and Frank Packer Plate), Corndale (Hollindale Cup), Kenfair (BATC Sprint), two Wagga Cups with Greenback and Nobellotto, two Eagle Farm Stakes with Nobellotto and Zatella, a Tesio Stakes with Zatella and a Hawkesbury Guineas and a Hawkesbury Cup with Nias and Mr Impose, respectively.

Kerry closed his training operation in 2003 and has stayed involved in the Racing Industry operating Horsefabulous Products and Equipment with his partner Catherine.

PROFILES OF THE RACING NSW HANDICAPPING DEPARTMENT

Colin Nickson – Senior Handicapper 
With over 43 years in racing administration, 24 of those as handicapper, Colin Nickson brings a wealth of experience to the Racing NSW Panel. Assistant handicapper at the AJC for seven years, Colin was appointed to the role of chief handicapper after the retirement of Ken Goodwin in 1981, taking responsibility for weighting the Doncaster Handicap, Sydney Cup and all AJC feature races.

After seven years in the position he relocated to Singapore taking up a role as chief handicapper for the Malayan Racing Association; weighing all their feature and International races for the next three years.

Returning to Australia, Colin spent six years as secretary of the Central Districts Racing Association in country NSW, and another five years in handicapping and licensing roles with the AJC/NSW TRB. Four years as chief handicapper in Macau followed, where again his skills were required to handicap all feature and International carnival races. Colin was appointed as one of three senior handicappers in 2008 and adds a wealth of experience to the Racing NSW handicapping panel.

Brett Scelly – Senior Handicapper
Brett completed a B.App.Sci (Equine Science) and B.App.Sci (Agriculture) at Charles Sturt University before beginning his racing career as a cadet steward with Racing NSW for 18 months. Returning to New Zealand to take up a position as the manager of a Hawkes Bay Agronomics company, he quickly reunited with racing after 12 months, moving to Wellington to work for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Inc (NZTR) as a Handicapper.

Brett quickly moved to a senior role within the organisation, phasing in the transition to ratings handicapping in NZ and having responsibility for handicapping of feature race meetings such as the New Zealand Cup Carnival and Wellington Cup. After four years in the position with NZTR, Brett successfully applied for a senior handicapper position with Racing NSW in 2008 as one of three senior members of the panel.

Damien Hay – Senior Handicapper
Damien began his career in racing with two years at the AJC in the diversified role of Randwick Track Office attendant, assistant judge and betting supervisor. Moving to the handicapping department, he spent the next four years on the AJC/NSW TRB panel handicapping country and provincial events before moving to metropolitan handicaps.

Moving with his family to Queensland, Damien ran a very successful jockey management company for eight years with clients such as Darren Beadman, Danny Beasley, Zac Purton, Alan Cowie and Kathy O’Hara. He had earlier managed Chris Munce and Danny Beasley when in Sydney.

Relocating to Sydney in 2007, Damien spent two years as Sales Consultant with Canterbury BMW, a role that included substantial racing liaison as a BMW sponsor representative. With a desire to return to Racing, in 2009 Damien rejoined the handicapping ranks as a senior handicapper on the Racing NSW panel.

Ben Dunn – Handicapper
Ben’s first experience in racing was as a shareholder in a racehorse syndicate. He completed a Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) degree in 2008 at the University of Western Sydney including internments with Cricket NSW and the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation.

Combining his interest in racing with his degree, Ben commenced as a Cadet Handicapper at Racing NSW in 2008. Beginning with country maidens and form assessment training, he has since developed his skills to next handicap Provincial and Country races, applying form assessment under the guidance of the Senior Handicappers. Ben intends to combine the development of his handicapping skills and racing administration experience with his goal to complete a Masters degree in business within the next 5 years.

Shane Cuthbert – Cadet Handicapper
Shane joins the NSW Panel as Cadet Handicapper. Shane’s first experience in racing was as a regular at Sydney Turf Club race meetings where his father Noel is Clerk of Scales at Canterbury and Rosehill Gardens racecourses.

Shane completed his HSC in 2007 and shortly afterward gained employment with the Sydney Turf Club where he has performed several roles including track assistant and a Raceday role in the Judges box as assistant judge. With a desire to land a permanent role in Racing Administration, he takes on the Cadetship in the Racing NSW Handicapping Department having had a good entry level experience into racing.

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Keith Bulloch – General Manager Regulatory
Keith Bulloch is the General Manager responsible for the reporting lines of the handicapping department.

A former handicapper, Keith has over 20 years experience in racing administration including the Senior management of current portfolios such as Race Field Legislation, Licensed Persons, Registered Promoters (Syndicators), NSW Registrations – Leases-Transfers-Syndicates-Colours, Rules of Racing and Disciplinary hearings assisting Stewards, and formerly several other areas including Registrar of Racehorses, Industry Training and Race Dates & Programming.

Keith’s broad administration background sees him well placed to lead the Department in the implementation of the new Benchmark Merit Based Handicapping model set for 1 October 2009.