LOCAL BUSINESSWOMEN JOIN ILLAWARRA TURF CLUB BOARD

ON the eve of Kembla Grange’s flagship race, Illawarra Turf Club has announced the appointment of two new independent Directors.

Tracy Paterson and Nikki Aitchison bring a wealth of experience, energy and fresh perspectives to the Board.

The women were officially appointed this week following an extensive application process involving a selection panel wity representatives from the ITC, RacingNSW and a local business leader.

Each will serve a three-year term alongside reappointed Director and Chairman Mark Sleigh.

Tracy Paterson, a Wollongong local, is executive general manager NSW/ACT and head of regional sales for Southern Cross Austereo, following 15 years in management and sales roles at WIN Television.

“Having seen how much this club gives back to our community, I am proud to contribute to its ongoing success,” Ms Paterson said today.

“The ITC has a clear vision to be a premium, innovative and industry-leading race club and entertainment venue, and I’m looking forward to supporting the team with my experience.”

Nikki Aitchison is an accomplished hospitality and business leader with more than 20 years’ experience. She is publican and director of the Illawarra Hotel and has twice been recognized with Illawarra Women in Business awards.

“This opportunity fills me with pride and excitement as it brings together everything I’m passionate about – hospitality, entertainment and customer service,” Ms Aitchison said.

“I’m eager to contribute to an experience that’s welcoming, vibrant and community focused, and to helping shape the future of a club that means so much to so many.”

ITC chairman Mark Sleigh welcomed the appointments.

“Nikki and Tracy bring outstanding energy and experience in their respective fields which will benefit the club,” he said.

“We are in the entertainment industry, creating experiences and memories is our core business, and their expertise will strengthen our ability to deliver on that promise.”

. More than 7000 patrons are expected to converge on Kembla Grange racecourse on Saturday for the metropolitan stand-alone meeting, featuring the $1m Group 3 Illawarra Mercury The Gong (1600m).

The feature event has attracted some of the country’s best “milers”, headed by last year’s winner Gringotts.

Unfortunately there are no local representatives in The Gong, with Rob and Luke Price’s Our Gold Hope and Kerry Parker’s Well Timed both missing the cut.

Instead, both horses will contest the “consolation” Benchmark 88 Handicap over the same distance.

Tommy Berry, who rides Newcastle’s Tavi Time in The Gong, rides Our Gold Hope and Gringotts’ rider Nash Rawiller partners Well Timed.

Victorian trainer Paul Preusker withdrew last year’s The Gong placegetter Steparty when he drew poorly, and he will stay at home to line up in Saturday’s $500,000 Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m).

Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, as well as Tavi Time, also accepted with 2023 runner-up Loch Eagle, but he also drew off the track.

As a precaution, Lees also accepted with Loch Eagle for the Mooloolaba Cup (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast metropolitan meeting.

. Gringotts is an even more dominant favorite at $2.10 with TAB.com.au after drawing well enough, whilst second favorite Estadio Mestalla eased to $6.50 after drawing near the outside.

Last week’s successful The Hunter trainer Joe Pride has intimated a change of tactics will be employed on Estadio Mestalla by going forward to try to take a position rather than settling back in the field.