AMALGAMATION. When the Australian Jockey Club, and the Sydney Turf Club, amalgamated in 2011, it was agreed that no racecourses would be closed for at least 10 years.

The situation now is one race club administering four race courses, plus the upkeep that continues to increase.

Most thought that Canterbury would go as it is no longer used for training purposes, but that now may not necessarily be so.

That was before the advent of the Championships last year when there was no suitable quarantine facility available in Sydney, visiting horses coming from abroad had no option but complete their quarantine at Werribee, then be transported to Sydney.

An equine veterinary hospital has since been built at Canterbury, and while the Championships are being sponsored, there is not likely to be any changes now.

Whilst the BMW was an actioned packed race at Rosehill on Saturday, resulting in a nail biting finish, the most exciting weight for age of the season, with the exception of the Cox Plate.

The winner, Hartnell, and runner up, the Japanese visitor, To The World, were superb, however, they over shadowed a few disappointments, not the least the Melbourne Cup winner, Protectionist, he didn’t flatter at any stage of the race.

He didn’t run on as expected over 2400 metres of the BMW, it is hard to imagine he is going to perform any better at 2000 metres of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The Sydney Cup of 3200 metres appears to be his best chance of winning a race in Sydney this Autumn, he is rising six and entires rarely improve at that age.