In the splendid surrounds of the Coolmore thoroughbred stud NSW Opposition leader, Labor’s Luke Foley, enjoyed the chance to talk about all things racing.
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Mr Foley was at the Jerrys Plains stud for its annual stallion parade where the stars on the day had four legs and an almighty sense of their own importance and worth. A keen supporter of the racing industry Mr Foley was joined by the member for Port Stephens and opposition spokesperson for the Hunter Kate Washington.
And while walking on the manicured lawns of Coolmore Mr Foley stressed the importance of the horse racing industry to the state’s economy. “I am a great supporter of the industry and attend race meeting regularly,” he told The Argus. Given the dispute between the Hunter’s thoroughbred industry and Anglo American’s plans to expand their Drayton South open cut Mr Foley said the studs can thrive if the mines are 7-8kms away but not when they are 800m away from their boundaries. “I don’t see coal mining as evil but they can’t comprise another industry,” he said. “We need balanced planning so the three industries mining, equine and viticulture can all prosper.”