Paul Rossiter takes the reins as new general manager of Albany Racing Club after spells in Bunbury and Broome

As Albany Racing Club’s season bursts out of the stalls on Sunday, new general manager Paul Rossiter can look forward to taking the reins for a busy season. Appointed on August 1 with a resume which included being chief executive of the Broome Turf Club and manager of the Bunbury track, Rossiter is the new face at the helm of a club which is busy turning things around after a troubled year. “We are putting the past behind us and looking to move forward,” he said. “We are hoping for a good race season, starting on Sunday where the fields have been well received by local and Perth trainers. “The main challenge so far has been the wet weather — we just need a few more hot spring days to allow the grass to grow.” Club president Alan Smith said they had got the right man in Rossiter. “We are very happy at the way it has worked out,” he said. “He has lots of experience from his time at Broome and Bunbury and he has done a good job so far. “Our aim this season is to continue racing all year and to get the community back involved.” On the agenda of both men will be getting hold of the $3.84 million windfall promised to the club in June’s State Budget. Earmarked for infrastructure at the Percy Spencer Racecourse, the course buildings need upgrading and work on the women’s toilets is required. After the welcome news of the budget bonus at the end of last season, Smith said he hoped design and planning could be completed by the time racing resumed — but he confirmed on Wednesday that work had yet to start. “We don’t actually know the protocol for getting the money and we have to wait for Racing and Wagering to get back to us, but it will all happen,” he said. During a difficult 2024-25 season, the club was suspended by Racing and Wagering WA in February because of “ongoing financial challenges” and the resignation of seven board members. That meant the meeting scheduled for February 21 had to be moved to Mt Barker, but racing was resumed in time for the prestigious $400,000 Wellington and Reeves Bluff Knoll slot race the following month. A new board, including former Labor politician Alannah MacTiernan, was put in place in early March. Sunday’s meeting is the first of 16 scheduled from November through to May. Also on the calendar are the traditional highlights: the Bluff Knoll, the Albany Cup, Fitzpatrick Plate and the popular Boxing Day meeting.