With over 30 years of sports turf management experience behind him, Brabender’s appointment was a simple choice for the Race Club, and he will bring a fresh perspective to the role. 

“[I have] 25 [years of experience] on bowling greens, and about 12, 13 years as a teacher,” Brabender said. 

On Wednesday morning, the appointee was welcomed to the club by a number of high-ranking officials within Racing NSW circles, including Greg Carmody (track manager of Canterbury Park), Shaun Patterson (assistant track manager at Rosehill Gardens), and Lindsay Murphy (Australian Turf Club general manager). 

All three visitors, along with Goulburn Race Club president Ken Ikin, gathered to offer their experience to Brabender, who is new to the racing industry. 

“He’s got a great turf background, which is a big thing,” Murphy said. 

“Being able to grow the grass is a massive help for what the Race Club needs. We’re trying to help today primarily with how that fits into a racecourse.

“There’s things like the moving of the rail and the timing of the irrigation and the rating of the tracks … that’s something that comes of experience.” 

Brabender’s appointment ended a six month search process which had been run by the Race Club, and Ikin said that it was pleasing to have someone with such thorough qualifications in charge.

“We had to find the right man, and I believe we have,” he said. 

“The timing is great to have a new track manager.” 

Indeed, Brabender began the job in the midst of the busiest month on the Race Club’s calendar. He started officially last Wednesday, November 7, a mere three days before the Girls Day Out, which drew a crowd of nearly 4,000 patrons. 

“It was massive, it was a good eye-opener,” Brabender said of his first weekend on the job. 

“I think if you’re chucked in the middle of winter, you’re not learning anyway.” 

While he is new to the professional world of track management, Brabender grew up watching racing with his father and is eager to begin working in the industry. 

“I grew up in racing, as far as the love of it, with me Dad,” Brabender said. 

“It’s not unfamiliar to me, as far as the sport goes … it’s just management, day-to-day management [which I will need to become familiar with].” 

The learning process will be all the easier thanks to the connections Brabender made on Wednesday. 

“He’ll know us, so we’re always just a phone call away and he won’t hesitate to give any of us a call,” Murphy said. 

The Race Club’s next event will be the Goulburn Cup on Sunday November 25.