After almost 50 years in the industry, Racing SA Track Manager John Tonani has decided the time has come to retire. His last official day will be on June 10 following a two month handover working alongside newly appointed Racing SA Track Manager Ian Ricardo.
“My wife is going to retire on June 10 so I decided we would go together,” John said.
“Now we’ve got grandchildren we want to watch the grandchildren grow up, and spend more time at Moonta Bay our holiday home and do a bit of fishing, golfing and relaxing up there.”
Tonani has been Track Manager at Racing SA for the past five and a half years, before that he spent 43 years at the SAJC.
“I started there at the age of 17 in December, 1974. Back in the old days we used to have the old wood pine rails instead of the plastic.
“I went there to do a job in my school holidays to paint running rails all the way around. And then they put me straight on doing track renovation at Morphettville laying turf on the training track where the Parks Track is now.
“Then I decided to leave school and my boss at the time said stay here until you find another job so I stayed and I stayed and I stayed.”
Tonani says what he’ll miss most about his job is the company of the many wonderful people he’s met in the industry. And the satisfaction he gets from a race meeting running smoothly.
“The day when Lord Reims won the Adelaide Cup for the third year in a row that was a highlight. And when Black Caviar came to Adelaide that’s really my greatest two highlights there.
“The preparation with Black Caviar coming over – we had to make sure everything was perfect, and we had a great crowd that day and there were no hiccups which was good.
“I’ve also loved getting to know volunteers, and all the people I’ve met travelling around the state and helping them out,” he said.
Tonani counts his replacement - Ian Ricardo - as a good friend. The duo previously shared an office at the SAJC and Ricardo is looking forward to taking over the role.
“I’m absolutely thrilled. At this stage of my career after 24 years at Moonee Valley and 11 years with the SAJC, to get an industry role now was a really big goal of mine,” he said.
“Although it’s happened fairly quickly and suddenly it’s fantastic, I’m over the moon about it.
“What I’m looking forward to now is getting out to the other tracks in South Australia with John during the handover, and getting to know all the other Track Managers and understanding their tracks and trying to support them in what they do.
“Hopefully I can pass on some of the experience I’ve had over the years. And just assist them and assist the industry in trying to put out as best track as we can for our industry here in South Australia.”
Racing SA CEO Nick Redin paid tribute to Tonani’s long standing service to the industry, and says Ricardo is a great fit to fill the role ensuring a seamless transition.
“John joined us in October 2016 after a long and distinguished career at the SAJC. For the past five and a half years he has provided guidance and input across the state to help lift the standard of our tracks, and will be missed by the entire industry.
“We are fortunate to have Ian joining Racing SA in April, which allows for a good handover from John, and Ian’s background and knowledge stands us in good stead going forward.”
Ricardo officially starts with Racing SA on April 11.
