Applicants from the United States, England and New Zealand are among a group of 36 people chasing the position vacated by Ian Hart earlier this month.

“We’ve had 50 expressions of interest and 36 official applicants for the position,’’ BJC chairman Brendan Drechsler said on Wednesday.

“Because it’s such a big field we’ve engaged local company ESE Consulting and they’re working through them all.

“They will shortlist the field and then we’ll sit in on the interview process.

“We’re delighted with the quality of the applicants. We’ve received applications from Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia and some overseas applicants from New Zealand, England and the United States.”

Drechsler said he was not surprised by the amount of interest in the CEO position.

“I might be biased, but I think it’s one of the plum jobs in country racing in Australia,’’ Drechsler said.

“To be the CEO of the Bendigo Jockey Club is a wonderful position."

Drechsler said Hart’s replacement has big shoes to fill.

“We had James Heddo come to Bendigo from Townsville and he did a great job as CEO before taking up the same role at Gosford because he wanted to return to New South Wales,’’ Drechsler said.

“To replace James we were able to secure Ian Hart from South Australia and Ian did a fantastic job over the six years he was here.

“The club is in a strong position, we’ve recorded a good profit this year and the Bendigo Cup and Golden Mile Raceday are getting bigger and better each year.”

Acting CEO Peter Bull will remain in charge for Sunday’s Christmas meeting.

“It is going to take us longer than first anticipated to find a replacement for Ian,’’ Drechsler said. 

 “We have a quiet period for racing in January because we always do a track renovation at that time of year.”

Sunday’s BJC meeting is part of a Christmas bonanza with the Bendigo Harness Racing Club. Racegoers who attend Sunday’s BJC meeting and Monday afternoon’s BHRC meeting can enter a draw to win a $2000 shopping voucher at Danny Clapp The Good Guys.