IN his widely-read column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published by the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer TERRY BUTTS reports on the legacy of the Bob Bentley Board lingering on with the golden handshakes to four executives now the subject of an ASIC investigation.
Butts also reports on a blast for Bentley from out-going Townsville Turf Club Chairman Alan Parry in his annual report and how the club has rebounded from the brink of bankruptcy.
Here is the Butts column:
THE BOB BENTLEY LEGACY LINGERS ON LONG AFTER HE HAS GONE
THAT dreadful legacy of Bob Bentley and his infamous regime just won’t go way.
It has wafted all over the state, found its way to the CMC (Crime and Misconduct Commission) and now into the offices of ASIC (the Australian Securities and Investments Commission).
An investigation is under way into the Golden Handshake deal accepted by four senior salaried staff of Racing Queensland Limited who resigned just before the State election.
In the wake of a change in Government they would have been sacked anyway – of that there is no doubt.
They were each paid their lawful entitlements. But was the $1.9 million sanctioned by Bentley and his Board, legally part of that entitlement?
That is the question being asked by every racing man in the State?
Then there is at least one other court case looming that involves a former senior steward forced out by RQ in controversial circumstances.
This is a court case that threatens to blow the lid on the operations of the Integrity Department under Orchard, who was one of the recipients in that $1.9 million deal which has angered the industry.
OUT-GOING TOWNSVILLE CHAIRMAN BLAMES BENTLEY FOR CLUB WOES
ABOMINABLE Bob copped another savage serve in the Townsville Turf Club annual report which went to members last week.
In reference to the Bentley regime, out-going Chairman Alan Parry said this: “Probably the less said about the old regime the better. They did this club no favors despite many promises.
“On five separate occasions RQL made promises leading up to the election of funding to our club ranging from $6.4 million to $15 million.
“We didn’t get a cent.
“It as just political propaganda made to shore up the ALP.”
Parry, who will resign at the AGM this week after 15 years as Chairman, said the “final disgraceful act was the payment to the four henchman of his Bentley led Board.”
He said that when Bentley took over 10 years ago it was a tremendous opportunity to unite the industry and move forward.
“Instead it was 10 years of creating division, and of wasted money on failed projects and costly litigation, and in reality achieved little to benefit the grass roots of the racing industry.
Parry told members that in 2005 the Townsville Turf Club had more than half a million in the bank. “Then Bentley changed the basis of club funding and gave us predominantly unprofitable Tuesday TAB race meetings.
“I told him the changes would make $200-$300,000 a year difference. He said ‘don’t worry RQL will make up the difference.’
“Like every other promise we got nothing,” Parry said.
DRAMATIC FIGHT BACK BY THE TTC FROM THE VERGE OF BANKRUPTCY
BUT the news to members was not all bad. Townsville Turf Club continued its dramatic fight back from the verge of bankruptcy in 2010 to post a credible $325,000 trading profit last year.
Parry cited the result on a highly successful winter racing carnival, the maximizing of income opportunities, minimizing of costs and implementation of stringent controls.
With the resignation of Parry and his long-term deputy John Rowlands, Kevin O’Keefe will be appointed chairman.
He has had a long and very much hands-on association with the Townsville Turf Club and has for years been one of the biggest owners in the industry in the north.
The club is hopeful of finally getting the finance to complete much-needed work on the track and amenities.
The club’s legal action against Fairfield Waters over the infield lake debacle is set to be heard in court soon and plans for on course stabling, a top priority, are also being expedited.
LACK OF STABLING BLAMED FOR PATHETIC RESPONSE TO MACKAY TAB MEETING
THE lack of on course stabling in Mackay has been blamed for the poor response by trainers to meetings at Ooralea.
On Saturday for instance Mackay conducted a TAB meeting to celebrate the opening of new facilities. It was probably the most pathetic six race TAB card ever conducted.
The club faces a tremendous task to attract horses and the problem has been somewhat exacerbated by the departure of track manager Peter Birch, who as we indicated last week, is bound for Newcastle.
Mackay has without doubt the best racetrack in country Queensland but not enough horses.
One can only wonder what advise RQL chairman Kevin Dixon passed on to the committee at a slap up $150 a head luncheon in the new on course facilities on Saturday.
RQL SHOULD CONSIDER TRAVELLING REBATES FOR HORSES IN COUNTRY
LIKE anything priorities are important and whilst RQL is anxious to do something about the acute and worsening jockey shortage, it must also consider, at least equally, travelling rebates for horses.
RQL is proposing a scheme to attract provincial based jockeys to country race meetings, by offering them money (depending on distance) to be financed by the trainers (yes, trainers) and the respective clubs.
For instance if a jockey has four rides at a meeting over 650km from his home base he would receive an extra $200 which is paid by billing the trainer $40 for each ride and $40 to be paid by the club.
Before any more financial hurdles are placed in the way of trainers, perhaps travelling rebates must be at least considered.
Former Brisbane-based and renowned international jockey John Gorton has literally dozens of budding young jockeys in Mongolia just itching to ride in races.
Gorton reckons he has the answer to the jockey shortage here, but no one wants to listen.
Well, maybe it’s time someone did.
MELBOURNE CUP DAY WILL HIGHLIGHT THE JOCKEY SHORTAGE PROBLEM
JUST look at Melbourne Cup day.
With Rockhampton, Gladstone, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns all racing on that day, there’s bound to be a chronic jockey shortage. There is every year.
Home Hill traditionally raced on Cup day and, in fact has a half holiday, eased the situation slightly by racing on Saturday. Rather reluctantly, mind you.
On that subject we wonder if Cairns will consider giving up its November 6 race date because of the deleterious effect it would have on the meeting at Cooktown on the following Saturday.
This point is raised because of recent correspondence from a Cairns Jockey Club committeeman who complained publicly that Townsville should not have conducted a meeting in the same week as Cairns Amateurs earlier this month. Just a thought!
FEMALE APPRENTICES ENJOYING THAT WINNING FEELING IN THE NORTH
AND back to jockeys.
Townsville’s Emma Jlung, who rode her first winner earlier this month at Ingham, and another at Home Hill a fortnight ago, rode a winning treble at Julia Creek on Saturday.
She has now ridden five winners in as many weeks.
And tiny Juliet Kuskopf also notched her first win when Masataka strolled home a five length winner of the Class B.
Juliet, apprenticed to Jeff O’Dea and partner of jockey Anthony Merritt, has had a frustrating run of minor placings since she launched her riding career on the very same day as Emma barely six weeks ago at Atherton.
EWAN TAKES CENTRE STAGE FOR TWO BIG DAYS OF RACING ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
AND don’t forget Ewan this weekend – just the place to punt and party.
And in between races on Saturday you can even watch the feathers fly at the G where the Swans will be ducking the hungry Hawks.
But if you are interested in a flutter on the horses the first thing you do is to ignore form.
These horses have all been in the same paddock and eating nothing but grass (or should have been) for a few weeks and then two weeks in training for the double-header on Friday and Saturday.
Races are usually won by the horses that do best in the paddock. So condition is of the utmost importance.
And usually the races are won by the bigger stables, particularly the John Barr stable from Charters Towers that specializes in winning races at the Ewan annuals.
Feature is the Ewan Cup, a race Barr has won six of the past eight. He has last year’s winner Another Nip all fired up for another tilt and with Peter Cullen on board looks a prime candidate.
His danger will be the bold front-runner and last start Prairie Cup winner Line By Line. It will be a keen betting duel and a keen contest. Can Line By Line lead all the way. Can Another Nip wear him down? That’s the race.
Peter Cullen has been the most successful jockey at Ewan for years and this year will be no exception. Forget the form and follow P. Cullen is a recommended ploy.
David Simmons and Jamie Long will share the other Barr trained-horses with Cullen. With 12runners he looks destined for trainer’s honors yet again.
Olivia Cairns has been at Ewan for the past week plotting and planning her assault on the carnival. She has some likely candidates, most of which will be partnered by her up-and-coming apprentice Emma Jlung who is fresh from a winning treble at Julia Creek on Saturday.
For the desperates who have to have a bet we suggest these for a flutter:
FRIDAY: As Sweet As Candy, Rogerrab, Lovely Witch.
SATURDAY: Another Nip (Cup), Pandemonia, Bowchickawow.
Good punting!
COLUMN COURTESY OF TERRY BUTTS AND THE NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, one of Australia's leading rural newspapers.
TERRY BUTTS can be contacted by e-mailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
