IN his widely-read column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published by the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer TERRY BUTTS reports on D Day for the racing industry with new legislation that will determine the future to go before Parliament this week.
Butts says its ‘make or break’ time for Racing Minister Stephen Dickson who is yet to convince industry skeptics of his credentials. The call remains strong for a much needed Board member representing country interests that was promised by the LNP pre-election but six months down the track has still not occurred.
‘Silks & Saddles’ also announces the establishment of a North Queensland Racing Museum with the right man in the job to launch it in John Lyons.
Here is the Butts column:
RACING MINISTER FACING D DAY IN PARLIAMENT WITH INDUSTRY DOUBTERS
THE Queensland Parliament sits this week as racing industry stakeholders wonder if all the promises of the LNP prior to the election will be delivered.
There is no doubt that racing people have lost already lost a lot of confidence in Racing Minister Stephen Dickson, mainly due to his inactivity.
Dickson gets the chance this week to show his mettle.
The racing game wants to know exactly what is going on with the three former senior staffers who got the Golden Handshake, most say was not due to them.
Is the money going to be returned? How serious is the pursuit?
They also want to know what Government has in store for racing that is probably at its lowest ebb, and that includes the Bentley years.
Confidence is waning as are the crowds.
IT’S TIME TO REVEAL PLANS FOR RACING, ESPECIALLY IN THE COUNTRY
THE industry needs to know the plans and especially plans for the country.
We want to know who will be the country representative on the RQL Board and when he or she will be appointed, as was promised six months ago.
And on that subject, it’s worth noting that a special meeting, to be held on Tuesday of this week, called to discuss the future of racing comprised two Brisbane trainers (Barry Baldwin and Pat Duff), Jim Murdoch (a barrister and Deagon-based owner-trainer) and Cameron Partington the Queensland secretary of the ATA and jockey Jim Byrne’s manager.
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That was the advertised line-up. Jim Rundle, the highly-respected Rockhampton-based president of the Owners and Trainers (with more members than the ATA) emailed Partington and asked if he, too, could attend. At time of going to press Jim was still awaiting an answer. What does that tell you?
NORTH QUEENSLAND RACING MUSEUM TO BE ESTABLISHED AND on a more positive note there was some exciting news this week with the announcement that North Queensland Racing is to have its own racing museum. Details have not been finalized but we do know that John Lyons, a long time Townsville Turf Club committeeman, owner, and strong supporter of racing in this state will chair a committee to set up the museum on a site yet to be announced – but certainly within the precinct of Cluden Park. And Mr Lyons comes with the ideal background to establish this exciting project. He was founding chairman of the Museum of Tropical North Queensland, more commonly known as Pandora Museum that, after 20 years, still attracts 1000 visitors a week. He is a son-in-law of one of the state’s racing icons – the late Sir Edward Williams – who ruled the Queensland Turf Club for many years and was in the chair when the highly rated Racing Museum was opened at Eagle Farm. “I had many a long chat with Jim Anderson who created that museum, rated one of the best in the country. “I know a bit about the caper,” said John in his typical lay-back, laconic way. Though it will be based in Townsville the museum will feature thoroughbred racing from Mackay to the Cape, out to Camooweal and all clubs in between.
CALL FOR MEMORABILIA TO HELP LAUNCH NQ RACING MUSEUM JOHN Lyons has called for memorabilia from all sections of the racing game from all centres, from all tracks. “We want photos, trophies, sashes and all such paraphernalia that might be gathering dust somewhere.” Mr Lyons said the museum will be quite innovative and up-market (as museums go), and believes it will be a tourist highlight, just as the Pandora Museum has been. “We intend to have a facility whereby visitors can place a gold coin in a slot and up will come a video replay of our best races that can be selected from a menu. “If you want the 1990 Townsville Cup- you’ve got it.” There will be saddles, bridles, and colors from former champs. And the stories that made the headlines over the past century. It is a project everyone in racing should embrace. And no doubt they will, especially with the knowledge that the well credentialed ‘Phantom’ will be running the show. And I have a feeling one of the first exhibits will be the trophy from the one and only Tully Cup ever run. The winner was ridden by the very memorable Skinny Thomas back in the 1940s (no one actually knows the date. There are no records and the Cup doesn’t state the year it was run). However, it is currently in the keeping of Skinny’s grand-daughter Beverley Dresley, who will be delighted to donate it to the museum.
HIGH PROFILE VICTORIAN APPOINTED CEO OF ROCKHAMPTON CLUB THE ROCKHAMPTON Jockey Club has appointed a high profile Victorian country racing administrator as Chief Executive Officer. Garry Armstrong has held a similar post with the Echuca Racing Club for the past four years. He was previously with the Tatura Race Club and he replaced another Victorian Denis Cox, who resigned from Rocky to head up the triennial Beef Week event in that city. New RJC chairman Bill Ouston said Mr Armstrong ‘comes highly recommended by sources within Racing Victoria and brings with him a wealth of knowledge in racing administration as well as events management.’ “Garry comes to the Club at an exciting time. With the RJC recently regaining control from Racing Queensland Limited of all racing and training functions at Callaghan Park we are looking to improve training facilities and grow that aspect of the business. “Also the recently opened new members’ facility is attracting additional members to the club each week.” Mr. Armstrong said: “My record of achievement in the racing industry is something that I am very proud of and I feel the time is right for me to accept the next challenge. This position with the RJC is a great opportunity and I’m excited to be coming on board,” Mr. Armstrong said. Outside of his racing interests Mr Armstrong is a keen fisherman. “I’ll be putting the winter woollies in storage in Victoria but I’ll certainly be bringing the fishing rods,” he said. Mr Armstrong will commence duties on December 3 and he certainly won’t need his woolies for a month or six!
LIFE MEMBERSHIP RECIPIENTS INCLUDE FORMER TTC PRESIDENT ALAN Parry’s recent resignation from the Townsville Turf Club ended an unprecedented 15 years as the club’s president. And at the recent AGM life membership was bestowed on him and four other long serving committeemen of the club. New Chairman Kevin O’Keefe, Alan’s brother John Parry, John Rowlands (21 years on the committee), Ross Donovan (16 years) and Dino di Bella (20 years) were also granted life membership. Between them they represented 106 years of service to the Townsville Turf Club.
STEWARDS HAVE BEEN ACTIVE WITH POSITIVE SWABS IN THE NORTH STEWARDS have been active around the North Queensland region in recent weeks. A positive swab to ‘chocolate’ has been returned by a Tolga-trained horse and in Rockhampton a trainer is anxiously awaiting the return of a second sample after a pre race sample allegedly showed an inflated CO2 reading. “My horse ran 45 lengths last and the final swab sample was taken from it three hours after the race. I am hoping for a Gollan result,” quipped the trainer. And in Mackay recently Alan Reardon and his panel fined trainer Darren Symons $12,000 after three positives to a steroid. He pleaded guilty and will not appeal.
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..
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