IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer TERRY BUTTS reports on the country carnival spotlight focusing this week on the Rockhampton Newmarket and Cup meetings.
He also comments on the political scene in Racing NSW involving a court action against Racing Victoria; moves to attract more Government funding for the ‘Championships’ and a move to haul corporate bookmakers into line.
Here is the Butts’ column:
CARNIVAL SPOTLIGHT FOCUSES ON ROCKHAMPTON FOR NEWMARKET & CUP
THE racing spotlight this week beams down on Callaghan Park. The time-honoured Newmarket, 1300m, will be run on Thursday and the Rockhampton Cup, 1600m, is the highlight on Saturday.
Some good horses ridden by some of our best jockeys have won and failed in both races over the years that have long held the reputation as the best in country Queensland.
The local champion Our Boy Malachi won the race last year and backs up again. Trainer O ’Sing expressed a cool confidence after his champ had his final gallop on Saturday.
He said the horse was ‘spot on’ and rearing to go.
He admits the trip to Mackay three weeks ago was a ‘barrier trial’ and that the horse has come through it without a problem.
The one thing certain about the Newmarket this year is that Our Boy Malarchi will be top weight – and the favourite.
The Cup, at time of going to press, is a lot more open and the Kiwis might hold the key.
Likely top weight is the well performed New Zealander Lauren Tate which has been a shade disappointing during the Winter Carnival in Brisbane. The John Sargent-trained Choice Bro, runner up in the listed Strawberry Road at Eagle Farm last start, will also be a favoured contender if he makes the trip north.
WHEN IS AUSTRALIA GOING TO BITE THE BULLET AND HAVE A NATIONAL TOTE?
WE have been saying for ages we believe that the saviour for the racing industry is a national tote or pari mutuel system similar to that used and proven by the successful racing nations of the world – particularly Hong Kong and Japan.
They don’t have licensed off course bookmakers. They don’t need them – nor want them.
So when is Australia going to realise that it doesn’t need them either.
Unfortunately, that day is far away – and getting further away – as every day passes.
We already have Racing Queensland and its off and on course provider Tattsbet in a costly Supreme Court squabble over $200 million.
The dispute has been festering for many months and racing in Queensland is frankly idling in neutral awaiting an outcome. And if you reckon that is an unacceptable situation, what about this:
The latest fiasco is the Supreme Court action between, (can you believe) Racing NSW and Racing Victoria Limited (RVL).
In a story buried away on Page 5 of the Sydney Morning Herald last week, ex Townsville racing writer Chris Roots reported that NSW is suing fellow regulator RVL for more than $600,000 over a product fee dispute going back to 2008.
Oh, don’t you just luv it?
The report stated product fee was paid under agreement that formed Racing Information Services Australia (RISA) with the other principal racing authorities in the country.
“Racing NSW claimed in the NSW Supreme Court on May 28 that it believed it had paid $619,960 more than was required.
Racing NSW claimed the product fee charged to Tabcorp was, in part, passed on to RVL.” RVL denies the claims.
Racing NSW has taken action against RVL to recover the overpayment, interest and court costs.
“I didn't think it would come to this," was the comment by Racing NSW chairman John Messara.
And I am sure, Mr Chairman, nor did anyone else.
Just what hope is there of a much needed unified control of racing in this country while this goes on.
RACING NSW HAS GOT IT WRONG CHASING MONEY FOR ANOTHER ‘CHAMPIONSHIPS’
RACING NSW has really got it wrong this time. It is chasing $100mn from the NSW Government to stage another ‘championships’ next year.
With the new Government facing upcoming elections, one would think Racing NSW has a snowball’s hope in hell of getting that kind of money for this somewhat elite race series that had minimal benefit for anyone outside the metropolitan area of Sydney when staged last month.
The jury is still out on just how successful the $100mn Championships really were.
NSW country racing (like Queensland) is starving. And it’s about time those sitting in the high chairs of power realised it and started to provide a more equitable distribution of what funds are available.
Melbourne has its Cup and Sydney has its Slipper. And what’s wrong with that?
It is time to stop the costly tinkering and the boring bickering between states.
Frankly, it wouldn’t matter if those races were worth $1mn because $100mn is not going to change a thing
RACING NSW DID EARN SOME POINTS WITH POINTS IN MOVE AGAINST CORPORATES
RACING NSW did however earn some points last week, especially from punters, when Peter V’Landys announced that the corporate bookmakers could no longer choose who can bet with them and for how much.
From July1 they will be required to stand to lose a minimum amount on any single fixed odds bet in NSW. Until now the corporates (and the totes) have simply and quite rudely closed accounts or severely limited punters who were backing too many winners.
In spite of hundreds of complaints, the corporates have been selecting their clients and anyone who seems to have an ‘edge’ was placed, without warning, on the barred list.
The licensing body, NT Gambling Commission, has obviously been aware of the practise and refused to act.
Well thankfully – and in the interests of fairness – that’s all over – in NSW at least.
Naturally all other states will follow. Yes?
And will (or should) the NT Commission remain the licensing body for all corporates? That is the next question.
NO WORD ON WHETHER HUGHENDEN WILL BESTOW LIFE MEMBERSHIP ON NIPPY
NO WORD out west when (or if) long serving Hughenden Turf Club president, Arthur (Nippy) Seymour, will have life membership bestowed on him.
Nippy was surprisingly dumped from his role at an AGM a few weeks ago, but most involved with racing out west believe he is entitled at least to some official recognition for his services.
Nippy continues to train his horses on the Hughenden track but remains uncertain of his future. Wife Rhonda was secretary-treasurer, and she too has been replaced – and - resigned from the committee.
But the club, according to Nip, was left with a healthy five-figure sum in the bank. And he is proud of that.
Meanwhile, unseasonal weather out west forced the postponement of Richmond’s big race day last Saturday.
Efforts are being made to combine the feature races from last week to the next meeting in August, according to Col Truscott, RQ’s Country Racing Manager.
RACING DIARY
Tuesday June 17 Townsville (NQ Cup Day)
Thursday June 19 Rockhampton (Newmarket)
Saturday June 21 Rockhampton (Cup Day); Charters Towers (Cup Day); Alpha (Cup Day); Cairns (IGA Cup Day); McKinlay (Cup Day),
Tueday June 24 Mackay (Lightning).
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.
