IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer, TERRY BUTTS, reports that the highly respected Rockhampton Trainers’ Association has had a name change and is now the most representative body in the state.
It has been renamed the Queensland Trainers’ Association to ensure it can accept membership and represent the interests of stakeholders from all parts of the state – many of whom believe the south-east based body is only interested in looking after metropolitan trainers.
Here is the Butts’ column:
ROCKHAMPTON TRAINERS’ ASSOCIATON RENAMED TO ENSURE STATEWIDE VOICE
THE Rockhampton Trainers’ Association has finally been renamed. It is now the Queensland Trainers’ Association with a very firm charter to help and protect its members in an ever changing industry.
In a statement, Chairman Jim Rundle said the Association’s aimed to ensure that all levels of racing were consulted well in advance, allowing for proper debate and feedback from all corners of the state.
“The racing industry in Queensland has had a colourful past for over 150 years. Racetracks in country and regional centres from Laura to Gold Coast, Mt Isa to Goondiwindi have been the lifeblood of racing during this time.
“They have supported the metropolitan tracks with a constant stream of trainers and jockeys and some handy horses who honed their craft, racing on a variety of grass and dirt track surfaces prior to graduating to the ‘big smoke’.
“’ For racing to remain relevant in an ever changing world all levels of areas of racing need to be kept healthy.
“There are times when various peak bodies seem to lose sight of this and appear to focus efforts on the metropolitan areas. Often country and regional areas are not properly consulted about proposed changes until after an announcement is made.
“Racing in Queensland is conducted across very diverse areas each with unique characteristics.
“The QTA aim is to promote thoroughbred racing in Queensland, to be proactive, and support racing state wide.
“Racing is about people and horses and we want to promote stronger lasting relationships for the benefit of all concerned,” Rundle said.
QTA WANTS TO ENSURE THAT ALL LEVELS OF RACING ARE CONSULTED ON CHANGE
THE QTA also wants to ensure that all levels of racing are consulted well in advance of industry changes allowing for proper debate and feedback from all corners of the State.
“We offer a forum for professional discussion, feedback on changes within the industry and a place where you can become involved in decisions which affect our industry.
“Queensland is a very big State and we want the views and ideas of everyone, from all parts of the State,” Rundle said.
The Queensland Trainers’ Association has evolved from what was originally the Rockhampton Trainers’ Association, where membership was primarily made up of Rockhampton district trainers but over the past couple of years there have been approaches by trainers from other areas wishing to join.
These are people who have felt strongly but their ideas often fell on deaf ears.
“In order to clearly communicate the broadened base of our current membership and better represent our aims it was decided to change our Association name to reflect these changes and welcome trainers from all over the State. Further details available on their new website: qldtrainers.com.au.
DON’T SHOOT THE MESSENGER FOR REPORTING THE FACTS ABOUT HOME HILL TRACK
APPARENTLY ‘everyone’ got a text message from Home Hill Race Club President, Ross Tapiolas, that referred to ‘á recent article by a racing journalist about the safety of Home Hill race track’.
Sure, I wrote the story he referred to based on the following facts:
Kevin Ring (Jockeys’ Association advocate) told me EVERY jockey he spoke to after the last meeting said they preferred to travel to Innisfail than ride at Home Hill. His words – not mine.
I wasn’t the jockey who rode a horse for trainer Carol Hurleand who told him he would never ride on the track again ‘because it had too many holes’.
And I wasn’t the trainer who walked down the straight a week before noms closed and declared ‘It was so hard I couldn’t put the car key in the ground.’
There was a lot of comment from senior officials of racing.
If the decision had been left to the person who really should have made the call there would not have been TAB racing at Home Hill. That is certain.
But he was over-ruled by ‘someone’ in Brisbane.
These are the facts.
It is just another case of shooting the messenger. It happens!
Don’t worry, I really feel for Ross and his volunteers. They have a thankless task but to their credit never stop trying. And they are great promoters of their club.
It is not their fault the track is what it is – not up to TAB standard.
They don’t have the tools, money or and manpower. But punters around Australia – still the lifeblood of racing – are entitled to the best available.
And running a TAB meeting at Home Hill is akin to the Cowboys playing at Brothers, with no disrespect to the Bretheren, by the way.
WHERE HAS ALL THIS LOST PRIZEMONEY GONE – TIME FOR RQ TO ANSWER?
WHERE has all the money gone?
With the transfer of Townsville dates to Mackay, Cairns and Home Hill over the next few weeks there is $127,000 in prizemoney ‘seemingly lost’.
The Townsville meetings actually replace the three meetings that had already been allocated to Cairns (April 11), Home Hill (April 25) and Mackay (May 2).
Yet no word from RQ whether Home Hill will actually retain Townsville’s April 26 date, or when and how the ‘lost’ prizemoney might be utilized.
Stay tuned!
THESE ‘BLUDGERS’ JUST KEEP ON MOUNTING TAXPAYER-FUNDED APPEALS
THE long running and expensive court battle between Tablelands jockey Ian Toward and QCOMP over an Innisfail race day incident 10 years ago is over – but not yet entirely settled – at least to the satisfaction of the jockey.
The judge last week threw out an appeal by QCOMP against an earlier decision that Toward had won over the Compensation Board – with costs.
But this latest appeal, brought on by QCOMP against that decision, although won hands down by Toward, does not include the massive legal costs that have brought the jockey to the brink of bankruptcy.
And yet, by law, he is deemed the winner.
And would you believe the Government (taxpayer)-funded QCOMP now wants a month to decide on whether to appeal – yet again.
116 YEARLINGS CATALOGUED FOR THE CAPRICORNIA SALES ON APRIL 12
A total of 116 selected yearlings have been catalogued for the 2015 Capricornia Sales at Rockhampton Showgrounds on Sunday week (April 12).
Graduates will be eligible for the 2016 Capricornia 2YO Classic offering total prize-money of $100,000.
Many top horses are graduates from this sale, including the 2014 Stradbroke winner, River Lad.
River Lad actually won the 2010 Capricornia 2YO Classic and sales-related Capricornia 3YO Championship.
A colt sure to command interest is Lot 15, the 3/4 brother to local champion Our Boy Malachi, winner of 16 from his 18 starts.
Coincidently, he is by the underrated stallion Top Echelon which is also the sire of River Lad.
Other stallions represented include: Al Maher (sire of 24 Stakes winners), Bradbury’s Luck winner Choisir (sire of 63 SW), Jet Spur, Hidden Dragon, Not A Single Doubt, Real Saga and Written Tycoon .
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..