IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer, TERRY BUTTS, tells how racing in Queensland has finally decided to run as one – problem is it took the sinking of the Titanic to uite the passengers.

He tells of a letter from radio shock jock Alan Jones to the Premier addressing concerns about the industry in Queensland and how another unbelievable ‘instruction’ has been issued by the ‘German’ holding forte in the Deagon Bunker.

hehr uPremthetoksuccinctly sums up the sad situation that racing in Queensland has generated to.

Here is the Butts’ column:

 

AT LAST RACING IN QUEENSLAND HAS DECIDED TO ‘RUN AS ONE’

 

WHAT A week!

 

Never in its long history has the racing hierarchy of Queensland been under so much fire.

 

All sectors of the once thriving industry are unified in their outrage and condemnation of Government and current rulers of racing in this State.

 

It all began last Monday with the announcement of the severe prizemoney cutbacks and the added charges.

 

They are changes the industry is saying loudly and clearly it cannot afford. The very future of racing as we have known it for more than a century is in great jeopardy. In racing parlance – that’s a certainty.

 

Incomprehrensibly, the changes have been made or recommended by people who know absolutely nothing about the game. Decision makers holding high positions in the crumbling wreck of Racing Queensland. They simply shouldn’t be there.

 

There have been passionate pleas by many high profile racing members of this and other states.

 

The announcement was made in the same week a public rally was being organised at Doomben, and coincided with the appointment of a new Minister, though honestly we question whether outgoing minister Bill Byrne got a fair go at the portfolio.

 

I think not – and am aware of one very sensible idea he proposed but was thrown out because someone close to the Premier didn’t like it.

 

Politics!

 

And there is a letter doing to rounds penned by Sydney radio guru, Alan Jones, addressed simply to ‘Annastacia’ and it contains a lot of basic common sense that maybe – or hopefully – she might adhere to.

 

 

INDUSTRY UNSURE WHO IAN HALL IS BATTING FOR – UBET OR SPORTSBET

 

THEN on Friday we had the Acting RQ CEO Ian Hall ‘getting into bed’ with the UBET arch rival, Sportsbet, which caused quite a stir.

 

Hall was quoted as saying Sportsbet had been ‘going all out to promote Queensland racing with heavily promoted  money back and daily racing specials for Queensland racing and running ads on television normally reserved for Victorian races.’

 

And a Sportsbet senior spokesman was quoted in the same article in The Courier Mail as saying: “After the product fee change it is far more attractive for us to do business in Queensland”.

He then added: “We have made a commitment to Racing Queensland to help grow their sport”.

 

Next day (Saturday) the RQ website, not surprisingly, ran a media release offering a somewhat modified view on the UBET relationship with RQ and the Hall interview.

 

In part: Racing Queensland has today reiterated its stance in relation to wagering on racing in Queensland.

 

Acting Chief Executive Officer Ian Hall said: “One of Racing Queensland’s key priorities is to grow its revenue base. 

 

“Under the racing funding model, the Queensland racing industry would receive significantly more revenue if all wagering was undertaken via UBET.

 

“Racing Queensland has developed a close working relationship with UBET and we are already seeing this partnership delivering innovative approaches to marketing. We are looking forward to rolling out several other initiatives in the coming months that foster alignment between Queensland racing industry participants and UBET.

 

“In today’s wagering environment, achieving all wagering through UBET is not a realistic expectation.  At the same time as strengthening our partnership with and driving the best possible outcome under the industry’s arrangements with UBET, Racing Queensland recognises the importance of developing positive working relationships with all wagering operators who showcase our product to customers throughout Australia.

 

Convinced?

 

Or are you still unsure which side the acting CEO is batting for?

 

Join the club.

 

 

IS THE PREMIER COPING ADVICE ON RACING FROM THE ‘JONES BOY’?

 

NOW back to the ‘Jones Boy’ and his personal plea to the Premier, with whom he is obviously well acquainted.

 

It is a good letter and ends with this:

 

Finally, Annastacia, a massive disaster is looming which will seriously damage your Government and make you appear like a stupid lame duck person without a clue about racing. Now as I said to you from the outset, I’m here to help. We want this industry as strong and as competitive as New South Wales and Victorian racing are. We need to act with absolute urgency and resolve the matter. You need to get the tunnel signed off and moving and then do nothing until we can get the right people to advise you and the Minister to shape the right decisions for the future. And rest assured, Annastacia, I do know who those people are.

 

This is very critical.  I’ll send this e-mail and give you a call.

 No doubt he has. And we’d love to know her response. 

 

SOUNDS LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE TRACK CURATOR AT MACKAY

 

THIS could be a first ever.

 

Last Thursday a furious steward, well within his rights, questioned Mackay Turf Club officials in relation to the early morning track rating being given out as a ‘GOOD 4’ for its TAB meeting at Ooralea.

 

After a stewards' inspection four hours later the track was upgraded to a ‘FIRM 2’ and described by many as a disgrace and a classic case of neglect of duty by those involved.

 

After hearing the explanations tendered, stewards advised the Race Club officials that a report would be provided to Racing Queensland for its consideration and possible further action.

 

Not only were stewards embarrassed but stakeholders were also fuming at the way the track was presented. It simply had not been watered. And all that’s required is for someone to press the buttons on the fully computerised watering system.

 

And by the way – there was no track inspection at all by the Turf Club.

 

The track, once rated the best in the State, looked tired, unkempt, patchy and very thirsty. Jockeys said it was like a cement road.

 

The track curator, Brian Steindl, was sacked some weeks ago and things haven’t been the same since, according to the local trainers, who, in fact, tried to have him reinstated.

We await with interest the RQ response.

 

 

TOWNSVILLE INDUSTRY WELCOMES SUSTAINABILITY PLAN WITH CAUTION

 

THE Townsville racing industry group has welcomed the Racing to Sustainability Plan with cautious optimism.

Spokesman Malcolm Petrofski told a gathering on Sunday that it is critical that the clubs work with RQ to achieve set KPIs and performance targets.

“No industry participant is happy to see a reduction in income or race opportunities but at least we now have a plan that can measure the performance of all parties. This performance measure for both RQ and the clubs needs to be transparent to all,” he said.

“The lack of a Board and the constant change in racing ministers does not give the stability and direction the industry desperately needs at this critical time.”

He said the new Cluden track provided a first class racing surface but there are severe drainage issues and there is conjecture over the safety of horses and track work riders returning to the tie up stalls after track work.

 “The club needs to urgently work with RQ to rectify these issues. It seems unbelievable that a major redevelopment can leave working areas subject to flooding.

“Industry members can only rely on the TTC and RQ to manage this contract dispute and hope that the issues can be rectified urgently.” Mr Petrofski said.

Apparently someone down in the Deagon Bunker signed-off on the $7mn redevelopment before all the drainage work was completed and there is an on-going war between the TTC and RQ over who is to pay for the unfinished work.

Normal wet season rains would cause havoc, according to the experts, and how and why the geniuses at RQ signed off on the uncompleted contract is just amazing.

TTC has no money and now nor does RQ, so they say.

 

NOW IT LOOKS LIKE DECLAN IS TELLING STEWARDS HOW TO DO THEIR JOBS

A safe exit from the training track is a concern to some.

But not to RQ Director of Ooperations, Declan Martschinke, who gets more than the odd mention in dispatches in industry circles – and it’s never very positive.

Just last week Declan ordered the Club to ensure all track riders exit the track at the gap. In other words they are to pull up abruptly just past the post and exit the track.

How ridiculous or downright dangerous is that? You might well ask.

Unbelievable as it might sound – it is another example of someone giving orders on something they know absolutely nothing about.

We understand the club has simply ignored the ill-founded and ludicrous instruction (as you would) and the Chief Steward?

Well, we hear he just shook his head and murmured something that sounded like: “Oh...no.”

That’s racing...Queensland style. If it wasn’t so serious it would be downright laughable

 

 

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..