IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer, TERRY BUTTS, welcomes the news from Racing Minister Grace Grace on a prizemoney moratorium for the next two years.
But Butts highlights the biggest drawback to racing in the north – UBET and the ‘in-confidence’ 30-year deal calling for an explanation to the industry detailing why it was accepted.
He also writes of the death of legendary North Queensland racing steward Allan Cooper, who last week lost his battle with cancer.
Here is the Butts’ column:
ENCOURAGING NEWS ON PRIZEMONEY FROM NEW RACING MINISTER
THERE was heartening news last week from the new Racing Minister Grace Grace when she announced a two-year moratorium on Queensland country prizemoney levels.
It was welcome relief for the hundreds of licensees and no doubt the breeders who feared a severe backlash from potential buyers at the upcoming QTIS sales.
The statement by Grace follows an earlier vow by the Premier who stated last year that racing could not expect or rely on Government financial assistance. Of course that was until Mt Isa-based MP Rob Katter had his two bob’s worth – and suddenly there was a change of attitude in George Street.
But some might say it is still not nearly enough.
In the same week that Grace made her olive branch gesture to the racing industry, NSW gung-ho racing CEO, Peter V’Landys, made some interesting observations in an interview with Ray Thomas in the Daily Telegraph.
While Queensland racing titters on the brink of collapse V’Landys says NSW racing’s future “has never looked better”.
And he says it is all to do with NSW winning the battle for race fields’ legislation and obtaining wagering taxation parity with Victoria.
“Without it we would have been on life support.
“You only have to look at Queensland to wonder what might have happened.
“I don’t think people realize how important it was.”
NSW has doubled its racing revenue from $150mn to $300mn per year.
What happened in Queensland?
You might well ask.
BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH QLD RACING IS UBET AND THAT 30-YEAR DEAL
BUT taxation parity with other states is only part of the NSW success story.
The biggest problem in Queensland is UBET which is simply not performing at the level expected when that infamous 30-year deal with Racing Queensland was signed.
A deal – hitherto top secret – that promised to revolutionize racing in this State. Surely it is time details of this agreement were released to end the speculation on what many believe to be the dumbest deal in racing history. It still hides behind the commercial in-confidence facade.
UBET is said to be losing punters to the corporate bookies by the score – and apparently by the day. It is losing valuable turnover that was to churn out the promised prizemoney.
It is that simple. No punters - no turnover – no prizemoney.
Yes, we also need a Racing Board with experienced racing people at the helm – not accountants or lawyers and other greenhorns as proposed by the costly and uninspiring MacSporran Report.
There has to be drastic change at RQ and at UBET.
It is the only way.
PLAN FOR RICH PRIZEMONEY SERIES IN THREE BIG PROVINCIAL CENTRES
THE current Racing Queensland CEO, Ian Hall, is under the gun from many sections of the industry that have publicly called for his resignation. But still he retains the support of the Queensland Government.
Hall apparently made a favourable impression on the Rockhampton Jockey Club committee last week and this week he will be in Mackay where no doubt he will be in search of answers to a lot of queries about the past, the present and future of the embattled club.
There is also a suggestion he has a plan to combine the Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville clubs in a promotion that would see increased prizemoney for a series of races to be shared between the three clubs.
Hopefully we will have more on this next week.
DEATH OF NQ RACING LEGEND – ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S BEST STEWARDS
ON a much sadder note we report the passing last week of an undeniable North Queensland racing legend.
Allan Cooper had no peer in northern Queensland as a stipendiary steward and racing administrator. He ruled his domain with great passion and with a unique style that earned the respect of every licensee he encountered in a colourful, sometimes tough and often stressful 50-odd year career – the last 30 as Chief Stipe based in Townsville.
He will be remembered as a tough disciplinarian – but always fair – and one who never missed a single beat. It was often said Allan Cooper “could smell a dead’un” and knew every rule in the book.
He passed away last week after a long and painful battle with the dreaded cancer.
Cooper died doing what he did best – watching races and replays.
Even from inside the palliative care isolation of Townsville General – on his very last day.
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..
