IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer, TERRY BUTTS, reports on the plans for Mackay racing under a new-look committee.
Butts also questions the need for a new committee announced last week by Racing Queensland asking why industry funds are being used when they could have been allocated to more needy projects.
Here is the Butts’ column:
NEW BLOOD ON MACKAY COMMITTEE KEEN ON RESURRECTING CLUB
THERE is new blood on the committee of Mackay Turf Club – and they are hell-bent at getting Ooralea back to the glory days of yesteryear.
And if confidence and enthusiasm are the required ingredients, Mackay could once again be toast of the coast.
Ryan Van de Velde, a local entrepreneur of some repute is one of the new bloods with lots of ideas. Tracey Simmonds, wife of jockey David, herself a trainer and sister of the legendary John Manzelmann is another to have just been voted on to the new committee.
Lou Kinsey, a long time stalwart remains as Chairman of the club that is in the final throes of being handed back by Racing Queensland after years of operating under its administration.
The new committee had talks with RQ acting CEO Ian Hall last week and according to Van der Velde ‘all went extremely well’.
“He is well aware of our problems, gave us a good hearing and was supportive.’’
The handover from RQ is likely to happen in the coming weeks.
And expect some immediate action.
It could be said there will be “some changes’’.
There might even be an appointment of a much-needed track manager after the previous manager was sacked by registered post – and now the case is allegedly subject to challenge.
The plans include a major community race day to coincide with Chinese New Year on Saturday, February 28 and ambitious 150th anniversary celebrations in June.
“Racing started here with a two-day meeting on Saturday and Sunday in mid-June 150 years ago. We have big things in store for that weekend,” said Van de Velde.
PLANS NOT RESTRICTED TO MACKAY – INVOLVE OTHER NQ CENTRES
BUT his plans are not restricted to Ooralea. He told the CEO that Mackay, Townsville, Cairns and Rockhampton should each race one Saturday of every month as a SKY 2 meeting.
And he said the Townsville Turf Cub proved last year that the traditional northern winter carnivals don’t necessarily have to be cramped in between June and July.
Apparently Hall saw a lot of merit in the proposals.
Dates and programs for next season are due to be finalized in the next few weeks after respective clubs have made their final submissions.
If anyone is listening at RQ (or wants to listen) the four northern TAB clubs would like to host their TAB meetings on Tuesdays and Saturdays. But that might be just too sensible.
Currently, Townsville has one Saturday meeting between January and June. Hopefully that may change.
And while on race dates there are some grumbles in the north over the allocation.
Yes, Cairns and Townsville are not happy with their dates and Mackay…well apparently, as of last week they hadn’t yet been lodged.
NEEDED FUNDS SPENT ON ‘UNNECESSARY, SUPERFLUOUS COMMITTEES’?
RACING Queensland announced in a Media Release last week the formation of a new committee to “look after the affairs’’ of country race clubs.
It didn’t outline exact specifics of their tasks nor their qualifications. And in the current climate you are entitled to wonder exactly how precious industry funds are being spent – and the role to be played by this three-member committee with fancy titles.
The problem facing the racing industry is lack of money. And therefore the focus should be firmly on UBET, which is the principal (if not sole) provider of necessary funds to keep the industry ticking.
Committees running around the country with briefcases and expounding their views to 129 country clubs is hardly the answer. It is time RQ started to trim the fat – after all isn’t that what Hall was actually appointed to do?
If he has the money to spend on these unnecessary, superfluous committees, maybe he could allocate some funds to provide float subsidies for instance, to help the many battling owners and trainers who keep the game going week in-week out.
But that’s not even a consideration – let alone a priority under present day control.
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..
