IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer, TERRY BUTTS, reports on the fastest protest decision he has ever witnessed – at Cluden last Friday.
He also reveals that, despite the uncertain future facing the industry in Queensland, confidence is not waning among prospective QTIS Magic Millions Yearling Sales buyers who are heading south.
Here is the Butts’ column:
FASTEST PROTECT DECISION IN HISTORY FOR RED FACED JOCKEY
IT had to be the fastest protest decision ever made by Jamie Long, after riding the prolific Maiden placegetter, Zedaheel (having its 33rd start), into second place on Friday at Cluden.
Asked by the Chief Steward his reason for the objection, Long said Coronation Journey (the winner) “cost me half a length in the straight”.
Chief Steward: “But your horse was beaten – officially – by one and three quarter lengths.”
Jockey: “No comment.”
Alby Molino (trainer of the winner): “What are we doing here?”
Steward: “Protest Dismissed!”
And the jockey was fined $200 for his effort.
BUYERS FROM THE BUSH STILL EYEING QTIS SALE DESPITE RQ SLUMP
IN spite of the lingering doubt that hangs over the immediate future of Queensland racing it is pleasing to note there are still buyers in the bush eyeing the Magic Millions QTIS sale next month.
Rob Koch, a devotee of the QTIS scheme, expects to host a party of 25 for the sales on March 20 and 21.
“It is about the same number as we took down last year – and we came home with 25 youngsters,” said the man who has enjoyed considerable success with MM purchases, including Sunday’s Ipswich winner Rock Me Crazy and the well performed Nevetus.
Townsville’s Michael Charge is still putting a party together that will depart on Sunday (March 20) and return the following Wednesday. He reports keen interest among locals possibly tempted by accommodation packages for previous buyers.
“And there are also incentives for new buyers who spend over $10,000,” said the Townsville Turf Club CEO.
It will be a busy month for Charge who is also contesting the Local Government elections on March 19 – the day before his departure to the Gold Coast.
He is a candidate for Division 10 that encompasses Cluden and adjacent suburbs.
Of course success in the Council elections would require his resignation from the Turf Club – but until voting day it is business as usual – with a bit of SKY Channel hosting of the Townsville TAB meetings thrown in and some hectic last minute door knocking.
RAPID FIRE RACE STARTS NO PROBLEM FOR RACING IN QUEENSLAND
WHILE the 30-minute interval between races might not sit well with the Napoleon of Australian racing, Peter V’Landys, it is of little concern to Queenslanders, or so it seems.
The Queensland Trainers’ Association sent a memo to all members recently asking their views and president. Jim Rundle, reports there was ‘little in it’. A slender majority favoured the 30 minute gap – but a lot of members were not concerned either way.
HOT WEATHER AND WHIP USE ON TWO-YEAR-OLDS DOWNSIDE IN TROPICS
IT had to be one of the worst days – weatherwise – for racing. It is never comfortable in the Tropics in February but last Friday at Cluden was the absolute pits.
And it was not a pretty sight to see horses being belted down the straight either in the extreme conditions, especially two-year-olds.
The whip rules in this country are still subject to debate and many believe the authorities haven’t yet got it right.
Stewards too are losing patience, particularly with the rule that prohibits a horse being hit more than five times before the turn. Unrealistic as it might seem, it’s virtually open slather with the whip from then on.
It is another whip rule change waiting to happen.
Stephen Wilson, after several infringements, was suspended for a week for whip use on a two-year-old on Friday and there is a general warning from stewards that there will be more.
Meanwhile, stand by for news of a whip free racing day – apparently it is being muted down south.
OLIVIA CAIRNS FAREWELLS CLUDEN FOR NEW BASE IN MACKAY
OLIVIA Cairns bid Cluden farewell on a happy note when Okay Swift bolted in on Friday ending an unlucky trot for both horse and trainer.
Olivia is back to her original hunting ground – Mackay – where she rode with considerable success as a youngster and where she took out her trainer’s licence.
For the past decade or more she has been ‘Queen of Cluden’ but says she is looking forward to her return to Ooralea.
She has taken over stables formerly occupied by Greg Wehlow, who has headed south in search of cooler climes after what he described as a scorching summer in the sugar city and inadequate training facilities.
SWAFFER RETURNS TO SADDLE BUT ENDS UP IN HOSPITAL AFTER FALL
GOOD to see Braydn Swaffer back in action after a lengthy lay-off at Home Hill on Saturday. But it was a return he won’t forget.
Braydn ended up in Home Hill Hospital after coming to grief passing the winning post in the second race and spent a few hours recovering before driving back to Cairns with no serious injury.
Jeffrey Felix came down in the same incident but he bounced back and rode in the very next race.
Swaffer’s partner Sonja Wiseman, the leading jock in the North last year, has also returned from her ‘sabbatical’ and is due to make a much awaited return to the saddle in the coming weeks.
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..
