THIS web-site continues to listen to what our readers have to say and has introduced a ‘Wednesday Whinge’ where you can express your feelings on racing industry issues of the past week. Try to keep them objective. Just e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
THE e-mail box went into over-drive late yesterday when news filtered through of the outrageous payouts to four executives of the Bob Bentley administration. The figure was much higher than that administration had admitted. The industry is angry and calling on the Government to take steps to recoup some of the money paid in what amounts to a golden handshake. That criticism deflected somewhat from growing concerns about the new Kevin Dixon Board ranging from whether there will be an Integrity Department to widespread disharmony in the country where clubs are adopting the motto: ‘We of the Never Never.’ There were a host of other topics raised by our readers.
Here is this week’s selection with apologies to those who missed out.
PROTESTS FLOWED THICK AND FAST FROM ANGRY STAKE-HOLDERS AFTER PAYOUTS CONFIRMED
‘CONFIRMATION of the massive payouts to key four executives from Racing Queensland that largely amounted to a ‘golden handshake’ only filtered through late yesterday but the e-mails flowed thick and fast and stake-holders are extremely angry.
Here are three examples which we hope conveys the general message of more than a dozen received, several of which were too personal and defamatory to publish:
‘THE new Government should move heaven and earth to make these four refugees from Racing Queensland’s Bentley era repay what they should never have received from the industry coffers.
What a disgraceful situation to reward four executives for their loyalty. If the Board wanted to do that they should have paid them out of their own pockets. Let’s face it, Messrs Bentley and Ludwig have got plenty.
To think that rules were bent and changed when it was obvious that the Government would change and these unpopular identities would be shown the door.
At least the Racing Minister has said the Government will look at what steps it can take but has given an assurance this will never happen again.
To think that one bloke – who never deserved to be in the position he was in – apparently used what he got to buy a bakery even before he left RQ has many in the industry wanting to shove a bread roll up his fat behind.’ – As I formerly worked alongside these individuals I would ask that my name not be used.
AND this one:
‘CORRECT me if I am wrong but didn’t former Chairman Bentley and his Board deny that the payout figure for these four who resigned from Racing Queensland was in the range of $1.8 million or more?
I recall reading quotes to Mr Bentley that the figure was less than $500,000 and that the figures were being floated by media mates of Kevin Dixon to pump up his claims for the RQ chairmanship.
If you have a look back on the reports – which no doubt your web site won’t be interested in doing because the story was written by Bart Sinclair – you will find that he was spot on with the $1.8 million plus figure.
What can we expect next from the Auditor-General – confirmation that RQL was left stone broke by the Bentley Board and not with over $10 million in the bank as he and his colleagues are claiming to anyone in the industry who wants to listen?’ – Clem Martin, Brisbane.
And finally:
‘JUST when some in the industry were becoming disillusioned with the new Board headed by Kevin Dixon, the Auditor-General’s report on the ‘golden handshakes’ to Bentley’s mates has blown him out of the water – yet again.
Someone certainly has ended up with a nose bigger than Pinocchio’s when you read the reports from days after the election when these four resigned and left with a pocket full.
What they received as a result of 11th hour changes to their contract should be repaid to the industry. To think how people already felt about Tuttle, Brennan and Orchard. They should hang their heads in shame and never show their faces on a racetrack in Queensland again.
This sorry affair will be remembered along with some of the blackest days in Queensland racing but it will be remembered more for the reward that four loyal servants of the Bentley Board were paid for services above and beyond the call of duty.
Rather than say any more and risk getting sued or the e-mail not being used I will leave it at that except I am wondering how silly you and your website feels now that this has been revealed considering your questions about integrity under the Dixon hierarchy.’ – David Thomas, Gold Coast.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Let me make one thing clear from the outset. This website was as critical of the Bentley Board as it has been of the lack of action from the Dixon Board since its appointment. We make no apology for ‘keeping the bastards honest.’ It has always been our stance that the ‘golden handshake’ payment to these four executives was despicable and that they should be forced to repay what they were not entitled to. As for our website or me personally looking silly for questioning Integrity under the Dixon hierarchy, you have to be kidding Mr Thomas. Things like that which occurred in this ‘golden handshake’ payments (especially as it applied to the boss of Integrity) makes us even more determined to see an independent Integrity body run by responsible people set up as was promised by the new Government in their racing policy prior to the election. We keep hearing there won’t be an Integrity Department under the new Board. That, in our opinion, would rate alongside these disgraceful payouts to four loyal executives in terms of black days for racing in Queensland.
Below is the Media Release from Racing Minister Stephen Dickson in relation to the Auditor General’s report to the Queensland Parliament:
THE Auditor General’s report released today into separation payments made to four top Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) executives again showed the former Labor Government’s contempt for the racing industry.
Racing Minister Steve Dickson said his initial reading was that serious questions were raised by the conduct of the former RQL Board, which included Labor’s handpicked racing Tsar Bob Bentley and AWU boss Bill Ludwig.
“What we know is that in August 2011 the former Board of RQL agreed to alter the employment contracts of four of RQL’s top executives, including the addition of a ‘material adverse change’ clause and a 30 per cent salary increase,” Mr Dickson said.
“On 26 March 2012, just two days after the state election all four executives resigned as employees of RQL, receiving separation payments totalling $1.858 million, including 14 month’s salary, redundancy payments, and their statutory leave entitlements.
The Auditor General has concluded that:
“The Board’s stated rationale for these contract variations was that they were required as a retention strategy for the four executives. This strategy proved to be ineffective in all but the short term, and cost RQL $1.458 million. A significant proportion of this cost is directly attributable to the 30 per cent increase in remuneration of each of these four executives that was also approved by the Board in August 2011.
The inclusion of the ‘material adverse change’ clause changed the stated retention strategy into an exit strategy for the four executives. Taken together with the substantial increase in remuneration of the four executives, it is not evident that this approach was entirely consistent with the fiduciary duty of board members and company officers to act in the best interests of the company.
The Board did not seek to obtain surety in this regard, despite the fact that it was raised as an issue for the Board to consider. It also failed to document key consideration that led to its decisions. At best this reflects poor governance practice.”
“There can be no doubt that the RQL Board put in place extraordinarily favourable employment arrangements that delivered these executives the sweetheart deal of the century, a collective payout of $1.858 million upon their voluntary resignations.”
“At a time when the racing industry was on its knees this money could have been used in any number of ways.”
Other serious issues raised by the Auditor General included:
• The executives getting a 30 per cent pay increase in remuneration with no independent benchmarking undertaken by the Board as to the reasonableness of the increase.
• Retention payments for the four executives were not linked to the achievement of specific performance targets.
• Two executives who stood to benefit financially from the change in their employment conditions were actively involved in the process. This clear conflict between their personal interest and the interest of the company was not satisfactorily addressed by the Board.
Mr Dickson said the Auditor-General found little evidence in RQL’s Board minutes that the responsibilities of directors under the Corporations Act 2001 were actively considered by board members, particularly the requirement to act in good faith and in the best interest of the members of the company.
“It is clear from the Auditor General’s report that the RQL Board acted with little regard for its fiduciary duty,” he said.
Mr Dickson said that this sorry state of affairs was the direct result of the former Labor Government’s poor and reckless mismanagement of the racing industry.
“The former Labor Government totally outsourced all responsibility for racing in Queensland, creating an environment in which the shameful events were allowed to occur,” he said.
Minister Dickson said that the Government was currently considering its position and would make further comment once it had fully digested the report’s findings.
NEW SOUTH WALES OFFICIALS NEED TO START CLEANING UP THEIR ACT
‘NEW South Wales officials want to stop boasting about their big court win over the corporate bookies and start cleaning up their act on the track.
Form reversals, especially from the big stables, are a common occurrence with little or nothing being done to win back the confidence of punters big and small.
Now we are informed that the spate of elevated testosterone tests had led to horses being banned from racing in NSW while answers are sought from overseas laboratories.
These irregularities are being linked by veterinarians working for Racing NSW to the increasing list of well backed runners failing and being found to have been suffering from cardiac arrhythmia.
It is also interesting to note in the Sydney media report that a Queensland-based veterinarian isn’t keen to answer questions about the situation.
Well what is going on with the stewards in the north? Aren’t they interested in getting to the bottom of the problem? Surely they should be assisting their counterparts in NSW to ensure this veterinarian is required to attend an inquiry.
Then again the emphasis on integrity seems to have hit rock bottom since the new powers-that-be took control of racing in Queensland. In fact the news filtering to NSW and Victoria is that there will be no Integrity Department in the north.
Considering the image that Queensland racing has on and off the track one would have thought integrity would be the No 1 priority but apparently it isn’t which poses the big question – Why?’ – Greg Fry, Sydney.
EDITOR’S NOTE: For those who missed the story by TONY WHITE in the SYDNEY SUN-HERALD last Sunday, it raises some alarming questions, one relating to the veterinarian in Queensland and what RQL is doing to address it – probably nothing if the stories are true that we won’t have an Integrity Department, as promised pre-election.
A SPATE of elevated testosterone tests has led to the New South Wales racing regulator barring thoroughbreds from racing while it seeks answers from foreign laboratories.
In the week where Racing NSW announced statewide prizemoney increases, which lead the country, TONY WHITE of THE SUN-HERALD has learnt a veterinarian based in Queensland isn't keen to answer questions.
And an owner of a horse that has had its nomination refused is investigating legal action while Racing NSW has launched a far reaching inquiry.
It coincides with several recent Racing NSW stewards' inquiries into the disappointing performances of favored runners.
Many have been deemed by the regulator's veterinarians to have suffered heart arrhythmia and there has been a plethora of other excuses offered for horses that were expected to excel.
And this latest drug controversy comes atop of two recent positive cases to Synephrine, a prohibited substance that can be found in plants and contaminate feed.
''The bottom line is if I get no resolve I'm going to contact the owners and trainers association to find out all the horses involved in this,'' the owner of a compounded horse told The Sun-Herald.
''My trainer is astounded; he cannot believe what is taking place. If I don't get answers I'm going to ask for a class action to be launched against Racing NSW to recover our costs and stress. If not, I'll sue myself.''
Retesting of horses has taken place and it is believed no thoroughbred will be passed fit to race until results give the all clear.
''Why should my horse be used as a guinea pig,'' the owner said.
The owner's plans to have his horse set for a major race have been thrown into disarray.
It is believed up to a dozen horses have been involved in the testosterone controversy.
The results surfaced in post-race and random testing carried out across the state in recent months.
Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy is attending the upcoming Asian Racing Conference in Turkey and deputy Greg Rudolph confirmed the outbreak.
"A number of horses dotted across the state have returned urine samples with elevated testosterone levels in respect to the current thresholds," Rudolph said.
Rudolph said Racing NSW ''has commissioned a study into the situation" while adding, stewards have taken ''non-race day urine samples''.
"We are leaving no stone unturned,'' Rudolph said.
''Not only urine samples but we're taking samples of feed, having external products tested and looking at travelling conditions. Samples are being sent to three international racing laboratories.''
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME IN QUEENSLAND RACING
‘IT seems when it comes to running racing in Queensland the more things change the more they stay the same.
The new Kevin Dixon Board promised so much but has delivered so little, certainly from a country racing perspective.
Is it little wonder that some country clubs – big and small – are starting to feel so neglected by the new RQL that they are adopting the motto: ‘We of the Never Never?’
Mr Dixon had no sooner got his feet under the Chairman’s Desk than he delivered a nice hand-out to the club of which he was formerly chairman, the BRC.
Then there was the few hundred thousand tossed the way of the Toowoomba Turf Club where Kevin Dixon says jump and chairman Bob Frappell replies: ‘How high sir!’
Have a talk to the officials at Beaudesert or Townsville and see how they feel about the new hierarchy of racing in Queensland. Bear in mind that Townsville was a great supporter of Dixon and a major detractor from the Bentley regime long before the Government changed hands.
Also bear in mind how Beaudesert is strongly LNP territory but that hasn’t stopped the Dixon Board from treating that club very shabbily.
Broken promises seem to be the order of the day unless you happen to be well and truly on-side or as Terry Butts suggested in his column ‘a club isn’t situated north of Noosa.’
Who would have thought only a couple of months under the control of a new Board that country clubs would be referring to themselves as ‘We of the Never Never?’ – John McCann, Brisbane.
EDITOR’S NOTE: IT’S hard to believe that some of these clubs that were so supportive of the LNP before the election and were so looking forward to Kevin Dixon taking over as Chairman of RQL would feel let down so badly in such a short time. Some things can’t happen overnight but some have and that’s where the level playing field argument is being questioned and where Mr Dixon is leaving himself open to suggestions of a conflict of interest. The first things that need to be addressed are the urgent issues, like the track in Townsville which was described recently by former steward Lacey Morrison who has now returned to race riding as ‘below what is required.’ Commitments that were made before the election, an example being the TAB meetings and upgrade promised to Beaudesert, should be fulfilled regardless of the funding situation otherwise it can only be described as a broken promise by the new Government.
FOR those who missed it here’s an excerpt from the ‘Silks & Saddles’ column by Terry Butts:
COUNTRY race clubs are starting to feel so neglected by the new Racing Queensland Board that they are adopting the motto – ‘We of the Never Never.’
Townsville Turf Club, which was one of the biggest supporters of new RQL Chairman Kevin Dixon, is out on a limb – no financial hand-out like the Brisbane Racing Club and Toowoomba Turf Club received post haste – and none likely in the immediate future.
The Country Cups circuit is about to move to Townsville where the club is battling to gets its well worn and weary racetrack into shape.
Mackay and Rockhamton have conducted their carnivals on tracks that cost a combined total of $20 million (and a budgeted maintenance bill that neither club will afford).
Like many other disillusioned country clubs, expecting a better deal from the new RQL and its chairman Dixon, Townsville is adopting the motto: ‘We of the Never Never.’
They were victims of broken promises by the Bentley old guard and seemingly have no cause to be confident of any immediate and much needed assistance by the new regime.
Some might say they are just a tad too far north of Noosa. Brisbane and Toowoomba certainly put their hands out and were quickly rewarded for their loyalty.
Country clubs and stakeholders are asking who and when will there be a country voice or representative appointed to the RQL Board.
Yes, that was another promise that is still awaiting fulfillment.
THE TWO DICKOS NEED TO ADDRESS LICENSING LAWS DISCRIMINATING AGAINST QLD RACING
‘INSTEAD of swanning around the State on junkets to major race days perhaps the new Racing Minister (Steve Dickson) and his sidekick Chairman from Racing Queensland (Kevin Dixon) should address an issue of great concern to the country.
Discrimination of horse racing under the current Licensing laws seems to be an issue that neither the Newman LNP Government nor the new RQL Board of Kevin Dixon is prepared to address.
Two events of the past week have highlighted how big a joke the policing of these archaic and outrageous rules are that prevent children from attending big race days in the country.
The first was the number of kids seen mingling with a beer and spirits intoxicated crowd at the big V8 motor racing event in Townsville last weekend. Children of racing folk are not allowed to attend the Townsville Cup where different rules apply.
Then we had the VRC encouraging families to bring their children to Melbourne Cup week by offering free admission to any under the age of 16 that is accompanied by an adult. And there will be plenty of drunks at Flemington over those four big days.
It is preposterous that these Licensing rules only apply to certain clubs in Queensland. It is equally preposterous that the Newman Government is not prepared to do something to protect the future of racing where the next generation of followers of this great sport could be lost forever.
Instead of just enjoying your junket at these big days Steve Dickson and Kevin Dickson how about showing a bit of balls and forcing through legislation that will make this playing field a level one for the racing industry?
After all isn’t that your job?’ – Dianne Guthrie, Townsville.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Good on you Dianne – couldn’t have said it better myself. The time has come for the politicians and the racing officials to get off their lazy behinds and do something about this farcical situation that is costing racing in Queensland a future generation of young race-goers. You wouldn’t mind if the same rules applied to other major sporting events but they don’t which makes one wonder why. This website for one is not going to weaken on this issue until as you put it Dianne, the powers that be show a ‘bit of balls’ and force through legislation that gives horse racing a fairer deal.
Here’s what Terry Butts wrote about the situation in the North Queensland Register:
THE SAME day as kids mingled with the beer and a spirit-swilling crowd at the Townsville V8s, many mothers were still trying to finalize arrangements for babysitters and the like to look after their little ones on Townsville Cup day,which is still an 18+ event.
IT was also on the very same day the Victoria Racing Club announced that any child under 16 is not only welcome (accompanied an adult), but will be admitted FREE to the Melbourne Cup this year.
NOT the Townsville Cup - THE Melbourne Cup!
Frankly, just how stupid does racing in Queensland look now?
Can our Queensland Government continue to sit back and do absolutely nothing about this abominable legislation that separate mothers from their children on one of the biggest social events of the year?
And can it continue to allow officers of Licensing and Gaming to rattle the sabre at race club committees and threaten outrageous action if they witness an under-age drinker on a racecourse at the same time demanding clubs provide over the top security at great expense.
Surely the task of Licensing and Gaming is to apprehend and deal with offenders.
That’s THEIR job – not to place the onus on the club whose primary function is to run a race meeting.
This Queensland ruling is so wrong, so discriminatory and downright dunce-like that even a politician should be able to realize it.
Incidentally, the Townsville Turf Club was prosecuted over an under-age incident a few years back. It cost the club a decent five figure sum to fight and lose the case in court.
That’s why clubs are reticent to go against Licensing who recommend they opt for an 18+ race day.
But did you know the club still doesn’t know the identity of the under-age offenders who brought about the $10,000+ fine. Surely the club entitled to know.
The committee might wish to bar them from any future race meetings. Anyway, why not?
And did you know that a young mother who just happens to be the wife of a winning trainer on Cup day five years ago is suing the TTC for discrimination after she was barred from taking her baby on to the track to watch and celebrate her husband’s horse win?
That matter is still festering in the courts.
By the way – is ‘Can Do’ Campbell still trimming the fat from the smug and underperforming Government departments?
Just curious!
RQL CHAIRMAN WILL NEED BULLET-PROOF VEST IF HE VISITS TOWNSVILLE FOR CUP
‘UNLESS something is done to improve the Cluden track before the Townsville Cup at the end of the month, new Racing Queensland chairman Kevin Dixon better wear a bullet-proof vest if he junkets north for the big day.
There are those officials not prepared to rock the boat, like the TTC Chairman, but there are others and plenty of racing stakeholders in the Townsville area, far from impressed by the broken promises from the new Board not to mention the LNP Government.
Townsville, like a few other clubs in the country, regards itself as a two-time loser. While they sit back and watch immediate hand-outs to perceived mates of the Dixon Board, some are asking if they are any better off than when Bentley was in control.
Reports continue to filter back of the hoedowns at Brisbane Turf Club meetings with officials from south-east Queensland clubs and the RQ Chairman. That’s fine but what happened to a country voice on the new Board?
From a stakeholders’ perspective Kevin Dixon invites TTC officials like Alan Parry or Kevin O’Keefe to Brisbane for a visit, gives them the snow job treatment, they go home happy and convinced he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread, but nothing happens.
And if you dare to criticize this new regime nothing will happen. And it’s a waste of time taking your case higher to the new Racing Minister because all that will happen is it will be referred back to the RQ Chairman and your club will be even worse off than it is now.
Not a very satisfactory situation and one that the industry should be aware of but not surprisingly there hasn’t been much publicity about the growing dissention in the country apart from some racing web sites and Terry Butts in his excellent, unbiased and objective racing column in the North Queensland Register.’ – Considering the way the stewards operate in NQ, as I am a licensee I would ask that my identity be with-held.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Kevin O’Keefe is a mover and shaker and despite a past business relationship with Kevin Dixon would never be the victim of a ‘snow job.’ They might be mates but when it comes to what Townsville racing needs I am sure KOK will be pulling no punches. Nor will Terry Butts in his column in the Register. Ironically, it seems the new RQ Chairman does not want to deal with Terry because he has been too critical. That’s a shame – thankfully from an industry perspective Kevin not every racing journo adopts the ‘soft cock’ attitude to officialdom of your man Bart.
IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF QUEENSLAND BREEDING – CONCERNS VOICED
‘WE received this e-mail several times from different sources under the same headline: Improving the quality of Queensland breeding and have relented by giving it a run:
'ONE of the previous part-owners of Primus recently purchased the stallion at a William Inglis sale for $8800.
Primus as seen in the brochure I received in the mail is now standing for $3300, at the property of a past president of Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland.
We as Queensland breeders wonder why this state is the laughing stock of the industry.
All of this from a so-called industry leading stud – what a joke!’ – John Woods, Gold Coast.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If the stud concerned wishes to comment on this e-mail we would welcome a reply in next week’s Wednesday Whinge. Other than that I don’t want to comment on the situation.
ANOTHER SATURDAY AND ANOTHER PUNTING DISASTER INVOLVING A MAJOR SYDNEY STABLE
‘ANOTHER Saturday of Sydney racing and more form reversals and failures from one of the big stables. When will it ever change?
Surely the stewards must realize how laughable this situation is becoming. The major stables seem to be doing what they like.
Granted inquiries are being opened and questions are being asked but the answers that are being noted or accepted are simply not good enough.
It was the Chris Waller stable’s turn on Saturday to deliver the knockout blow to punters. Thumbtacks, an impressive winner at his previous start, was well backed and ran near last.
Then the import Stout Hearted, a rank outsider, comes from near last and blows them away while a more fancied runner is relegated to the minor placings.
But to add insult to injury for the punters Madam Nash, which finished 13th of 15 at her previous start, leads throughout and never looks like getting beaten after firming from $21 to $12. Some lame excuse is accepted and the punters cop it up the rear end again.
Sydney racing is the joke of Australia at present and instead of enjoying junkets at overseas stewards’ conferences chairman Ray Murrihy could do well to get his house in order before it reaches a stage where Sydney racing is beyond repair.’ – Ben Black, Sydney.
EDITOR’S NOTE: I have the highest respect for the Sydney stewards’ panel but punters are entitled to be angry. The big stables are treating them with contempt and some of the excuses being provided for form reversals or flops by fancied runners are extremely lame.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in the above e-mails should not be interpreted as those of JOHN LINGARD, the owner of the letsgohorseracing web-site. That is why he has added an ‘EDITOR’S NOTE’. Every endeavor is made to verify the authenticity of contributors. We welcome any reasonable and constructive responses from parties or individuals.