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 was again inundated with concerns about the political crap fight they call Queensland racing. Some involved the old regime and the ‘golden handshakes’ paid to four loyal executives. Others were raised about the new powers that be with claims ‘the more things change the more they stay the same.’ Letsgohorseracing is still on the outer but it doesn’t seem to be having an effect on industry personnel keen to express their feelings in the Wednesday Whinge. Keep them coming and we will keep running them. We’re quite content to remain on the outer. It was never going to be any other way considering the cosy relationship that exists between the RQ chairman and the Courier-Mail Racing Editor. The sad part is they are fooling no-one with the one-sided coverage that is being provided. One nark even commented that they would need just the single seat on the charter flight to St George this weekend for a hoedown with the Racing Minister on Cup Day. He even pinched a line from the old TV show Fantasy Island when describing the close link between the two. It went something like: ‘D’Plane boss, D’Plane.’ What a sad state of affairs.
Here is this e-mail week’s selection with apologies to those who missed out.
OUTRAGEOUS REDUNDANCY FIASCO EXPOSED BY AUDITOR-GENERAL NEEDS FURTHER ACTION
‘AS a rank and file punter I am disturbed about the RQL outrageous redundancy fiasco exposed by the Auditor General’s report outlining the overly generous separation payments to Messrs Tuttle, Orchard, Brennan and Ms Reid.
While the report concludes that payments were ‘properly approved’ punters and stakeholders are entitled to expect the Government will leave no stone unturned in examining all legal options from the Solicitor General on the prospects of recovery of some if not all of these funds.
The Directors who unanimously approved this retention package which turned into an exit strategy with a massive 30 per cent pay rise should not escape further scrutiny of their governance and administration of RQL.
The AG was especially critical of their conduct and it would be reasonable to expect the Government to refer those adverse findings on their governance to the appropriate regulator, the ACCC and/or ASIC, or maybe even the CMC for further consideration.
http://www.qao.qld.gov.au/report-1:2012-13
On 11th July Courier-Mail journalist Robyn Ironside reported that .....“Minutes show the board on April 24 passed a motion, proposed by Mr Bentley, to engage law firm Cooper, Grace and Ward to deal with any legal issues arising from the report.
The motion included an undertaking RQL would pay legal expenses of any members implicated. Mr Bentley left RQL less than a week later.”
This information wasn’t mentioned in the AG’s report which suggests it came from someone in the Deagon bunker.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/handicap-for-racing/story-fn6ck45n-1226422915604
This last hurrah showed Bob’s political antenna was still working overtime, developing the board’s own exit strategy, correctly anticipating the backlash that the Board’s rash decision to so handsomely reward the departing executives with a bucket load of cash would have, and in all probability result in some action being taken against them.
How the new interim board under Chairman Dixon views this potential liability is unknown but it would be surprising if they felt obliged to accept it as binding them to dip into what’s left in the already depleted till to defend the indefensible.
It appears reasonable to think that any such resolution could simply be disposed of by the current Board, now that it has the numbers, by rescinding Bentley’s motion and withdrawing any retainer entered into by the previous Board.’ – Jim Munro, Brisbane.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one of the best e-mails we have ever received since the Wednesday Whinge was launched. For those who missed it here is an explanation from the previous Board on this issue that was published by The Australian under the headline ‘Dumped Directors Hit Back at ‘Unfair’ Racing Queensland Audit Report.’
THE dumped directors of Racing Queensland have hit back at an Auditor-General's report that revealed a failed retention strategy cost the organisation almost $1.9 million as "unfair" and unfounded.
In a statement from law firm Cooper Grace Ward the former board said the Queensland Auditor-General was an "auditor of financial statements" and "not qualified to oversee internal management decisions or to comment upon them".
"The Auditor-General failed to take account of all the evidence," it said.
Queensland Auditor-General Andrew Greaves found the Labor-aligned former Racing Queensland board signed off on 30 per cent pay rises and generous termination entitlements to four senior executives that cost the organisation $1.858 million, in a report to parliament tabled this week.
Mr Greaves said the contract changes, completed in August last year, inserted a clause that designated a change in state government as a "material adverse change" and triggered payouts to the executives if they resigned after the election. They quit two days after the March poll.
But the Cooper Grace Ward statement said the board made decisions "necessary to ensure retention of the four key employees" and rejected the Auditor-General's findings as "unfair and not having regard to the evidence".
It gave a seven-point rejection of the findings and pointed out the board acted on advice.
"There are no findings that the Board or management of RQL breached any law," it said.
"If the Board had refused to negotiate it would have run the risk that the four (or some of them) of the senior management team would have left, thus creating a significant gap in knowledge and experience in the company," it said.
"This would have jeopardised the company's ability to achieve its strategic goal."
The former board's lawyers' statement said the 30 per cent pay jump followed advice showing Queensland executives were paid "well below" their interstate colleagues.
The Auditor-General said the renegotiated contracts meant executives Malcolm Tuttle, Jamie Orchard, Paul Brennan and Shara Reid were paid an additional $1.458m over their termination entitlements from their previous contract, including 14 months salary at the increased rate, redundancy payments and leave provisions.
The auditor's report found the inclusion of the clause "changed the stated retention strategy into an exit strategy for the four executives".
The board included national president of the Australian Workers Union Bill Ludwig and former Racing Queensland chairman Bob Bentley, who have said there was nothing wrong with the contract changes. The other members of the board were Tony Hanmer, Wayne Milner and Bradley Ryan, but the organisation's leadership has been overhauled since the March election when Campbell Newman's Liberal National Party came to office.
The government and Racing Queensland are assessing the findings of the Auditor-General's report.
LAWYERS CONTINUE TO BE THE BIG WINNERS EVEN AFTER THE BENTLEY BOARD IS GONE
‘THE Bob Bentley Board may be gone but seem hell-bent on ensuring they are not forgotten. But the big winners continue to be the lawyers.
It was interesting to see the former Board defend their ‘golden handshakes’ to four loyal servants with a statement issued by the law firm of Cooper Grace Ward.
They were among a select group of lawyers who benefited greatly when the Bentley Board ran the show. One would like to know just how much was paid out in legal fees and consultancies during that era, especially to one particular ‘friend of the RQ family.’
The up side of the current battle is that the former Board is now faced with paying their own legal bills instead of relying on industry funds which could have been far better used for prize-money increases.
Perhaps the new RQ Board should send Bentley and his crew the hefty legal bill that the industry will have to pay in the wake of the decision to farewell four former loyal RQ executives at a cost of almost $1.9 million.’ – Graham Gallagher, Brisbane.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is no doubt the story that prompted the above response:
RACING Queensland could be saddled with hefty legal bills as a result of a motion passed by the former board shortly before the departure of controversial chairman Bob Bentley, according to board minutes.
The news comes weeks after Mr Bentley farewelled four executives with a $1.858 million golden handshake.
Minutes show the former board passed a motion that Racing Queensland Limited pay legal bills for board members for matters arising from an auditor-general's report.
The report, tabled in State Parliament yesterday, examined the sum paid to the four senior staff: chief executive Malcolm Tuttle, director of integrity operations Jamie Orchard, director of product development Paul Brennan and company secretary Shara Reid.
It found the four would have walked away with $308,000 between them, had the board, led by Mr Bentley, not added a clause to their employment contracts and granted them a 30 per cent pay rise.
This rise ensured they pocketed an extra $429,000, the report found.
The report states a "material adverse change" clause allowed the executives to resign after the state election and receive 14 months salary, plus redundancy payments based on length of service and leave entitlements.
The clause was allegedly added in August 2011, after the executives were told by Mr Bentley to write down their concerns about their future in light of the 2012 state election.
The Auditor-General's report found two executives who stood to benefit financially from the change in their employment conditions were actively involved in the process.
Minister for Racing Steve Dickson said in a media statement he was reviewing the report and seeking legal advice.
Minutes show the board on April 24 passed a motion, proposed by Mr Bentley, to engage law firm Cooper, Grace and Ward to deal with any legal issues arising from the report.
The motion included an undertaking RQL would pay legal expenses of any members implicated. Mr Bentley left RQL less than a week later.
WEB SITES LABELED ‘WANKERS’ IN WAKE OF RQ ‘EXCLUSIVE’ TO COURIER-MAIL
WE received many e-mails (some were critical of us) concerning the Media Release on the bush racing initiative that caused this website to question the ethics of Racing Queensland. Here are three that we hope get the general message across:
‘THE time has come for web site wankers like you and Purser to get down off your high horses and accept the reality that when it comes to coverage The Courier-Mail wins hands down.
Why wouldn’t Racing Queensland deliver an exclusive to Bart Sinclair? He promotes the cause of racing in this state, adopts a positive approach and unlike letsgohorseracing and justracing does not focus on every negative that arises.
Bart has been around longer and will be remembered long after you, Purser and your grubby web sites are gone and forgotten. Let’s face it the only medium for RQ to get exposure of a positive nature is The Courier-Mail.
Whilst I felt the importance of the release about the bush racing initiative deserved a better coverage than it was provided by the CM, might I suggest many more thousands read it than would have even visited your two web sites combined?
If I was running Racing Queensland (but why would I want to when Kevin Dixon is doing such a wonderful job), I wouldn’t even bother sending media releases to web sites that aren’t supportive of the new control body.’ – Dudley Griffin, Gold Coast.
EDITOR’S NOTE: THIS e-mail could not have been better orchestrated from the bowels of RQ or the BRC. Dudley you have shown yourself to be an absolute clown when it comes to knowledge of the racing media. The Courier-Mail survived because its two rivals were shut down to ensure that happened but it still struggles – like all newspapers – to attract circulation. One would have thought that RQ would adopt the approach that if you have a good story to tell then shout it from the roof-tops or more to the point use every available outlet to distribute your message. If you want to make it an exclusive to The Courier-Mail then do so but don’t treat rivals with contempt by placing them on a ‘strict embargo’ hours after it has appeared in the mainstream daily.
WEB SITES HAD TO BE ‘NAÏVE’ TO EXPECT LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FROM RQ ON MEDIA RELEASES
‘KNOWING the relationship between the Racing Queensland Chairman and the Racing Editor of The Courier-Mail surely you weren’t naïve enough to expect a level playing field when it came to major Media Releases.
Don’t you realize we are back to the days of the Queensland Turf Club dictatorship when it comes to the control body in this state? You silly sausage, hasn’t anyone told you that Dixon and Sinclair are joined at the hip? What rock have you been sleeping under?
You can blow up all you like about media ethics it will only strengthen their resolve to treat you like crap. You would have achieved more by saying nothing.
They way it was done they could always have said that The Courier-Mail broke the embargo. We all know how this was orchestrated but at the end of the day it was hardly a ‘hold the presses’ story anyway.
RQ obviously couldn’t give a damn about the web sites that criticize them. This was just a good old-fashioned square up. Two things are obvious to the industry in Queensland – the new Chairman cannot cope with criticism and the Racing Editor of The Courier-Mail will always ensure he gets none.’ – Rather than risk having my current media privileges with RQL revoked I would ask that you don’t reveal my identity.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Forget the web sites the outlets that missed out badly here were the country newspapers where this was an important release for their readers. They were treated very shabbily which is sad because it is vital for RQL to get the message across that something is being done for country and bush racing. Not only was the story badly positioned in CM Sport but many outside of Brisbane don’t buy the Brisbane daily but rely on their regional publications for the news. But while Kevin Dixon and his Board continue to consult their subservient mates in the media on communications issues they deserve all the bad advice they get.
RATHER THAN ‘$3 A WEEK’ THEY OUGHT TO CONVERT THE LOCAL RAG INTO A THROW-AWAY
‘I read your ‘swipe’ at The Courier-Mail and its Racing Editor Sinclair with a great deal of amusement.
If RQ is prepared to pay the price by giving a newspaper (on an iron lung) an exclusive story as they did – talk about shooting themselves in the foot – RQ has not only achieved their aim but they will have blown ‘the toes off both feet’ so to speak.
The good old Courier has a total circulation which would go nowhere near the ‘hits’ web sites such as yours and Just Racing would enjoy.
A large percentage of the folk who would receive any benefit from such a promotion would either not receive the paper until later in the day (and in some cases the next day).
It is quite obvious that as far as Racing News is concerned in the Courier it is close to being a non-event.
Does this mean there could be one or two too many Turf Editors?
To add weight to my theory my neighbor received a phone call from a promotional crew earlier in the week offering a SPECIAL DEAL OF HAVING THE COURIER DELIVERED TO HIS HOME FOR $7 per week.
He declined the offer. SO WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL – there was a second offer of $3 PER WEEK.
He still declined on the grounds there wasn’t anything newsworthy in the paper.
I suggest Mr Sinclair that you organize a ‘throwaway paper’ two or three times a week containing your fish and chips wrapper racing news – OR GIVE SOMEONE ELSE A GO.’ - Maurie Connor, Brisbane.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Cripes Maurie I hope it’s not right that you can get the CM delivered for $3 a week if you hold out for a better deal. I’m paying more than it’s worth at $7 a week for the privilege of trying to find it every day (why they can’t just lob it on the lawn remains a mystery). To be honest I can get all the news I need on the web but old habits die hard where newspapers are concerned. Unfortunately racing coverage in today’s Brisbane daily is a major embarrassment compared to the era when Jim Anderson, Keith Noud, Peter Cameron, John Curtis, Rod Gallegos, Larry Pratt and Mark Oberhardt provided coverage. Anderson and Noud were close to officialdom but didn’t stop their back-ups like Cameron and Gallegos from writing objective criticism without the risk of being banned from writing racing or dispatched to the courts or shipping news. The sooner the Racing Editor takes an early retirement and goes to work for RQ or the BRC the better. Then a talented young racing writer like Nathan Exelby can step into the chair and once again the CM will have a racing coverage that is worth reading and not simply propaganda for the ‘in crowd.’
‘NO SURPRISE TO SEE NEW RQL REGIME SHUT OF SCRUTINY BY SOME RACING WEB SITES’
‘IT is no surprise that the current regime at the Deagon Bunker is a bit shy of scrutiny from web sites like yours.
Before the last election, the LNP promised all sections of the industry that they would have a vote on the make-up of the new Board.
Well despite the clear out of the old guard, there has been no industry vote to appoint the new chairman or new board, despite six new appointments.
What a joke!
Rather than knocking the bunker down, the current regime has fortified the foundations with a series of appointments that would have even Russ Hinze blushing.
Not surprisingly, the usual mouthpieces from the BRC and Courier Mail that spoke up against the previous regime have fallen silent.
As the old saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.’ – Michael White, Sandgate.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We have had several e-mails on this issue Michael and realize that this is an umbrella body that is in place and that the RQ Board is yet to come. But every time a web site like ours asks a question of the new powers that be it is accused of Dixon bashing. Doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as Bentley bashing though – does it? We have a series of questions that we are putting together which will be sent firstly to the RQ Chairman and then, if he elects not to answer these, will be passed on to the Racing Minister and eventually will find its way to the Premier. These questions relate to a number of issues, high on the list are the rumors sweeping the industry about integrity, or lack of it in future. We understand that there will be yet another wrongful dismissal challenge to a recent sacking at RQ during which some very dirty linen will be aired and we will be sure to provide the details to the industry as there is no chance of it appearing in the mainstream racing media. We also understand that two high profile and respected racing identities have taken up very serious issues with the Racing Minister in recent weeks. We are keeping our powder dry on these to see what happens after a promised investigation into their concerns. Things are about to get very interesting within the Deagon bunker. We can’t wait!
WAS THE GOLD COAST DEVELOPMENT AN INITIATIVE OF THE LNP OR LABOR GOVERNMENT?
‘CAN you please explain your suggestion that the new Racing Queensland Board and LNP Government has done nothing for any clubs apart from the BRC and Toowoomba?
Wasn’t there recently announced a major commitment that will see the Gold Coast Turf Club enjoy a massive redevelopment courtesy of the new powers that be?
Rather than be critical why don’t you do your homework?’ – Glen Jones, Gold Coast.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If my memory serves me correctly Glen this project at the GCTC was also part of a commitment under the Infrastructure Plan approved by the Bentley Board and financed by the Bligh Labor Government.
I don’t doubt that it has been progressed by the Dixon Board and the Newman LNP Government and am only too happy to run what the Racing Minister that should have been, Ray Stevens, had to say in Parliament about this initiative recently:
Mr STEVENS (Mermaid Beach—LNP): Today I rise to congratulate the Premier and
the Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing on their announcement and pledge to rejuvenate and upgrade the Gold Coast Turf Club for the development of the racing industry in my region.
The Gold Coast Turf Club is one of the major tourism facilities in Queensland. It runs one of the major events in Queensland. Campbell Newman pledged to build a four-pillar economy. One of those pillars is tourism, and the Gold Coast Turf Club is a very important part of our tourism industry.
The redevelopment of the Gold Coast Turf Club will be handled by the leading architectural firm HBO+EMTB, which has expertise in developing strategies to create developments that are constrained and limited by their surrounding environment. I must declare my interest in this matter.
The Gold Coast Turf Club is very close to my heart. I have been of member of that club for nigh on 30 years.
The redevelopment of the Gold Coast Turf Club will be a cohesive and integrated development that will accommodate all aspects of this very important equine precinct, which was developed in 1992 by the Gold Coast City Council. This equine precinct has to be developed and preserved in a way that protects its surrounding environment and improves the Gold Coast Turf Club’s facilities to an international standard, which I am sure HBO+EMTB will be able to achieve.
I might say that there is no bigger international event in Queensland than the Magic Millions, which is held at the Gold Coast Turf Club. It is a wonderful event that is recognized by some of the big money players throughout the world.
Quite clearly, the facilities at the Gold Coast Turf Club require this upgrade.
This design firm has been responsible for some of the largest and most impressive developments or redevelopments in Australia and across the globe, including the Crown Casino in Melbourne—which is a good little spot, too—the National Gallery of Australia, which is wonderful, and the rugby league headquarters in Sydney.
This commitment by the Campbell Newman government is part of the LNP’s $110 million promise for racing infrastructure. This will not be a promise; we are delivering.
This is in contrast to the actions of the former Labor government, which promised so much for the racing industry—it kept promising and promising, gave them new schemes and all this rubbish about the racing industry—but delivered nothing but headaches.
The Chairman of Racing Queensland, Kevin Dixon, and the Chairman of the Gold Coast Turf Club, Brett Cook, are both very pleased about the $35.4 million funding commitment for the redevelopment of this central racing precinct on the Gold Coast. The first stage will cost approximately $9 million for this architectural beauty that will come forward for the patrons of the Gold Coast Turf Club and the residents of the Gold Coast.
I notice in today’s Gold Coast Bulletin a former racing journalist criticized the upgrade of the facilities of the Gold Coast Turf Club quite erroneously. It is a chicken-and-egg situation.
He said that you do not get crowds there at the club. You will not get crowds if you do not have a good facility. It is like people not going to an old and decrepit Lang Park. We have the beautiful Suncorp Stadium and the people flock there.
We need good facilities for the racing industry, just like we need good facilities for every other sporting interest throughout Queensland.
The Magic Millions yearling sales and racing carnival have a fantastic international reputation.
The upgrade of the Gold Coast Turf Club will be completed in time for the 2013 Magic Millions carnival.
It will be a celebration for all racing aficionados. Devoted and loyal racing fans will love it.
This redevelopment of the Gold Coast Turf Club will revitalize the racing industry on the Gold Coast and will also secure the development and growth of the industry for the future.
I thank the Premier and the Minister for their commitment to the racing industry in my region and in other regions across Queensland.
It has been a long, 20-year wait to have a government that understands the racing industry and that delivers on its promises for all race-going Queenslanders.
I make the point that the Gold Coast City Council is looking at further options for the equine precinct at the Gold Coast Turf Club. That precinct has been protected, and that is why today it is such a successful club.
If any further changes are made – if the Gold Coast City Council is considering building an entertainment precinct or a facility in which to hold the Gold Coast show, for instance – they have to be consistent with the fact that this facility is an equine precinct.
Obviously, a show celebrating rural pursuits fits into that category.
We must make sure the equine precinct is protected in any future consideration of any activity in this area.
For 20 years the racing industry suffered horrendously under the previous Labor government.
Fortunately we now have a government that appreciates the important role racing plays in the social fabric of society in the cities and country towns across Queensland. It plays a major role in the social activity of the community and we will support it today, tomorrow and every day the LNP is in government.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LENIENCY AFFORDED THE MOORE FAMILY IN HONG KONG AND MACAU
‘FOR some time now I have been a keen follower of racing in Asia and I cannot believe the leniency that is afforded the Moore family.
What surprises me more about this perceived favoritism is the reputation of toughness that is associated with the Australian stewards who officiate in Hong Kong and Macau.
There has to be some question mark over that if your name happens to be Moore. Now we have a case in Hong Kong where Gary Moore has been fined but dodged suspension or disqualification after one of his horses returned a positive to a ‘go slow’ drug.
Adding insult to injury his brother, John, the top Hong Kong trainer, is bleating about the size of the fine which is reportedly a world record. Nevertheless, Gary escaped spending any time on the sideline which is the norm for this offence in Macau.
Much is made about the form reversals of the big stables in Sydney and how often the second string runner upsets the more fancied one trained by the likes of Waller, Waterhouse or Snowden.
What happens with John Moore-trained horses in Hong Kong on a regular basis without the stewards even batting an eye-lid dwarfs what is happening in Sydney.
So next time someone tells you how tough these Australian stewards and officials are in Hong Kong and Macau just remind them that it seems to depend on who is in trouble at the time.’ – Sammy Lau, Sydney.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is a report by Alan Aiken in the South China Morning Post on the recent situation involving Gary Moore that the above e-mail refers to:
Leading Macau trainer Gary Moore has been fined HK$500,000 - a sum believed to equal the world record - for a positive drug test returned by one of his horses, but will be allowed to continue his fight for the championship.
Moore, seven times champion Hong Kong jockey and a multiple championship-winning trainer in Macau, sent out Francis to finish runner-up in the Listed Lisboa Challenge in April, after which the horse returned a positive to atenolol.
The monetary component of the fine equals the HK$500,000 fine handed out by the Macau Jockey Club in 2009 to Stephen Leung Sik-lun, who had seven positive drug tests, although Leung was also disqualified for two years.
"Normally, in past cases in Macau, trainers with a positive drug test have been fined as well as suspended or disqualified," said the Macau Jockey Club director of racing, Michael Beattie.
"However, Gary Moore put to us a significant plea to consider a fine only, rather than action against his licence, as he is involved in a tight race to retain his trainers' championship. So the fine today is a calculation based on the fine plus ban which would usually have been the case and we felt there should be a premium on it as it occurred in a black type [listed] race."
Atenolol is a drug used in humans for the treatment of hypertension by slowing the heart.
It does not appear by name on the list of banned substances but comes under the general heading of a beta blocker drug, and all such drugs are prohibited.
In the late 1980s, Sydney racing was struck by a rash of findings of the drug timolol, also a beta blocker, used as a highly effective go-slow on short-priced favourites.
"Yes, in significant amounts, it is a go-slow but we aren't talking a significant amount in this case," Beattie said. "However, under the rules, there is no acceptable threshold for beta blockers. Other than that, I have no further comment as Gary Moore has a right of appeal."
Moore called on his brother John, Hong Kong's reigning champion trainer, to give evidence at yesterday's inquiry as an expert witness on what Moore described as "a contamination case".
"I am absolutely shocked at the size of the fine for a minuscule amount of the drug present," said John Moore yesterday.
"It certainly means I will reserve judgment on whether I want to take the risk of running horses in the interport races in Macau in the future if this can happen and I'm sure the other Hong Kong trainers will have a good think about it, too."
John Moore was not charged in a Hong Kong "contamination case" in 2010, when a sample from his horse, Ming Hoi Treasure, was found after a race to contain a minute amount of a banned substance which was never officially identified but is believed to have been cocaine.
Chief steward Kim Kelly said at that time that he had informed Moore of the presence of the drug as a courtesy to the trainer.
Kelly said that the Jockey Club analyst had "formed the view that the presence of the substance could have had no influence on performance" and that the evidence was "overwhelming that the level detected would very likely be due to inadvertent exposure of the horse to the substance close to the race."
Another Hong Kong trainer, Ricky Yiu Poon-fai, had a contamination case with Shahjee returning a ketamine positive in March last year.
The horse was found to have had contact with the drug via normal daily routines involving his mafoo, who had a previous history of drug use, and who was subsequently warned off by the club.
REPORTS CONTINUE OF GROWING DISENCHANTMENT AMONG QROA MEMBERSHIP
‘CHAOS reigned supreme this week at the Queensland Racehorse Owners’ Association (QROA) when the membership renewals sent to all members contained the wrong details.
In fact all renewals contained only the details of the current president and her husband, who just happens to be the secretary.
The error was compounded the following day, when members were asked to just ignore the mistake and cough up their $55 anyway.
The debacle came on the back of the axing of the long-term secretary who had this process down to a fine art.
Meanwhile, disenchantment amongst the membership grows particularly in regard to the total lack of consultation with members on any proposed response to the Sustainability Review of Queensland Racing.
The QROA has remained mute on the issue, as they take a small target approach and refuse to stick their head up on any issue.
Meanwhile they continue to lobby Queensland Racing for $50,000 funding, even though they represent just over 400 of 18,000 owners in Queensland.
I think it’s high time that Owners stood up for themselves and formed a new group.
If not, they risk being ignored in all future decisions if they continue to be represented by the current ‘basket case’ of an association.’ – Aaron Black, Clayfield.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We would welcome a response from the QROA on these concerns. If that is not forthcoming perhaps Racing Queensland would like to tell us how they could justify the expenditure of $50,000 of industry funds with reports of such turmoil within the Association. We won’t be holding our breath for the latter.
HAS THIS MEDIA BAN AT CLIFFORD PARK JUST BEEN SWEPT UNDER THE CARPET?
‘YOU promised in a recent Editor’s Note to follow up complaints that the mounting enclosure at Clifford Park had been declared ‘off limits’ to the media because of safety concerns.
What happened to that reply from the Toowoomba Turf Club or have you put it in the ‘too hard’ basket because it might embarrass the wrong people?
The joke of the day is that while regular racing journalists and photographers were barred from doing their job access was not limited to some officials and their families, including young children.
What an absolute disgrace but that is how things are run when you have a situation when every time the RQ chairman tells the TTC chairman to jump, he says: ‘How high sir.’ – As I am a licensee on the Downs I would ask that my identity not be revealed at the risk of me sitting on the sideline.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We had planned to follow this one up but the TTC Chairman does not talk to this web site anymore because of our breakdown in communications with the new RQL Chairman. So on this farcical situation we cannot help except to say that if legitimately accredited media personnel are being prevented from doing their job they should firstly take the issue up with RQL and if they have no joy there then take it to the Media Alliance and ask them to intervene – after all that’s their job.
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.
