THIS website 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..
THERE were some especially interesting e-mails this week ranging from revelations of plans to now increase the size of the new Toowoomba track to praise the work of the Integrity Unit in Victoria compared to that in NSW and Victoria and anger at alleged comments made by a leading trainer in Queensland about his country colleagues. These are but a few selected to run from an interesting mail box this week.
As usual we start the Wednesday Whinge with our popular feature: THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY SIDE OF RACING over the past week:
STARTING WITH THE GOOD
PLAN TO INCREASE SIZE OF NEW TOOWOOMBA TRACK BUT WHAT WILL THIS COST?
IT would seem that an 11th hour plan has been put in place to appease those in the industry who are complaining about field size limits on the new Strathayr track proposed for Clifford Park in Toowoomba.
We told you last week how it had been revealed that the maximum number of starters from the 1200m on the new track will be limited to 12 and that’s with the rail in the true position.
There has been no official response from Racing Queensland – which comes as no great surprise – but we understand that concerns raised by the Australian Trainers’ Association on behalf of members were addressed when RQ Chairman Kevin Dixon met with them last week.
The ‘rescue’ plan for the new track is to make it bigger by including the area of the old grass track that is currently used by the ambulance to follow the field. That would enable extra runners when the rail is in the true position.
But here’s the ‘catch’ that hasn’t been mentioned. Increasing the size of the track will mean construction will cost more – at least $1 million.
The spending of more millions on Toowoomba – where the industry is in turmoil and the punters aren’t interested in betting – probably explains why some of the narks reckon the TTC stands for The Titanic Club.
News of this has just filtered through to other centres desperate for upgrades – one club in particular in the north that thought it would get a new track as well but now isn’t so sure – and the reaction has not been good.
Once again we pose the question of behalf of those in the industry who want to criticize but are worried what the repercussions might be for their clubs.
How can an Interim Board agree to the expenditure of millions of dollars on projects like Toowoomba and Albion Park?
The decision making should be left to those appointed to run the new Boards which is now due to happen within the next month or so we are told.
Perhaps the Interim Board knows more than we do, or for that matter the rest of the industry, and the rumors are correct that the status quo will stand.
No changes, just more of the same that we have seen in the last six months, which has led to allegations of conflicts of interest and favoritism to clubs loyal to the cause, like Toowoomba.
IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING REUNION BETWEEN THE ‘BODYGUARD’ AND THE ‘FEED MERCHANT’
REMEMBER Jon Zeilke, the trainer who hit the headlines when he moved to Brisbane from Home Hill with his star youngster Our Civic Hope, then won during the Melbourne Cup carnival with Kengrande?
Well he’s making a comeback to the training ranks after several years in the security business and is planning to re-establish in Mackay which he believes has a future as a racing centre.
Zelkie recently told the Mackay Telegraph: “I have had some really good jobs in the security industry over the years which have kept my interest, including some body-guarding work for Kelly Roland from Destiny’s Child and Rio Tinto chairman Jan Du Plessis, but I still had itchy feet and kept wondering about a return to racing.
“I had kept my license renewed and for the past two years I have been looking for the right place to make a fresh start and move out of Brisbane back to the country. I have been talking to some people in Mackay and decided it’s the spot.”
Consider Jon’s body-guarding career it could make for an interesting rendezvous with a former Brisbane feed merchant, now working as a steward in North Queensland. Zeilke had a run-in of sorts with him (we kind of remember it involved a baseball bat) some years ago.
To think that this former feed merchant is now working as a steward while Patrick Cooper – one of the best in the business is stacking groceries in a supermarket – probably best sums up the integrity scene in racing in Queensland.
NOW TO THE BAD
RACING MINISTER SIDELINED BY BACK PROBLEM – WE WISH HIM A SPEEDY RECOVERY
THE news has finally filtered through that Racing Minister Steve Dickson has been sidelined with a back complaint that required attention. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Having said that, does this mean that he will not be in Parliament for the much awaited announcement of the new Boards, in particular the Industry All Codes Board, in the near future.
The critics say that won’t make any difference and that Treasurer Tim Nicholls, who is really running the racing show behind the scenes, will step up to the plate and deliver the bad news to those expecting some change.
The Vatican is capable of naming a new Pope in a tenth of the time that this drawn out process of appointing Racing Boards is taking in Queensland under the LNP Government.
If, when the white smoke emerges from the chimney at the Deagon Bunker, there is no country voice on the All Codes Board, and racing in Queensland basically gets a carbon copy of those who have been there from the start, then many stakeholders will believe there is no hope for the future – prizemoney will continue to stagnate, integrity will be virtually non-existent and some clubs will flourish will others will be left to perish on the vine.
QUEENSLAND CONTROL OF TWEED HEADS GREYHOUNDS LONG WAY FROM A DONE DEAL
THE inside mail from across the NSW border is that those trumpeting the transfer of Tweed Heads greyhound racing control to Queensland should not be cracking open the champagne just yet.
For starters it would require the NSW Government to change the Racing Act to enable Greyhound Racing Queensland to control a club under NSW jurisdiction.
Add to that the intracacies of who would be responsible for the TAB meetings, especially considering the Tabcorp auditorium license that Border Park currently holds which presents a major stumbling block for the planned change.
The question that greyhound followers in NSW need to ask is: Considering the financial plight currently facing the racing industry in Queensland and the political bun fight and allegations of favoritism confronting the new powers that be north of the border, where would their future be better served?
Our valued and regular contributor Jim Carlton writes that he is confused by the situation considering Greyhound Racing NSW has subsequently advised that it has the full endorsement of the NSW Board, something which was not mentioned in the original Media Release involving Tweed Heads.
Jim suggests followers of the sport should read a contributed article entitled ‘WEED ON THE TWEED,’ by BRUCE TEAGUE in the News Section of the AUSTRALIAN RCING GREYHOUND website at www.australianracing.com.
IF THE ADELAIDE CUP MOVES TO MAY WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR QUEENSLAND CARNIVAL?
A move to have the Adelaide Cup run in May next year could have interesting repercussions for the Queensland Carnival.
Queensland officials have worked hard to dodge clashes with the major races in South Australia – surely the Australian Racing Board will move to avoid a return to that situation.
CRAIG COOK wrote in the ADELAIDE ADVERTISER this week: WHETHER the Adelaide Cup is run in March or May next year is heading for a heated showdown.
On the eve of the 144th running of the state's premier race, members of the South Australian Jockey Club are plotting to take control of the debate.
The fire has been ignited by a members newsletter issued jointly by SAJC chairman, Tony Newman, and the club's chief executive, Brenton Wilkinson.
The newsletter states in part:
"After a period of public consultation the State Government recently announced it would not move the Adelaide Cup Day public holiday to May as requested by our club and supported by Thoroughbred Racing SA.
After due consideration, the board has determined the 2014 Cup will be run in March. This position will be revisited following the March 2014 State Election."
The newsletter has incensed members who believe the decision to keep the Cup in March for 2014 has not yet been ratified by the board and, in any event, it is the wrong decision in the interests of racing.
"That letter is really asking for trouble," a prominent SAJC member told The Advertiser.
"I estimate that 85 per cent of members want to go to May, with or without a public holiday.
"The leadership doesn't wish to rock the boat with the government - but there is a strong core group who are saying 'stuff the government what have they ever done for us recently'."
The official SAJC stance is confused with Wilkinson stating on Tuesday - and just prior to the release of the newsletter - that the SAJC did not yet have a final position.
"We haven't had a board meeting yet to give the final position but my recommendation to the board is that we stay in March for 2014," he said.
"We met with John Rau (Deputy Premier) and was told that the public holiday was status quo until after the 2014 (state) election.
"We also met with the Liberal Party and they told us if we moved to May independently it would be much harder for them (if they gain power) to move the holiday after the event."
The next SAJC board meeting is scheduled for April but members are planing a pre-emptive strike.
An SAJC members forum on March 21st is being billed as "a dynamite event" that will conclude with a push for a special members meeting.
At that time - and if a motion is successful - the expectation is the SAJC board will be directed to ratify a move back to May in 2014.
Any decision will need to be signed off by TRSA, the authority for the code.
TRSA chief executive Jim Watters is a taking a conciliatory approach.
"We would have to sit down with them (SAJC) and discuss matters if they wanted a charge," Watters said.
"Running an Adelaide Cup without a public holiday creates lots of issues.
"People say run it on a Saturday, but we wouldn't be guaranteed the interstate trainers and jockeys coming then and we would struggle for national attention."
This year is the 40th anniversary of the Adelaide Cup receiving public holiday status in 1973.
Running a Cup other than on a Monday and with a public holiday is untested in modern times.
Big race meetings held on a Sunday in SA have been trialled.
They have largely been a failure with poor racetrack attendances and reduced off-course TAB turnover. Holding a Adelaide Cup on a Wednesday is also a risk.
AND FINALLY THE UGLY
STARTING THE WRONG HORSE THAT WAS HEAVILY BACKED TO WIN AT THE 'RED HOTS' WAS AN 'HONEST MISTAKE'
THE trainer accused of starting the wrong horse who won at a lowly bush trots meeting has claimed it was all an "honest mistake".
Trainer-driver Robert Clement landed in hot water with stewards on Saturday when Final Count won the second race at Narrabri's non-TAB meeting.The only problem was Final Count was in fact Clement's better-performed stablemate Banyula Fella, who started as the $1.70 favorite and never looked like being beaten.
CHRISTIAN NICOLOUSSI reports in the DAILY TELEGRAPH that Banyula Fella is a seven-year-old gelding who has won close to $50,000 in prizemoney. Four-year-old Final Count has $10,000 in career earnings.Once all bets had been paid out at Narrabri, the vet realised there had been a ring-in, and an inquiry was opened.
Clement told The Daily Telegraph he had only just returned from a third disqualification, and there was no way he was going to run the risk of a life ban - and end his career - by rorting a $1500 bush meeting. Stewards were last night sifting through evidence, including a statement taken from gate attendant Vincent Brennan, who allowed the wrong horse on the track.
Chief stipe Reid Sanders said the race had attracted plenty of publicity, including several media inquiries from overseas.While some were comparing the mix-up to the Fine Cotton affair - the infamous 1984 race that would have netted millions of dollars - it's understood the Narrabri race held just $1300.
Clement, 47, said both his horses looked the same, and he was shattered when he learned of the blunder.
"This is an honest mistake," he said. "The two horses look similar. The horse I drove in the race I only bought eight days earlier."
THE INSULTS WERE FLYING WHEN BOB’S OLD MATES MET WITH THEIR NEW WHITE KNIGHT
IF the racing rumor mill is anywhere near accurate the insults were flying thick and fast when the Queensland Trainers’ Association last week met with their new White Knight, RQ Chairman Kevin Dixon, to iron out a few industry issues.
RQ seems determined to recognize only the QTA despite the fact that they are not in any way representative of the views of trainers statewide. But they are loyal to the Chairman and it would seem that’s what matters most in Queensland racing these days.
Our reports suggest that Mr Dixon provided a report on the new track planned for Toowoomba and how concerns over minimum field sizes had been addressed.
Some wanted to know why not sell Clifford Park and move to a new site that had been discussed outside of Toowoomba on Government-owned land. This was apparently quickly hosed down with a suggestion that one prominent Downs trainer only wanted racing moved there because he owned a nearby lucerne paddock. The assertion that there has never been a suggestion to move is laughable.
Then there was discussion on a new Workcover levy, which many in the country believe is stacked in favor of the bigger trainers in the south-east. Most concerns centre on owners-trainers.
The insult made by one prominent Brisbane-based trainer who allegedly branded his colleagues in North Queensland ‘a bunch of grubs’ has caused much ill-feeling and the knives are out.
We promise to keep you up-dated.
MEMBERS OF A CLUB COMPETITION WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE $10,000 JACKPOT HAS GONE
THERE may well be a reasonable explanation and for legal reasons we cannot provide full detail of several e-mails received concerning the following.
Members of a prominent TAB club – we won’t even say which state it is from – are concerned that a weekend members’ draw has been discontinued over recent weeks.
They are claiming that close to $10,000 contributed by members over many months may have gone missing and are that questions regarding this are being ignored by club officials.
Members say they enjoyed the weekly competition and want some answers. If these are not forthcoming the matter will soon be taken up with the police with requests for a fraud investigation to be launched.
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF A CEO AT RQ?
RACING Queensland has still not appointed a Chief Executive to replace Malcolm Tuttle who departed with other loyal staff members from the Bob Bentley era with a pocket full of cash.
No-one is complaining about the stand-in job being done by General Manager of Corporate Services, Adam Carter, but there is a growing call for the top job to be advertised – even internationally – to ensure the best possible candidates.
Perhaps RQ is waiting for the new Boards to be appointed which is a bit of a surprise considering the interim body has been prepared to move on controversial issues like a new track for Toowoomba and a new grandstand complex for Albion Park.
What has many in the industry most concerned is the rumor that an official of a stake-holder group has his eyes on the job and is making no secret of his intentions.
As one high profile race club official e-mailed: “This bloke is no rocket scientist. In fact he struggles to do his current job. If Dixon and his crew are fair dinkum the only way he could win the CEO job at RQ is in a raffle.”
Now here is the e-mail contributions in full that we have elected to publish this week with apologies to those who missed out:
DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH WAITING FOR NSW OR QLD TO FOLLOW VICTORIA LEAD ON INTEGRITY
‘LET’S face it Racing Victoria has shown that the only way to attack integrity problems in racing is on the front foot.
The RV Compliance Assurance Team continues to catch the would-be offenders and it is of great interest that some of those in the net come from New South Wales and Queensland.
The reason I mention this is that Racing NSW continues to pump up its Integrity status but shows very little results while Racing Queensland has closed down its Integrity Department and the punters and industry in general is waiting to see if it will ever re-open.
While the RV Integrity continues to impress all but those who were intent on breaking the rules in relation to illegal pre-race treatment of horses, all that ‘Marshall’ Murrihy and his panel seem intent on doing is a ‘walk through’ of some stables on race morning.
It’s almost like: ‘Hi guys, put the kettle on, we’ll be around in the morning.’ They might as well advertise the regular morning visits which are destined to net not one scalp.
Meanwhile, up in Queensland where the new racing bosses obviously believe that integrity is no longer an issue, next to nothing is being done.
Not only is there a lack of confidence in racing on and off the track, questions are being asked why the new RQ would not want to head down the same track as Victoria if they really were fair dinkum about presenting a ‘squeaky clean’ image.
With some of the stories doing the rounds about certain stables in the north it needs to happen sooner rather than later.
But there is about as much chance of an RQ Compliance Assurance Team jumping fences chasing wrong-doers as there is of Queensland taking over the mantle of racing in Australia as the Racing Minister suggested at a recent industry function.’ - Basil McMahon, Brisbane.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The new Government promised an independent Integrity Department. The industry is still waiting. Considering the time it has taken them to get through the process of appointing new Boards then it could take an eternity for any form of Integrity to emerge in racing in Queensland. There is no point saying they are waiting for the new Boards to be appointed for establish an Integrity Department as that needs to be taken out of their hands and done independently. It’s basically a waste of time talking about the situation in Queensland. With the prospect of those currently running the show being returned when the new Boards are announced most believe next to nothing will be done about integrity, which obviously is not high on the agenda considering their decision to close the department down when they came to power. The answer is no integrity, no punter confidence and that’s what you can expect in Queensland.
CHALLENGE TO OWNERSHIP BONA FIDES CAN BE BLAMED ON MM HAVING TOO MUCH SAY
‘THE challenge to ownership bona fides involving several runners in this year’s Magic Millions comes as no surprise to many of us in the industry.
Perhaps Racing Queensland will now realize that when you allow a company like this to control a race meeting that is what can happen.
For too long Magic Millions has been allowed too much say in the running of the race day that they sponsor. This latest debacle is largely the result of a promotion to attract women owners of MM contenders.
Did they not expect the ownership to be changed to enable the wives or whatever or those who actually bought the yearlings to chase the big bonus?
It might sound a wonderful initiative on the surface – you would expect the racing media to pump it up when Gerry Harvey and his wife were behind the scheme – but it was fraught with danger from the outset.
The time has come for RQ – no matter who is running the Board – to step in and tell the MM Company that they are not running the show when it comes to the race meeting.
The Gold Coast Turf Club Committee needs to show some back-bone on this issue as well.
Let’s face it they have stood back over the years and watched millions in taxpayers’ money channeled directly into the pockets of the ‘magic millionaires’ while the club has taken a back-seat role on what happens at their biggest race meeting of the year.
Now we have a situation where RQ stewards – with no Integrity Department to fall back on – will conduct an inquiry into the ownership controversy. Don’t expect too much to eventuate from this.
What should happen is the appointment of an independent investigative integrity to look into this. Leave the stewards to try and do their job with the actual politicking of racing, if that’s at all possible.’ – Albert Carkeet, Gold Coast.
EDITOR’S NOTE: MY opinion on the Magic Millions having too much say is well documented. They seem to decide who gets into the enclosure on the big day – regardless of whether it represents a safety issue or not. They make the rules and run the show while RQ and the GCTC seem to just sit back and let it happen. The bonus for lady owners of MM winners might be a terrific initiative but it was a ticking time-bomb from the outset.
ANGER AT PERCEIVED RQ FAVORITISM OF CITY TRAINERS COMPARED TO THOSE IN THE COUNTRY
‘ON behalf of many country trainers let me express my anger and disappointment at the attitude of our city cousins, not only on the Workcover issue but other aspects of the industry in general.
It would seem that those domiciled in the big smoke are a selfish bunch who care only about themselves and could not care less whether some of us in the country or bush survive or not.
What makes their attitude more hypocritical from our viewpoint is the fact that the Queensland branch of the Australian Trainers’ Association was joined at the hip with Bob Bentley at the height of his power as RQ Chairman.
When it was obvious he was on the way out they jumped ship to the Kevin Dixon camp. Surely the new Chairman of RQ isn’t so naïve that he cannot see what is happening. Where they are concerned it is all politics – a la the Deagon situation – and loyalty means zilch.
I won’t go into the pros and cons of the Workcover issue except to say that reports emanating from the ATA meeting in Brisbane suggest that Mr Dixon would shift heaven and earth to appease the metropolitan trainers and more disappointingly doesn’t really care what happens in the industry outside the south-east corner.
As for the big name trainer who was licking the bootlaces of Mr Dixon at that meeting and allegedly describing North Queensland trainers as ‘a bunch of grubs’ well perhaps he must have forgotten where some of his owners come from.
I wonder what some of his colleagues thought about that bone-crushing description of their mates. From what we are told no-one jumped to our defense and some even saw a humorous side of his insult.
You should look in the mirror old-timer and our message to you is simple: We have long memories and won’t forget how an interloper like you feels about us.’ – By a prominent country trainer on behalf of his mates who wish to remain nameless but have long memories.
EDITOR’S NOTE: IT would seem that the new powers-that-be at RQ are only interested in recognizing the Queensland branch of the ATA when a similar body, based in Rockhampton, is far more representative of the overall views of trainers in Queensland. This is why there is an urgent need for country representatives on the new Boards to run racing and another good reason why Kevin Dixon if he becomes RQ Chairman, which looks certain, should not be Chairman of the Industry All Codes body as well. Here’s what Terry Butts had to report about the Workcover situation and comments by an unnamed trainer in his Silks & Saddles column this week.
THE Queensland Trainers’ Association is still pushing hard for Racing Queensland to take over payment of their Workcover commitments.
The QTA advocates all trainers in the State should pay for Workcover by way of a $30 levy on every starter they saddle up, and wants RQ to handle it.
Of course the country trainers – more especially the owner/trainers – don’t want a bar of it.
And why should they?
At a meeting of the QTA last week (which was attended by RQ Chairman Kevin Dixon) the trainers argued that while some of the big guys are paying upwards of $50,000 a year, other trainers are paying much less, though it was claimed, some are saddling-up 150 odd starters a year.
Some trainers are being accused of rorting the system and not paying the rightful dues based on the wages paid by trainers.
WE have been told the QTA meeting got a bit heated.
There is even a report that North Queenslanders might have been referred to by one city trainer as ‘grubs.’
Surely that wouldn’t be right.
Talk about the kettle…...
Bottom line is the QTA (that’s the Brisbane trainers) want RQ to invoice ALL trainers state-wide $30 per runner, whether first prize happens to be $4000 or $400,000.
Plain simple common-sense and unprejudiced fairness would prohibit such a move so obviously designed to subsidize a few of the bigger trainers at the expense of their brothers in the bush.
A far more equitable arrangement might be to have a different levy imposed for country, provincial and city runners.
That’s a proposal we understand that could be put to the powerful Rockhampton Trainers’ Association by the QTA at their upcoming meeting at Callaghan Park at the end of the month.
At present however, the Rocky trainers, the virtual mouthpiece for country trainers en-masse, are opposed to any levy based on starters.
In the end, just another problem for the new RQ board that is due to be announced (or ratified) on April 2.
So we believe.
PETER V’LANDYS COMMENTS ON BLACK CAVIAR DESCRIBED AS ‘HYPOCRASY’
‘AS you know I am a great fan of the Racing Bitch column out of Hong Kong and have in the past asked that you reproduce an item or two of theirs to ensure that exposure is gained to as wide an audience as possible.
There is little chance that the major dailies will run anything like this as their racing scribes are too busy building up Brownie Points with the officials that the Racing Bitch has an issue with.
The column item that I have attached shows, what many of us believe to be, the sheer hypocrisy of one of the leading officials in Australia, Peter V’Landys of Racing NSW. I would like to see a response from anyone who disagrees with this assessment.
Here is the latest item from the Racing Bitch, which I trust you will see fit to run:
‘It came as no surprise to see Peter ‘the not so great’ V’Landys leading the charge expressing the outrage and indignation of the Australian racing industry when it was confirmed that an unraced South African two year old colt had been named Black Caviar and was scheduled to make his racecourse debut at Durbanville during the week.
In typical V’landys’ fashion, it was theatrical. Here was the man dubbed the ‘savior’ of NSW and Australian racing seizing the moral high ground and assuming, correction, usurping the role of the voice of Australian racing.
Bugger the Australian Racing Board, and even his own Chairman – John ‘the messiah’ Messara, it was vintage V’landys.
"There is an understanding among racing jurisdictions not to allow the name of a great racehorse to be used again, either in the country of the horse’s origin or anywhere else in the world,” V’Landys was quoted as telling the Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas.
“I’ll certainly be contacting my South African counterparts to rectify the anomaly immediately. This should not have been allowed to happen.”
No argument whatsoever with V”landys on this one. International agreements and understandings among racing jurisdictions MUST not only be respected, they MUST be complied with and observed by ALL parties.
They must not be paid lip service to by signatories and cherry picked according to the whims and agendas of governing bodies who are duty bound by the protocols and memorandums of understanding and by binding agreements.
There is also something vaguely referred to as a ‘spirit of co-operation’ between international racing jurisdictions, which together with the agreements and understandings seem to be conveniently forgotten when self serving agendas rear their very ugly heads in racing and particularly in NSW.
V’Landys willingness to break a land speed record to take the moral high ground and be racing’s knight in shining armor in defending the glory of Black Caviar and preventing her name and status being usurped by those dastardly South Africans, is a polar opposite to the stand he took on the infamous Chris Munce riding ban several years ago.
This is the same person, who gave these very same international understandings and agreements that he now professes to uphold and champion, the two fingered salute when defying these very international understandings and agreements, to grant Chris Munce a license to ride in NSW when every other Australian racing jurisdiction decided to honor and comply with the riding ban imposed on Munce by Hong Kong.
Sounds pretty disingenuous and duplicitous doesn’t it? Even hypocritical perhaps? Swallow a turd, mate?
This is, and has been our fundamental problem with Peter ‘the not so great’ V’landys.
When it comes to spinning, even the great Shane Warne wouldn’t hold a candle to him. It’s always been his way or the highway. He has and still is the tail wagging the dog in NSW racing. And if his Chairman John “the messiah” doesn’t believe it, he is as delusional as those who preceded him. And we all know their fate.
V’landys has his fingerprints over just about every racing issue in NSW and is working his arse off to do the same nationally.
And a very sobering thought for John “the messiah” Messara. Sorry, John, you are not the person who runs NSW racing. That person is your very own CEO.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: I enjoy reading the Racing Bitch but don’t necessarily agree with their opinions on all things. I do believe they are drawing a long bow with Peter V’Landys in the comparison between the South Africans naming a horse Black Caviar and the Chris Munce case. While it is important that all jurisdictions have a united understanding on penalties imposed, the Munce case was a rather unusual one. I struggle to find anyone who believes he should have been sent to jail for the offence he committed in Hong Kong, regardless of the rules in that country. What NSW was trying to do was compensate him for the harsh price he had already paid by allowing him to return to the saddle earlier than he was entitled to. Whether you agree with that stance is up to the individual.
WHO IS PAYING FOR THE CHOPPER TRIP TO TOOWOOMBA AND IS IT BEING SUBSIDISED?
‘COULD you please confirm who is paying for the helicopter service to transport jockeys from Brisbane to Toowoomba to ride at the Weetwood Handicap meeting?
Considering the financial plight facing the industry one would hope it is not Racing Queensland nor the Toowoomba Turf Club which can ill-ford such a luxury.
It seems that the goal posts have been changed this year and the Weetwood is to be run on a Saturday twilight program unlike the past where historically it was run on the Thursday Show holiday and attracted thousands of people, especially young race-goers who don’t seem to be interested in the regular meetings.
My friends and I are not bagging the initiative of flying jockeys from Brisbane when the Doomben meeting is finished to ride in the main races which apparently will be programmed at the end of the Weetwood meeting.
But jockeys make enough money to pay their own way and if they consider their mounts are good enough to win then either the owners or the jockeys themselves should be footing the bill of a helicopter charter which I imagine wouldn’t be cheap.
As struggling owners who continually support the meetings at Clifford Park on a track that many have rejected could you please ask RQ or the TTC who is paying for this helicopter charter and if it will be subsidized in any way by the industry through RQ or the TTC?’ – Name with-held for fear of recriminations.
EDITOR’S NOTE: I tried to ring Blair Odgers from RQ on this subject but couldn't contact him. If jockeys want to avail themselves of the helicopter service then they should be paying. If they aren’t then the industry is again the big loser. I wouldn’t imagine that to be the case. It does surprise me that the Weetwood is not being held on the Show holiday which has always proved so popular with locals on the Downs.
Here’s the RQ Media Release on the helicopter issue:
Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) has today announced that a helicopter service will be available to transport jockeys from Doomben racecourse to the Toowoomba Turf Club on Saturday night, April 13, 2013 for the $150,000 Listed Weetwood Handicap.
Jockeys riding in the metropolitan meeting at Doomben will be able to board a chartered helicopter flight after the last race, and travel directly to Clifford Park to participate in Toowoomba’s premier night meeting.
RQL chairman Kevin Dixon believes this initiative will add great value and help showcase the official opening meeting of the 2013 Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.
“Offering our premier jockeys a timely method of travel to Toowoomba so they can participate in the time-honoured Weetwood meeting will ensure the 2013 Queensland Winter Carnival commences successfully,” he said.
“Doomben racecourse will host the $100,000 Listed Queensland Day 3YO in the afternoon and to encourage our premier jockeys to participate in Toowoomba that evening, we identified the need to transport them directly from Doomben to Clifford Park and the quickest method is a helicopter.”
The chartered helicopter flight will depart Doomben racecourse at 4:50pm, taking approximately 40 minutes to arrive at Clifford Park, which will enable jockeys to participate in the last race at Doomben and take a ride in the third race at Toowoomba. Jockeys will be returned to Doomben via ground transport.
Jockeys and agents wanting to book a seat on this flight should contact RQL commercial & racing development manager Blair Odgers on 0488 708 775.
WILL THERE BE A NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE IN THE MACKAY TURF CLUB CHAIRMAN?
‘RUMORS persist that there will be a vote of no-confidence against chairman Ian Joblin at this week’s committee meeting of the Mackay Turf Club.
The suggestion is that a group of owners and trainers are behind the move to have him replaced in an effort to end the in-fighting and downward spiral of racing in Mackay.
Many of the problems confronting racing in this area were highlighted in an excellent article written by Chris Leslight in the Mackay Telegraph recently.
Leslight tried to get to the bottom of the problem and discovered that the main concerns are a potential reduction in TAB meetings and the grandstand not having a roof.
He wrote:
When approached over the issue yesterday Mr Joblin - who has been MTC chairman since 2004 - said he preferred not to discuss the private agendas of stakeholders in the public domain, but on this occasion he felt he needed to put his thoughts on the record.
“I can say that committees of turf clubs should not hold too high a representation of trainer groups as they represent only one group of stakeholders in racing and all stakeholder groups must be fairly represented,” Mr Joblin said.
“The members of the MTC elect its committee and subsequently a chairman of that committee,” he said. “If the committee at any stage feels its chairman is not carrying out their chosen direction then they can choose to remove him. I have had no such indication that is the wishes of the committee.”
Mr Joblin confirmed the MTC may potentially lose four TAB meetings for the 2014 race season, but the club could absorb the loss of those meeting.
“The club is set to have two non-TAB meetings re-instated,” he said. “And the TAB race days will feature eight race cards, rather than seven. In reality we will have two more races over the course of the year than we did in 2013.”
What makes things difficult for stakeholders here is that Mackay will have only 23 meetings this year compared to 39 at Townsville and Rockhampton. That is hardly a level playing field considering we have one of the best tracks in the country. Why invest over $7 million into a complex and then reduce the number of times it races.
Leslight also wrote a fine Comment Piece on the situation in Mackay racing which is a must read for all involved. The disturbing aspect of it was the fact that RQ Chairman Kevin Dixon refused to talk to him for the story he was writing on the unrest here.’ – Nathan Dunn, Mackay.
EDITOR’S NOTE: It comes as no surprise that Chris Leslight had difficulty contacting Kevin Dixon for a comment. Only the ‘chosen ones’ in the mainstream media have a hot-line to the boss. Here is the Comment Piece that Chris wrote, courtesy of the Mackay Telegraph:
WHO doesn’t enjoy a day at the races?
Well it would seem there are a lot of people in the Mackay community who don’t get as much enjoyment from the sport as they should.
Making enquiries this week into the state of racing in the city, this reporter was greeted with open hostility in some quarters, political intrigue in others and a sense of foreboding of being used as a pawn in a much larger end-game.
Even Racing Queensland chairman Kevin Dixon, undoubtedly a busy man, was unable to make a return telephone call when a request for interview on the subject of unrest in the Mackay racing community was raised with his office.
Why?
Because racing stirs passion, like few sports.
From the trainers and jockeys who rise in the early hours of the morning to the weekend punters all over the land who gather in TABs and bars to talk for hours on the “certainty” they have in the next – everyone has an opinion on what is best for the sport.
Then there are the officials and administrators - who run an industry worth around $2 billion to the Australian economy – and is the backbone of the massive sporting gambling industry.
And there’s the rub, sport and (gambling) revenue.
As a sport is widely, fervently and passionately embraced, any damage to the integrity of sport also damages public confidence and undermines supporter enjoyment.
Tomorrow is Ladies Day at Mackay Turf Club – one of the more lucrative days on the annual program – and there has been some pressure not to run our coverage today in case in brings the sport into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The Telegraph’s aim, however, is not to besmirch horse racing and those involved, but to outline the issues behind the scene which may be holding the sport in harness.
The in-fighting in the racing community poses a much greater financial risk than the public airing of these issues.
In fact the majority of those at tomorrow’s meet will not care about who is in charge if the beer is cold and the racing tight. They are there for a flutter and a good time and are happy to part with their hard-earned if the return is good.
And the public should send a message - by voting with their feet – a good turn-out tomorrow will remind all those involved in the now-public squabbles that it is the race-going public that deserves its attention, not self-serving agendas.
Horse racing is in the blood for all Australians as each year we clamor for a public holiday to watch some horses do approximately 1½ circuits of Flemington racecourse. It is time to put aside differences and rebuild horse racing in Mackay.
PUNTER RAISES CONCERNS OF COMMON PLACE HAPPENINGS AT SATURDAY RACE MEETINGS
‘AS a keen punter I would like to raise a couple of issues from last Saturday’s major race meetings that seem to becoming common place and a major concern.
Firstly we have trainers simply blaming form improvements on changes in riding tactics and at the worst being reminded of their obligations to advise the stewards of any plans. The common excuse is: “I didn’t expect the horse to get as far back as it did.’ Noted and accepted.
Then we have the situation of form reversals which continue to occur from the major stables where they either offer no explanation for the major improvement or put it down to gear changes or changed track conditions.
There were two major form reversals at the weekend – Flying Snitzel in the Kewney Stakes at Flemington and Lunayir in the Pro-Ride at Warwick Farm. Both are prepared by leading trainers in Gerald Ryan and Chris Waller.
Flying Snitzel, after running out of condition when ridden on the pace at her comeback in the Light Fingers at Rosehill, goes to Melbourne and blows the odds-on favorite Norzita out of the water. But she is ridden much quieter. Ryan tells stewards he made some gear alterations and didn’t expect her to be Flying Snitzel to be so far back in the field.
Lunayir, a French import from the Waller stable, went woefully at his Australian debut when backed and beaten 32 lengths. He then comes out and brains them on Saturday. The explanation for the massive improvement was a dryer track yet they backed him (and he had won on the slow in Europe) on the heavy at his previous start.
These sort of form reversals make it tough on punters to gain any confidence when having a bet. The only thing the stewards can do is insist that horses mixing their form race more consistently and if they don’t then bar them until they do.
Another horse ridden far differently this time was Shamexpress in the Newmarket but it was well disclosed by the Danny O’Brien stable that he had settle closer than they wanted in the Lightning where Moment of Change beat him out of sight.’ – Sam Lockyer, Sydney.
EDITOR’S NOTE: There are always going to be form reversals Sam. I find the form of horses from the Gerald Ryan and Chris Waller stable virtually impossible to follow. There was an interesting stable comment about the Shamexpress failure in the Lightning however. It was blamed on the horse being upset by a band that was playing near his race day stall that afternoon. Just another one from the book of excuses for form improvements or beaten failures.
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