THE WEDNESDAY WHINGE has a new look but won’t be dispensing with some of our old favorites and will continue to focus on THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY side of what has happened in racing over the past week. The Whinge will continue to provide an opportunity for The Cynics to Have Their Say. Thanks again for your support for the most read column on this website. Our popularity continues to grow despite the bagging it is copping from some officials who cannot cope with constructive criticism and insist that no-one reads it. We encourage readers to continue to contribute but plan to restrict the Whinge to only eight or at the most 10 items as well as stories you may have missed in the mainstream media. That is what you seem to want. Feedback suggests that unless there is a major issue that the column at times is too long.
AUTHORITIES BLAME STRANGLES RUMORS ON DISGRUNTLED STABLE OWNER 
EDITOR’S NOTE: SEVERAL emails have been received from concerned stakeholders that there has been an outbreak of strangles in a prominent stable that starts horses in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales.
To try and avoid being accused of running alarmist rumors that have no substance we have made inquiries with the authorities about this situation and they have assured us that this is incorrect.
The rumors intensified when it was alleged a veterinarian associated with the stable in question was telling other clients to have their horses inoculated against strangles.
Stewards in two states have investigated the situation and those in NSW have told their northern counterparts that the strangles story has been blamed on a disgruntled owner who has a problem with the trainer concerned.
RQ DID MAKE AN OPERATING LOSS OF $4.4mn - THE REPORT WAS TABLED IN PARLIAMENT 
WE continue to receive emails asking about the annual report of Racing Queensland.
Critics have suggested there was an extremely heavy loss for the last financial year which had not been reported and have asked why there has been no media release from RQ highlighting the result.
They have been critical of the mainstream racing media coverage of this and also questioned why websites like letsghohorseracing and justracing have not provided information being requested.
We can tell you that the annual report is available and can be viewed on the RQ website. It was also tabled in State Parliament.
But for those who are having trouble accessing it, here are some excerpts that might provide the information you have been seeking.
ALL Codes Chairman Kevin Dixon, in his annual report, states that RQ during the 2013-14 financial year recorded a net operating loss of $4.4 million.
“This result was generated as a direct result of maximizing returns to participants in that year,” he reports.
“With a confidence that by years’ end we would have a new more effective model in place RQ operated through the year determined to return every possible dollar to industry.
“We did this by calling on all our financial reserves. It was a make or break year and fortunately it ended with celebration.”
Mr Dixon reported that over the coming year the RQ focus ‘will be on delivering the benefits that our new circumstances promise. We will progressively roll out funding initiatives that will touch every corner of the industry, in every corner of the state.”
EXCERPTS FROM RQ WAGERING REPORT FOR THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR
WITH regard to questions concerning wagering during the last financial year, here is what was reported:
Total wagering generated of $145.4 million in the 2013-14 financial year, which is a decrease of 0.2 per cent on the previous year and in line with budget.
With more TAB races and meetings run compared to the prior year, prizemoney and returns to the industry increased by 3.3 per cent across the three codes.
Overall Queensland wagering turnover increased by 5.1 per cent on the previous financial year to $3.33 billion with total wagering revenue decreasing by 0.2 per cent or $350,000.
Queensland wagering turnover for thoroughbreds was down 0.8 per cent or $19mn despite seven more TAB meetings being run than in 2012-13. Harness turnover was up by 15.9 per cent or $56.3mn on the previous year with 25 more TAB meetings. Greyhound turnover increased by 18.8 per cent or $85 million with 34 more TAB meetings.
There was a 2013-14 decline in all wagering turnover through Tattsbet Queensland operations of 2.23 per cent with a 0.4 percent decline in Queensland only wagering turnover. This resulted in a subsequent decline in product and program fees received by RQ ($4.5mn or 3.3 per cent, excluding deduction of overseas fees, on the previous year).
Fixed odds wagering continued to grow and this turnover represented 32.8 per cent of all wagering, an increase of 17.3 per cent on the previous year.
DOOMBEN TRACK PLAYED ‘DISGRACEFULLY BIASED’ TO THE ON-PACERS 
ROGER G of ASPLEY writes:
‘LITTLE wonder the punters in Brisbane are a dwindling breed when you look at how the track at Doomben played on Saturday.
No runner was able to win from further back than fourth on the turn and the majority raced on the pace. Those back in the field had no hope.
And before the apologists for Racing Queensland start raving about sectional times making it impossible for the back-markers, the track was dead-set biased to the front-runners.
Horses like You Did What and Miss Cover Girl had no hope at all in the last two races given the way the track was playing on the day. Little wonder both took a bath in the betting.
It makes a mockery out of the perception that punters are entitled to be protected. How can they be protected when the form suggests a horse is too good but the track does not allow it to have every chance to win?
In this day and age this is not an acceptable situation. Doomben is the only metropolitan track on a Saturday while Eagle Farm is closed for that much-awaited upgrade which one assumes will eventually happen.
If that’s the best we can expect – or worse – in the weeks or months ahead then might I suggest that there will be even less punters betting on Brisbane racing on Saturday than there already are.’
‘ATROCIOUS PERFORMANCE OF RACING IN TOOWOOMBA CONTINUES’ 
BRETT WINTEC of BRISBANE sent this email:
‘I wrote last week in relation to the atrocious performance of Toowoomba in recent times.
Surprisingly, last Saturday (11 October) was no exception with only 47 horses participating at the meeting, which generated just $303,505 in wagering turnover as extracted off the Tattsbet website. As quoted last week the previous weekend (4 October) the Toowoomba meeting turned over just $315,377.
To put things into perspective the Townsville meeting on Thursday 9 October turned over $476, 272. Can anyone explain why Townsville horses competed for just $13,000 when those horses competing at Toowoomba ran for $14,000?
I thought that Racing Queensland was basing their revised prizemoney formula on returns to the industry?
Whilst considering the magnitude of the current issue in Toowoomba it is worth noting that the five race card at Gayndah on the weekend attracted 50 starters for $40,000, whilst the six race card at Toowoomba attracted just 47 starters for $84,000.
Some have asked me why I am aggrieved by the current issues in Toowoomba and the lack of acknowledgement by Racing Queensland.
It's quite simple.
As an owner I expect transparent decision making processes by Racing Queensland and I don't expect one Club to be treated differently to others.
In my view Toowoomba is in a bad place at present and neither Racing Queensland nor the Toowoomba Turf Club will acknowledge the issues, therefore how can these issues be properly addressed?
Please correct me if I am not reading the current state of play in Toowoomba correctly and I am being over critical of the performance of this venue.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: WE were blasted recently for running a weekly criticism of racing in Toowoomba. One might argue that wouldn’t happen if the club got its act together and seemingly didn’t have as much political start as it has.
BRISBANE TIMES THE FLAG-BEARER FOR PROTESTERS OF LOGAN GREYHOUND PLANS 
GLEN W of GOLD COAST sent this email:
‘ONCE again no coverage in the mainstream racing media in Brisbane but the protests are growing over the greyhound development planned at Logan.
There was plenty of coverage on the Brisbane Times website but where were The Courier-Mail and The Sunday Mail on this important issue.
This is something that isn’t going to be swept under the carpet by the Government or Racing Queensland. The protests will get louder and longer.
Interestingly, Racing Minister Steve Dickson was unavailable for interview by the Brisbane Times about the greyhound protests.
Why are we not surprised?
EDITOR’S NOTE: HERE is the story by CAMERON ATFIELD, a journalist for BRISBANE TIMES and the SUN HERALD that the above email refers to:
ANGER is rising south of Brisbane over a greyhound racing track that, opponents say, will perpetuate animal cruelty and add to Logan's problem gambling issues.
About 200 people, with a number of ex-racing greyhounds in tow, gathered at the Cronulla Park site at Slacks Creek on Saturday to protest the $12 million development, which was given the green light in March.
The protest organizer, Animal Liberation Queensland greyhound campaigner Hayley Cotton, said a petition to stop the development, which had already been approved by Logan City Council, had gained about 10,000 signatures.
“Most [racing] greyhounds don't live beyond three or four years of age because when they're too slow they simply get put down or sent to the vets to be used as blood donors and all sorts of horrible things,” she said.
Among the protesters was a large collection of greyhounds, seemingly enjoying each others’ company while their owners waved placards at passing traffic.
“They're all rescues, so all the greyhounds you see here today are all ex-racers,” Ms Cotton said.
“But they make great pets and that’s what we want people to see – that they are really sensitive, loving dogs and we want to change that perception of them as racing machines and only here for profit-making purposes.”
Queensland Greyhound Racing Board chairman Michael Byrne said the dogs’ welfare was central to those involved in the industry.
“Greyhounds are not unlike any other animal, racing or otherwise. They’re loved by the participants and the people who own them,” he said.
“…Greyhounds have to be in the care of a responsible person from the time they’re born to the time they finish racing and go into retirement.
“Across the eastern seaboard, the three states have spent a lot of money on retirement adoption programs for greyhounds.
“Large properties have been bought in Victoria and New South Wales and in Queensland we’re looking at a number of options, including partnering with other animal welfare organizations to have greyhounds cared for after they retire.”
Mr Byrne said the track would have wide benefits for the Logan community.
“Logan's a growth area and the state and local governments are committed to tourism, to attracting people, and the greyhound track from a community point of view will be a major sporting venue,” he said.
But Ms Cotton said Logan already had a significant gambling problem, to which the addition of a greyhound track would only exacerbate.
“We think this land could be used for something a little more socially responsible, like a sporting field or something the community will actually get some benefit from,” she said.
Mr Byrne said he did not believe Logan’s problems were any different to any other developing community, so he did not think such a venue would adversely affect the city.
“One’s got to remember that sporting venues aren’t necessarily gambling dens,” he said on Saturday.
“You've got the Caulfield Guineas on today in Melbourne and there are tens of thousands of people there who are out for a party and a good time.
“Most of them may not even have a bet on the day. It’s part of community welfare and community social life.”
The Bligh Government first considered the site in 2007 and the development of the state-owned land was given Council approval on February 2, 2011.
Comment was sought from Logan Mayor Pam Parker, who told Fairfax Regional Media earlier this year the track was ‘the wrong image for our city’.
But her Deputy, Russell Lutton, said he supported the project and, even if the Council was convinced to stop the project, it would be powerless to do so.
“The thing is, it’s a State Government project – it’s State funding and it’s State Government land,” he said.
“…I don't know what the big deal is, honestly. It’s an old waste tip site that has very limited use, but this is a pretty good use for it.”
Cr Lutton scoffed at suggestions it would be a disastrous development for problem gamblers.
“There’s the Brisbane Lions club within about a kilometre with a couple of hundred pokies, there’s another licensed club not far away in Logan Central,” he said.
“There's no licensed club going in [at Cronulla Park], there's no extra pokies and there will be no extra races because all they’re going to be doing is taking a race day off Ipswich and a race day off Albion Park.”
Racing Minister Steve Dickson was not available for interview.
RODD ‘BASHER’ BLAMING JOCKEY AGAIN – THIS TIME FOR RICH ENUFF DEFEAT 
CLEM D of MELBOURNE:
‘ONCE again I will be accused of being a Michael Rodd basher but he managed to get another good thing beaten in a feature race last Saturday despite the fact the racing manners of the horse in question are being blamed by most of the ‘experts.’
At least that’s my opinion after watching his arguably impatient ride on Rich Enuff in the Caulfield Guineas. The performance of that horse was simply awesome despite the hard run with an electric early pace.
My opinion is that had Damien Oliver, Hugh Bowman, Dwayne Dunn or Kerrin McEvoy been aboard Rich Enuff it would have won instead of going down narrowly to Shooting To Win.
My last word on the subject: the sooner M Rodd heads to greener pastures in Asia the better and I hope he stays there.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: Racing is very much an opinion game and you are entitled to yours Clem but on this one you have to be kidding. Michael Rodd all but got off and tried to carry the horse across the line. Give the guy a break!
IS BORE HOLE THE ‘MOST INCONSISTENT HORSE RACING IN SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND’? 
SAMMY M of GOLD COAST writes:
‘IF there was an award for the most inconsistent horse racing in south-east Queensland it would have to be won by Bore Hole.
His form is impossible to follow. Just look at the last two starts and it’s an absolute nightmare for those punters silly enough to bet on the middle distance races at the Saturday metropolitan meetings.
Bore Hole turned in an amazing form reversal to win at the Gold Coast when he led throughout from a wide alley at $31.
He then comes out a week later – last Saturday – over the Doomben mile, runs at $3.8, never looks like leading and is gone before the turn.
I looked to see if there was anything in the stewards’ report but it just said after the first – ‘no racing incidents’.
It’s about time stewards took some action and required these sort of horses to perform more consistently or be forced to trial or face a ban. After all they are supposed to be protecting the interests of the punters.’
BOUQUETS FOR MAX FOR RECOGNIZING SUPERIORITY OF VICTORIAN RACING 
PERCY S of MELBOURNE writes:
‘I never thought I would live to see the day – Max Presnell recognizing the superior strength of racing in Victoria – but it happened in his column this week.
It must have been hard to swallow but then again there is a reason for everything.
Perhaps the imminent departure of Chief Steward Ray Murrihy into retirement is closer than one realizes. This in turn may give Max some back bone and at the same time remove the ‘blinkers’.
In my opinion Murrihy has only been the de-facto Chairman of Stewards from as far back as the era when Peter V’landys reportedly attended a welcome home for jockey Chris Munce from a Hong Kong jail.
Munce had just returned to Australia after being interned in a Hong Kong prison for committing an offence that was racing related.
This fact must have been irrelevant as far as Mr V’Landys was concerned. It appeared he didn’t rate Hong Kong racing as he pushed for Munce to be relicensed quickly to ride in NSW.
No other state agreed at the time with the V’Landy’s stand. This action was contrary to all national and international racing policies and one assumes such action would have been against all that a steward of Murrihy’s principles stood for.
To top it all off the reported tongue lashing Mr V’landys was dealt at a recent Country Awards night (by a respected official) maybe the start of an avalanche. It was one of the biggest pays of all time and from a highly respected member of the racing industry.
In my opinion the media has a lot to answer for when it comes to the state of Sydney racing.
If the selective reporting continues after Murrihy departs, one can only assume they are more concerned with losing their free beer and lunches.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: HERE is what MAX PRESNELL wrote in his column in the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
AUTUMN obsessed while the rest of the season is allowed to wallow in mediocrity by Racing New South Wales and the Australian Turf Club.
This was my answer at Caulfield on Saturday to what's wrong with Sydney racing.
Down south they concede the strength of our horses, jockeys and trainers but small fields litter Sydney Saturdays and the racecourse vibe lacks Melbourne enthusiasm.
By old standards Saturday's 22,106 for the Caulfield Guineas, with an outstanding support program on a brilliant day, wasn't sensational and Randwick drew a "great crowd" of 18,122, on the back, I submit, of the Melbourne meeting.
In most aspects the modern-day racegoer fancies the occasion more than the all-round strength of the racing which will be emphasised by the Caulfield Cup next Saturday doing much better due to the major attraction.
But it wasn't all guns and roses at Caulfield. The after-races concert for racegoers was cancelled when the bandstand collapsed, but there were no problems apart from the sound system.
The artists dropped the bit and went home.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in the above e-mails should not be interpreted as those of JOHN LINGARD, the owner-editor 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.
