THE WEDNESDAY WHINGE is back for another year and has a new look but we won’t be dispensing with our theme and focus on the THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY side of what is happening in racing. 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 and one of the most read on racing websites in the country. Our popularity continues to grow despite the bagging it cops from some high profile officials, especially in Queensland, who cannot cope with constructive criticism of any kind. We encourage supporters – and critics – to continue to contribute but plan to restrict the Whinge to less than a dozen items each week. Our message to those who continually bag us is simple: IF YOU DON’T LIKE WHAT YOU READ THEN DON’T REVISIT THE WHINGE.
BOB BENTLEY CHALLENGES THE FACTS AND MOTIVES BEHIND EXELBY COMMENT PIECE 
FORMER RQ Chairman, BOB BENTLEY, has responded to an article in THE COURIER-MAIL on Monday:
‘FOLLOWING the article in The Courier Mail on Monday entitled ‘Let’s Get Rid of Politics’ under the hand of Nathan Exelby and graphically depicting the botched development of Queensland's premier racetrack, the question needs to be asked how a journalist of Nathan's ability got it so wrong and why there was not an objective research of the facts?
Firstly, the return to Government control was the work of the LNP and its appointed chairman of RQL Kevin Dixon and the late Bill Carter. Strange call coming from those who desperately wanted the Government to take control – surely this was not a grab for a job and wanting now to hold on.
The Bligh Labor Government did all in its power to distance racing from Government interference. The previous Board secured an infrastructure package of $110 million so as to fulfill this policy. The policy made sense and was great for the three codes of racing and was socially responsible as there could be no counter argument that if the industry could not manage itself following this massive injection, then why should the taxpayer continue to be responsible. However, the Kevin Dixon-led Board, appointed by the LNP Government, has squandered the industry opportunity.
The picture of Eagle Farm, after being closed for seven and a half months, that was run above Nathan’s article, tells it all.
To attempt to justify the success of the last three years of the industry being controlled by Government is extremely difficult even on the known facts, which I might add are scant, obviously on purpose.
Nathan explains that racing was not an issue in this election as it was in the 2012 election. This is correct, because in 2012 the LNP made it an issue with constant attacks on the staff of Racing Queensland and the Board and constant misinformation being peddled in the media and those desperate to gain favor in the hope of a job in racing or to protect their assets that the new infrastructure plan may affect. Racing was not an issue in this election as there was a complete blanket of secrecy on any information as to the state of racing in Queensland or its finances.
The comment that ‘Even racing's harshest critics would have to concede racing is in a far better place than it was three years ago’ takes a little time to digest.
I pose the question: How can anyone judge this profound outburst when there is no information forthcoming from the bunker at Deagon?
Stakeholders even possessing limited financial training on reading the 2014 RQL annual report, if they can find it, will be able to ascertain the decline in turnover on the Queensland racing product, and the decline in the quality of RQL's balance sheet ,and the massive loss posted.
The previous Board published the strongly audited financial position of Racing Queensland at the 30th March 2012 at the time of their resignations. The report showed a strong cash position of $13mn and a healthy balance sheet. The strong finances did not equate to the distortions being peddled prior to the 2012 election.
The actual financial statement was contrary to the agenda of the incoming Chairman Kevin Dixon and incoming Racing Minister Steve Dickson and the previous Board was threatened with legal action and loss of insurance coverage unless the financial position was removed from websites.
The much heralded new agreement with the Tatts Group is a one-sided agreement. Kevin Dixon was a price taker not a price maker and shunned any advice or help from former Board member Barry Taylor who subsequently resigned.
There has been an increase in prizemoney and this is greatly welcomed by the industry. But should this increase be greater?
A casual calculation of the number of race meetings and races run compared with the 2011 program should be a consideration for stakeholders. If this information was made available by RQL chairman Dixon or CEO Darren Condon then an accurate comparison could be made.
My limited observation is that there are currently a lot less meetings and races.
The level of product fees paid to interstate racing authorities is on the increase as is the level of turnover and preference for punting on Sydney and Melbourne racing increases.
The trend to rely on interstate racing for growth and to fulfill RQL's contractual obligations to provide the racing program to Tatts Group is not benefiting Queensland racing revenue. Maximizing turnover on the Queensland racing product is the only path to growth and sustainability for the industry and currently this is not the case.
I do not see how this equates to Nathan's statement that ‘Queensland racing is again relevant on the national stage’.
‘POSTER BOY AND MEDIA MOUTH-PIECE’ ACCUSED OF KICKING UP FOR RACING BOSS 
And there was this one on the same subject from JIM NIXON of IPSWICH:
‘WELL it didn’t take long for The Courier-Mail Turf Editor Nathan Exelby to write a comment piece kicking up for his good mate, racing boss Little King Kev Dixon.
Give us a break Nathan, everyone in racing knows you are the poster boy and media mouth-piece for the All Codes Chairman and how he directs all the exclusives your way.
‘Let’s Get Rid of Politics’ in racing was the theme of your propaganda piece where you failed to recognize that it was the LNP and your good mates at the top of the RQ tree who started the ball rolling by ousting the Bentley Board, including Labor heavyweight Bill Ludwig for political purposes, and forcing another Commission of Inquiry at a massive waste of millions to the taxpayers of Queensland.
It wouldn’t have mattered what Board was in place, the new TAB deal would have been done. Some claim the current one was politically motivated and that two RQ Board members resigned in protest at the lack of consultation because they believe it could have been much better. We may never know but could be a step closer if Labor wins Government.
So don’t rant and rave about the great progress made by your mate Little King Kev who by the way directed the lion’s share of the prizemoney increases to some clubs at the expense of others.
And as for the infrastructure well that distribution stems back to the previous Government and the Bentley era except that clubs had to reapply for their upgrades and that saw some benefit at the expense of others as well, especially Toowoomba, the basket case of racing in Queensland, which hopefully won’t be as molly-coddled in future. Ipswich, in my opinion, has been a political football in racing.
Then we have your claim Nathan that ‘metropolitan prizemoney is not far off southern levels’. That’s drawing a long bow as well especially with increases planned in Sydney and Melbourne in the near future. And you forgot to make a comparison between the provincials and the country in Queensland and our southern counterparts of NSW and Victoria which are poles apart.
As for racing here being in a better place than it was three years ago well that depends who you talk to. Instead of continuing to promote his mates at RQ Nathan should try being a bit more objective and looking at some of those clubs that are struggling and stakeholders who are eating the paint off the walls in the country and need the support of an influential racing scribe.’
CLAIMS REASON LABOR HASN'T RELEASED RACING POLICY IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NONE 
A PROMINENT RACING OFFICIAL from a near Brisbane club sent this email but asked not to be named (which is a shame considering his forthright support for the Dixon Board):
‘THE only reason Labor didn’t – and still hasn’t – released their policy for racing is that they don’t have one.
How sad is that?
They seem to have no idea of what they plan for the future of one of the biggest industries in the state that returns plenty to the Government and employs tens of thousands.
Yet we are hearing rumors of another Racing Inquiry, of the dumping of Kevin Dixon as Racing Queensland chairman and, worse still, his replacement by Neville Stewart (former Toowoomba Turf Club chairman) or Tony Hanmer (former member of the Bentley Board).
Give us a break!
Might I respectfully suggest that Mr Stewart, despite what he has done for racing on the Downs and Mr Hanmer, who is still the subject of an ASIC inquiry from his time as a member of the Bentley Board, are not the right people for the job. In addition it is strongly rumored that both are prominent Liberals.
As far as I am concerned Kevin Dixon has done a terrific job since becoming involved in racing administration in Queensland and I totally agree with the article by Nathan Exelby in The Courier-Mail that it is time for the politicians to leave racing alone. Keep up the good work Nathan.’
COULD DIXON BE DUMPED AS RQ BOSS & IS REARDON RETIRING AS CHIEF STEWARD? 
ALBERT WILLIAMS, a regular contributor from REDCLIFFE, made these observations in the event that Labor regains Government in Queensland:
‘WITH the very real prospect that the LNP control of racing may be gone, at least for another three years – and with it Racing Minister Steve Dickson who most believe was remote controlled by Treasurer Tim Nicholls – many believe it’s time to rid the place of the Chairman for Everything, Kevin Dixon.
Contrary to the crap his spin doctor at The Courier-Mail would have us swallow, all but pleading for his good mate to keep his job in an article on Monday, there are plenty in racing now coming forward and calling for change.
These are the stakeholders who weren’t prepared to speak out that feel they were treated like second rate citizens while an unfair proportion of the big stakes increases and infrastructure funding went to clubs and venues considered to be supporters of the Chairman.
Whether this was the case or not there is a need for a level playing field in racing in Queensland and that doesn’t only exist in the race for stakes and redevelopment of tracks and facilities. Integrity needs a massive shake-up amid news that one of the most high profile of stewards in the state – brought back on a massive contract for political reasons – could be calling it quits after the Winter Carnival.
These are the things that you won’t read or hear in the mainstream racing media that many stakeholders in the racing industry want to see happen if Labor wins Government:
· THE removal of Kevin Dixon and his ‘yes men’ from the Boards and high level administrative positions at Racing Queensland across the three codes.
· THE return of Barry Taylor and Brad Steele, the two Board members that resigned reportedly because they believed a better TAB deal could be done between Tatts and RQ and that they were not being consulted by the Chairman.
· AN investigation into the TAB deal to determine if there was any Government interference and why the Racing Minister and the RQ Chairman allegedly shut Taylor and Steele out of the negotiation process.
· WIDESPREAD changes to the Integrity situation by bringing in a couple of high profile stewards to replace Wade Birch and Allan Reardon (who is rumored to be retiring soon) and an assurance that there will be a separation of powers between integrity/stewards and Board members/administrators. This is the only way that punters and the racing public will regain confidence and return to betting on the Queensland product.
· A MASSIVE shake-up of race date allocation, prizemoney distribution and the infrastructure funding process to convince all those involved in the industry that it is a level playing field.
· DUMPING of the Cronulla Park greyhound facility to alleviate asbestos fears that continue to dog the project.
· AN examination of the deal done by RQ and Magic Millions boss Gerry Harvey and an explanation to racing stakeholders on just how much industry money is being poured into the pockets of one of Australia’s richest men.
· A LIFTING of the secrecy that has grown beyond belief since Kevin Dixon took control at RQ replacing it with more open governance with greater information being provided to the stakeholders and an end to the ‘exclusives’ to mates in the racing media who put the slant that RQ wants on these releases.
· REGARDLESS of whether Labor returns to Government in its own right, in a minority situation or if the LNP falls across the line with the help of the independents, it is time for a change in racing.
If one wanted to talk of square-ups, it could be assumed that Labor heavyweight and former RQ Board member Bill Ludwig – after being dragged through the mud at the latest Inquiry – would have a score to settle with a couple of people, especially Kevin Dixon.
Time will tell whether Dixon survives if Labor wins Government. He does have the fall-back option of reminding the Labor Party it was one of their former respected Ministers in Rob Schwarten who was responsible for appointing him to merge the warring Queensland Turf Club and Brisbane Turf Club into one entity the Brisbane Racing Club which he did with great success.
The down-side of that is that Dixon will have to convince some influential Labor figures and supporters that he didn’t jump ship to the LNP when they gained a massive landslide victory and then, in the opinion of many in racing, did the bidding of his mate, the Treasurer Tim Nicholls, whose electorate covers the Eagle Farm precinct.
There are some interesting times ahead regardless of who forms a new Government – and if the LNP and Labor have learnt anything from massive landslides against them at the past two elections – there is need for massive change – especially in racing.’
POLITICALLY AND IN RACING QUEENSLAND IS SEEN TO BE ‘DIFFERENT’ SOUTH OF THE BORDER
LEN JACKSON of the SUNSHINE COAST sent this email: 
‘IS it any wonder that people south of the border regard us as ‘different’ in Queensland – not only when it comes to racing?
It must look like we have trouble adding up when there are suggestions the count for the election could take until Wednesday of next week to determine.
While that happens the Katter Party MPs are making the most of their moment in the spotlight with some outrageous statements, not to mention demands of both parties in the event help is needed to form a minority Government.
Once again, under our ridiculous political system, minorities can hold to ransom what the majority want and voted for. Here’s hoping Labor or the LNP (which is more doubtful) secure sufficient numbers to rule in their own right and relegate these interlopers to where they belong on the backbench.
But back to racing and like the people and the politicians, stakeholders are feeling the pressure and anxiety as they await an election verdict.
Labor failed to deliver a racing policy before the election so if they get into office – either in their own right or in a minority Government – that situation needs immediate clarification.
One would assume that the new TAB deal can’t be tampered with therefore the stakes increases will proceed as promised.
But it would be nice to know if those running racing will be replaced – as happened with the Bentley Board which was considered too close to Labor.
One could argue that Kevin Dixon – although his introduction to racing occurred via a Labor appointment to merge Eagle Farm and Doomben – has been very proactive for the LNP. But the bottom line is he has done a good job in improving the industry even if some will argue it has not been a level playing field in many areas. The political start that has been delivered to Toowoomba has even Dixon’s greatest supporters hot behind the collar.
Board postings can be changed by the stroke of a Ministerial pen and there will be many who believe it is time for a change at the top. I will exclude from that the Dixon cronies in the industry who allegedly have benefitted since he took control and of course, his mates in the racing media, one of whom has already gone into bat for the boss continuing in his current role.’
ENDORSEMENT FROM QUEENSLAND NEWSPAPERS PROVES AGAIN TO BE ‘THE KISS OF DEATH’
BLAKE ANDERSON of BRISBANE writes: 
‘QUEENSLAND Newspapers showed once again that their endorsement for a political party or major project can be the ‘kiss of death’.
The Courier-Mail and The Sunday Mail went into bat telling their record readership to return the LNP Government to power and shun Labor.
The public aren’t fools and took little or no notice of them.
One would hope that Labor wins Government and reacts to the shabby treatment pre-election by diverting some of their rich advertising spending away from Queensland Newspapers as punishment for that lack of loyalty or more to the point objectivity.
Where Rupert Murdoch and his media empire is concerned forget about the ethics of journalism. It’s what’s best for the boss. We saw it during the Super League battle and we’ve seen it many times during elections.
The electorate of Queensland sent a message not only to the LNP on Saturday night but also to Queensland Newspapers that they don’t need to be told how to vote. They are fine making that decision all on their own.’
LAST STAND FOR ‘FURLONG IN FRONT STEVE’, ‘JEFF THE GOOSE’ AND ‘LAURIE THE LOSER’
BILLY COX of TOWNSVILLE sent this not so complimentary email: 
‘IF Labor achieves the impossible and claims Government, the new Minister for Racing – whoever he may be – could arguably never be as bad as the goose who held down the job for the past three years.
Furlong in front Steve with a bit of luck will not be heard of again in racing except for his rants and raves from the Opposition benches. Then again Tim Nicholls may be able to find the time to do his own ‘dirty work’ for the racing industry in future – he’ll have plenty of it on his hands if relegated to a Shadow portfolio.
The independents certainly have a couple of LNP heavyweights in their sights. Peter Wellington won’t have a bar of Jeff ‘the goose’ Seeney and the Katter Party MPs have ruled out even sitting down for a discussion at the same table as ‘Tim the Toolman’ Nicholls. Alas we may be left with the Pumpkin grower to make a re-emergence to the hot seat or heaven forbid even to get within coo-ee of shedding his ‘loser’ tag.
As for who will became Racing Minister under Labor well some will tell you that the industry will be bundled in with Treasurer and that Curtis Pitt from Cairns is the pea. Others are claiming that Stirling Hinchcliffe, the new Member for Sandgate, which takes in Deagon, could be the man.’
CURTIS IS NO BRAD PITT BUT COULD STILL BE THE RQ STAR OF THE LABOR RACING SHOW 
BOB GOLLSCHEWSKY of CAIRNS revealed this interesting tidbit:
‘IT comes as no surprise that some at the top at Racing Queensland will be hoping Curtis Pitt takes racing into his Treasury portfolio if Labor gets to announce their Cabinet, even in a minority Government.
Pitt has a history with the CEO of Racing Queensland. Before going to work for Peter Beattie he was involved with Birch, Carol and Coyle when Darren Condon was his boss when working for the cinema organization in Brisbane.
Perhaps it would be good for the two old pals to be reunited in the racing game but there are some who want to see a new broom put through the industry – and that means a Minister with no ties.
Stirling Hinchcliffe is the obvious. His electorate of Sandgate covers Deagon where RQ is headquartered. One would expect he has already been inundated with well wishes from the Trainers’ Association hierarchy who jumped ship from Bentley and the Labor Government when their boutique training venue and massive property interests were threatened under a plan to base the trots and dogs there.
Interestingly, when Hinchcliffe held his campaign launch there was not one high profile racing identity present. Labor, of course, wasn’t flavor of the month or expected to figure in the election finish.
The one former racing official, treated so badly by Queensland Racing as it was then known, who did front and offer his support was Greg Honchin (photographed with Stirling Hinchcliffe and Annastacia Palaszczuk).
Here’s hoping now that Labor looks likely to regain power they remember who their friends in racing were – not the fair weather friends – there are plenty of them at Deagon.’
WAS THE BRC FUNDING DELAYED BECAUSE OF HIGH RISE PROTESTS TO ‘TIM THE TOOLMAN’?
A PROMINENT EAGLE FARM TRAINER sent this email but asked not to be named: 
‘THERE is plenty of concern in some sections of the industry whether the redevelopment of Eagle Farm will now get the millions in funding that was promised.
Millions remain in limbo because final approval for the major stage of the project that involved tunnels etc had not been received from the LNP Government before the election was held.
It remains to be seen if a Labor Government (should they win) will fulfill this promise or whether they will share the opinion of some critics who feel the BRC should have to borrow and fund it themselves which I thought at one stage was the case.
There is an interesting story doing the rounds about why the final funding approval had not been received from the LNP Government and it involves Treasurer Tim Nicholls whose electorate covers Eagle Farm.
The rumor mill suggests that Mr Nicholls had received so many complaints from voters protesting the high rise component of the BRC development at Eagle Farm that the Government had delayed the final decision on finance until after the election.
Interesting times!’
ALARMS OVER ASBESTOS AT CRONULLA PARK WON’T EVAOPORATE EVEN FOR A NEW GOVT
BILL JOHNSON of CUDGEN continues the greyhound industry protests at the proposed Cronulla Park development: 
‘I read with interest the saga of the LNP Government and Racing Queensland in the building of a Greyhound Racing Complex on a site in Logan named Cronulla Park.
Having been connected with the building industry for many years, how four Government Racing Ministers, two Labor and one or maybe two Liberal, could preside over such a waste of time and taxpayers’ money for absolutely no result is unbelievable. The Government is constantly saying they have no money.
If the recent election result is all negative for the LNP, no wonder. If this is how the LNP appointments in 2012 (mostly controversial) at Racing Queensland of all new Board members increasing the total numbers from five to 11 and costing the industry a packet in Board remunerations on their current performance, God help us poor plebs trying to race greyhounds in Queensland.
I would agree with the Labor Party if they decided to get square by starting another Commission of Inquiry into Racing in Queensland, as was commenced by the LNP in 2012 after they won Government and put the blow torch on the then Labor-appointed Board and senior staff at Racing Queensland.
Let’s look at the facts involving this wonderful uncapped, contaminated, full of asbestos site which is a well know cancer killer by ingesting spores released in the air if the site is disturbed.
Could some genius at Racing Queensland in charge of building this complex tell the industry how you are going to manage this problem? How do you build a Greyhound Racing Complex on this site without disturbing the Asbestos?
I am told a former Greyhound Board member prior to amalgamation of the three racing codes, who was invited to price a component of the third set of plans, budgeted at $12 million, which I recently read came in $3 million over budget.
Being aware the tip site was not capped, he went to Logan City Council as a good employer protecting his workmen and asked the question: “What are the requirements under the Environmental Protection Act for persons coming in contact with asbestos on a contaminated tip site?”
He was astounded with the reply he got. He was virtually shown the door. And further he did not get the nod for the job. I wonder why?
Obviously this is how jobs that should be open and accountable by tender are handled at Racing Queensland.
It is worth noting this proposed Greyhound Racing Complex at Cronulla Park is not welcome by most of the greyhound industry. Why? You do not go about enjoying your hobby while putting your health at risk. Life is too short.
What about Logan City Council? I believe they also do not want this Complex to be built. In talking to a councillor recently he told me over 12,000 objections have been lodged, and he is little bit concerned about a coming Council election, and he has every reason to be concerned after the recent blood bath the LNP received, because he is a LNP councillor.
Well it appears all councillors are not on the same page. I received anonymously in the mail some time ago, a copy of a letter written by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Russell Lutton, to Ms Debbie Arnold, President of the United Greyhound Association, dated 14 June 2013, from which I quote:
“I thought I would put a few facts together for your meeting with the Board on Sunday.
“Cronulla Park operated as a small municipal tip in the late 70’s and early 80’s. It has not operated since 1983 and has been closed for over 30 years. It was only used for household waste and burial of dead animals. There were no nasties ever dumped there.”
Having read on the internet, people have confirmed in writing to Racing Queensland they have personally dumped tons of asbestos and construction material in this old tip site, who is Deputy Mayor Lutton kidding?
I further quote from Councillor Lutton’s letter to Dear Debbie:
“The land is owned by the State Government but Council has been monitoring the site for contaminants ever since its closure as a tip. Monitoring of the leachates and methane gas has never been a problem.”
Could Deputy Mayor Lutton please explain why black sticky leachate is currently pouring out of the tip site and running into nearby Slacks Creek and the Environmental Protection Department of Government is currently investigating and requested Council to fix the matter?
Next quote from Councillor Luttton’s letter: “The ground water contaminants are still there but can be managed in the normal storm water system. All this means is that there is no environmental reason that a Greyhound track cannot be built and operated safely on the site.”
Well Mr Lutton I have news for you – there is no storm water system available on or to the site, and further the Environmental Protection Agency advises that there are a large number of outstanding requisitions on the site; refer letters regarding a Development Application to Logan City Council, and Racing Queensland 2011/2012. Isn’t it time to tell the truth to Dear Debbie and her associates, UGA, Mr Lutton?’
TOOWOOMBA TURF CLUB COPS REAL BAGGING FROM FORMER COMMITTEEMAN 
ANTHONY BURKE, a former committeeman of the TOOWOOMBA TURF CLUB, sent this email:
‘THE title ‘Good, Bad, Ugly’ sums up the efforts of the existing Toowoomba Turf Club committee, headed by their infamous ‘cowboy’ Chairman.
Not only are they in the words of our poorly informed TV racing media, ‘having a well earned rest’, they are still struggling to gain local business support.
The new Stallion Club corporate sponsorship shows a total of 24 - yes 24 sponsors – of which 14 at least are actually suppliers and two are committee members’ place of work.
So out of a population of one of Australia's largest inland cities of 100,000 people and surrounding areas they cannot attract any sponsors confident that they will get (bang for their buck) as the website states.
As a past member I know that most of the list of sponsors is contra deals so no cash is generated and to get rid of this contra deal sponsorship was the brain child of the new Treasurer.
No wonder the financial report I received stated a big query over the financial viability of the Toowoomba Turf Club which is now top heavy with so many staff pushing paper and family members employed.
RQ must have deep pockets propping up this disaster and joke which has driven trainers elsewhere or prompted them to just give up.
With losses in the food and beverage areas, failed corporate sponsors and no small businesses on board, this just demonstrates why the club is a shadow of its former self.
Previous Chairmen, from Thorpe to Zeller to Stewart and many successful administrators who had contacts and rapport with the people of the Darling Downs, must turn in their graves or shake their heads to see what has happened when a committee like this attempts to run a club like a flea market stall.
The club still four years on after it was presented in minutes to the previous CEO who was shown the door, has no business plan that has been presented to the members. This idea was given to the committee and they ignored it. Hey we know better!
No business plan or short term goals, long term goals, strengths and weaknesses or marketing analysis and target markets for sponsors and members.
I could go on, but my vent is what people who previously have been members and now have not renewed and the members who have remained, already know.
The Toowoomba Turf Club is like a poorly planned political party with no depth, no leader with vision, outside influences and questionable deals that seem to benefit very few. No plans or policies and no consistent revenue, nothing, nada.
Members’ benefits are a joke for $132 a year.
It's been closed more than open and nothing's changed – a few new concrete areas and windows – but still no master plan for making this a multi-purpose venue. This idea was also given to them by a previous committee member. Don't spend the cash in the bank. Step by step plan to renovate and borrow against the cash and the cash flow of previous chairman Stewart.
It will take at least 10 years if ever for the club is to have a million dollars in the bank and be financially viable and that would only happen when people with the respect of the region are running it.
I'm sad more than mad and disappointed for the hard working people of the past who poured their heart and soul into the Toowoomba Turf Club as that soul and heart is now gone.
RIP Toowoomba Turf Club.
Members you reap what you sow when you vote and don't stand up for what you believe in.’
DID PUNTERS GET A RAW DEAL WITH SOME FAVORITES LAST SATURDAY? 
MERV the MAD PUNTER of BRISBANE returns with a WHINGE
‘IT’S been a while since I had a rant and rave about the woes of punters but last Saturday got the better of me again, so here goes.
I thought Better Land was a class above his rivals at Flemington and so did most of the so-called experts. I knew I was in trouble after he blew from $2.7 to $4. Those bookie boys are too good for me. Their mail is rarely wrong and he was the first horse beaten, dropping out to finish seventh.
Then we had a $71 winner, albeit ridden by Damien Oliver, in River’s Lane at Flemington. It improved a furlong on a 10th out of 11 at Morphettville Parks at its previous start, even allowing for a drop in class.
I have saved my loudest whine for the meeting at Doomben and would have expected a bit more probing from the stewards on the day.
Was that the same Double Image that went around in the first that we saw come from last to win at the Sunshine Coast?
The form in Mackay must be super because Craiglea Wandoo came off a defeat there by its stablemate Craiglea Jabiru to make that horse and the southern rivals look second rate in the second.
Egyptian Melody was a street corner tip on debut in the third and was sent out odds-on but never got sighted then the last start winner Tiger Dimejan stayed in the stalls and missed the start 10 lengths after drifting from $3.2 to $4 in the next.
But they saved the best for the feature race at Doomben when Saturn Rock at $21 scored a boilover win in Listed grade after being beaten five lengths in a Class 3 at Ipswich at his previous start.
In the words of the punters – ‘They have to be kidding’. They’re too good for me.’
‘FULL MARKS TO SKY FOR TURNING THEIR BACK ON CALLANDER AND CLARK’ 
BLAKE ANDREWS of MELBOURNE writes:
‘THIS whole debacle with TVN needs to be resolved sooner rather than latter and for the sake of the punters Australian racing needs a channel to compete with Sky.
It seems that TVN has been bleeding money for a long time. Someone has to explain how that was allowed to happen by the powers that be and perhaps the appointment of an auditor of administrator is the answer.
It always puzzled me how you could have hosts flying from Melbourne to Sydney and Sydney to Melbourne on Saturdays and big days when the locals seemed well enough credentialed to do the job.
Now we are hearing that Sky is only interested in taking aboard three on-air personalities from TVN in Brent Zerafa, Jason Richardson and Michael Sharkie.
Full marks to Sky for turning their back on Richard Callander and Bruce Clark, who in the opinion of many, are over-rated and over-paid. Both are great survivors and Callander, through his dad, has plenty of influence.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: HERE is a story by PATRICK BARTLEY in THE AGE that may have prompted the above e-mail:
SOME of Victoria's racing powerbrokers are still urging that an administrator or an auditor be placed into the beleaguered TVN network following its years of huge financial wastage.
With tens of millions of dollars already wasted during the network's time, senior officials believe that an administrator or an auditor will finally disclose the damage the racing broadcaster has caused.
While NSW and Victoria have decided to part company, the latter still remains searching for a suitable broadcaster of the Victorian racing pictures.
Just last week Fairfax Media revealed that the industry-owned broadcaster had not lodged a financial report since October 2012, when Harold Mitchell was still the chairman.
TVN reported a profit of $4.6 million for the year to June 30, but the audit report from Deloittes did note a "material uncertainty regarding continuation as a going concern".
The main concern was that the company's current liabilities exceeded its assets by $13.3 million as of June 30, 2012.
The current liabilities included $17 million worth of media rights it owed its shareholders and racing club members from 2007-08 that was "at call".
NSW managed to broker a deal on all levels including digital with Tabcorp after just two weeks of talks, something the Victorian race clubs could not achieve in two years.
Known now in sporting circles as "the dad's army" of negotiators, it's believed they are still hopeful of an alternative deal with Channel Seven and Foxtel.
However, Fairfax Media understands that the chances are now remote that any suitor outside of Sky Channel will be found.
As one senior executive said on Sunday: "This mob negotiating on behalf of Victoria can't get along with NSW let alone themselves when it comes to making decisions. We've got to see exactly how much wastage was caused. How disadvantaged are we going to be going forward. And Racing Victoria don't even have the rights, so it's the clubs that will have to find the money."
In one of the most amazing deals, Channel Seven broadcast on 28 race meetings for more than $2 million a year, a contract that will last another five years, with NSW and Victoria consenting to honour the contract by contributing $1 million a year.
Fairfax Media also understands that only three of the TVN on-air personalities – Jason Richardson, Michael Sharkie and Sydney journalist Brent Zerafa, who is also the editor of the associate website racing network – are the only ones under consideration by Sky Channel.
It is understood an administrator would be able to decipher the contracts made during the final years of TVN's existence.
"What we want to see is how much money will have to be paid out with staff already on exorbitant money and then do they have long contracts going forward that these clubs will have to honour?" the executive said.
"I think we are entitled as an industry to see where all of these millions and millions of dollars have gone," he said.
Fairfax Media can also reveal that the newly elected state government is taking a dim view of the TVN train wreck and the enormous amounts of money that have been lost to racing.
The government is bemused that the vision and media rights are held by Country Racing Victoria, Melbourne Racing Club, Moonee Valley Racing Club and the VRC.
Privately it sees not only the performance of the four in failing the industry but also believes it could be the reason that a racing commission is created in Victoria.
Racing Victoria does not have any rights for vision and media, but the government has been impressed by its handling of the cobalt issue over the past three weeks.
It's believed that some of the state-of-the-art trucks used by TRP, the production arm of TVN, may well be kept back from a fire sale of assets to be used by racing.com.
One of the key negotiators with the four clubs is former AFL staffer Andrew Catteral.
Fairfax Media has learnt that Tabcorp is prepared to talk to the Victorian group. However, it appears that alternative suitors are being sought.
Just last week NSW signed a 10-year deal with Tabcorp and Sky Channel but as yet there is no movement on the Victorian situation.
It's also understood that the final broadcast date will be at the end of February, shortly after the running of the Blue Diamond Stakes meeting staged by the Melbourne Racing Club.
It could be a telling few months if Racing Victoria is not given the vision rights for this state's racing.
Fairfax understands that if the vision and media rights are not turned over to Racing Victoria, the principal body of racing in this state, it could well be a trigger for the state government to hold its own inquiry into the financial ruin of TVN over the past decade.
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