THE WEDNESDAY WHINGE has a new look but won’t be dispensing with the 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 10 of the best 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.
IT’S A BIT IRISH BUT THE WEDNESDAY WHINGE IS OUT EARLY THIS WEEK
PLEASE NOTE: BECAUSE of a planned TELSTRA interruption to the broadband network in the region we are based this week the WEDNESDAY WHINGE has been published a day earlier. With the prospect of our service being down for up to two or three days we have no option. Thanks for getting your contributions in EARLY. It has ensured the Whinge is of its normal quality, quantity and appealing standard – at least to those who don’t mind an objective view of what’s happening in racing, especially in Queensland.
IF ‘LIVE BAITING’ OF GREYHOUNDS IS CRUEL, WHAT DO YOU CALL ‘DUCK SHOOTING’? 
STEFAN MEIER, of MELBOURNE, a valued contributor to the Whinge, offers these thoughts on the future of greyhound racing.
‘HOW often have we heard that things in Australia are ‘Steeped In Tradition’.
Well, I believe one of them, greyhound racing won't be around much longer.
Now obviously in a public forum like this we have to be sensitive as to what we can and cannot say, and it won't come as any surprise if this letter goes straight to the trash button, but sometimes the truth is ugly and hard to accept.
Many years ago I was a licensed greyhound trainer. It was the seventies, and a seemingly different world to today. The people that gave out the advice were hardened, and the game was not for the feint hearted. We were taught the only way a greyhound was going to make it was for it to be so keen it had to want to go through plate glass to get to that quarry. Forget all your ‘sight hound’ and squeaky toy theories, there was only one way this was going to happen, and so it was.
If anyone wants a glimpse of what's to come, take a look at the replay of Race 10 at Mandurah on Tuesday the 14th of March. The even money favorite Rock Kingdom, just as he was about to take the lead on the home turn, changed his mind about the whole plan and the resultant carnage on the rest of the field quickly became obvious as he attacked a rival dog.
‘Traditionally’, the trainer would be hauled before the stewards for the inevitable ban and words to the effect of ‘get him interested’ or that's it. How long would we really be expecting punters to bet on this stuff once the only dogs trained on a piece of sheepskin with a squeaker in it are running around?
Interestingly though, Victoria, one of the states who decried the heinous practices of the greyhound industry, still allow duck shooting. Sentient water birds are blasted from the skies with shotguns, rarely killed, and hit the water flapping in what must be the most excruciating pain and suffering one could imagine and then I'm sure, very gently collected by a gun dog and brought to the shooter to finally end the ordeal. Of course this is regarded as a fine outstanding Australian ‘tradition’ and is to be recommended, even bringing children in to start their careers of torture.
Oh hang on, I get it now, one is using dogs for illegal animal cruelty and brutality and the other is using a different breed of dog for legal animal cruelty and brutality. Yes, got it, makes perfect sense to me.
Of course it's a different world we live in now and eventually even duck shooting will be banned as it already is in some states. Unfortunately for the greyhound industry, as the saying goes ‘you can't have one without the other’ and regardless of what today’s trainers might be trying to sell us, the truth is, it's what's known in sales circles as a DWF, a dog with fleas, and it will be punters who eventually will decide the matter once and for all.
If there's one thing punters won't put up with, it's losing their money on conveyances that aren't even trying or knocking over half of the field. Of course the industry has always had its share of these miscreants by itself, but now it's just going to turn into an epidemic. It's over folks, political correctness has got us in the butt, and sadly it's time to pack it in.’
‘ONLY ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION TO GREYHOUND INQUIRY IS PUTTING A BROOM THROUGH RQ’ 
ALBERT WILLIAMS, of REDCLIFFE, a valued regular to the Wednesday Whinge, makes this contribution:
‘WE keep hearing how the Labor Government-ordered Review into Greyhound Racing practices in Queensland has been upgraded to a Commission of Inquiry to enhance industry disclosure.
Let’s face it there are arguably only three alternatives for Racing Minister Bill Byrne after barrister Alan MacSporran makes his report (and perhaps recommendations).
One is for a line to be drawn in the sand banning the practice of ‘live baiting’ but putting past misdemeanors in the ‘too hard’ basket (considering lawyers for alleged offenders will claim secret camera footage was obtained illegally and is therefore inadmissible). That 'line in the sand' theory is not likely to happen.
The second is to march forward with the prosecutions of those involved, even if it means throwing old men (greyhound trainers) into jail and making examples of those who were unfortunate enough to be caught doing what many in the sport have done since Adam was using more than an apple to get rover to run around Eve’s tree. That is probably the most politically sensitive solution.
But then there is the third and final scenario – the one that most who have followed this sad saga believe should happen. The Racing Minister should use the greyhound debacle to put the broom through the administration at Racing Queensland. The blame has to rest with someone for failing to act on these ‘live baiting’ practices which weren’t as detectable as some officials would have us believe. Those at the top of RQ have to go – so does the Board of Greyhound Racing. To suggest – as friends of friends are in hushed terms behind the scenes – that certain people are ‘safe’ because of the old lawyers’ mates act – is simply plain dumb and an insult to those running this Review or Inquiry or whatever you want to call it.
Of course there is a fourth scenario – close greyhound racing down – which is what many are starting to believe should happen. But it won’t – for obvious reasons of betting returns and job security for the many good people involved in the industry.
The outcome will indeed be interesting and those suggesting the Labor Government won’t act too strongly because of its minority should take off their blinkers and have a good look at the latest opinion polls – not those run in The Courier-Mail (which only delivers what Lord Rupert's agenda wants) but the one done for the politically fair Fairfax-owned Brisbane Times.
AS their story reads (I urge you to log into www.brisbanetimes.com.au for the most unbiased political coverage in Queensland) :
LABOR would easily win a state election if it was held tomorrow a new poll has found, with Annastacia Palaszczuk considered the ‘better’ premier over Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg by both male and female voters. (*Now that comes as no surprise to anyone who has followed politics in Queensland - few want Laurence the Loser to do anything but retire).
The latest Roy Morgan poll found Labor would win the election 52.5 per cent to 47.5 per cent on a two party preferred basis.
Between April 10 and 13, 5631 people across Australia were asked by SMS about their voting intention in their respective states, with the results showing Ms Palaszczuk's government had grown in support since the Billy Gordon crisis hit it.
A Galaxy Poll published by NewsCorp on Sunday found the parties deadlocked at 50/50 for support, but 53 per cent of respondents believed Ms Palaszczuk was doing a good job as Premier.
The Morgan poll was more favorable, showing 61.5 per cent of respondents found Ms Palaszczuk the better choice of premier, with Mr Springborg winning 38.5 per cent of the vote.
The pollsters credited Ms Palaszczuk's Government's growth in support, which they found to be up 3.5 per cent since March, to her handling of Mr Gordon's situation.
On the primary vote, of which the LNP won the majority at the January 31 election, the Morgan poll found the ALP had increased 3.5 per cent to 40 per cent, the LNP dropped the same amount, but remained slightly ahead on 40.5 per cent, while support for the Katter's increased by 0.5 per cent to 3 per cent.’
THE RQ SLOGAN ‘WE RUN AS ONE’ CERTAINLY DOESN’T APPLY TO THE DOGS THESE DAYS 
ALEX GRIFFIN of LANDSBOROUGH weighed into the greyhound debate as well with this contribution
‘NOT long ago I read that the Racing Queensland slogan for the Racing Industry was “We Run As One”. I could be forgiven for thinking I read it wrong in view of what is happening today.
Let’s stop and reflect on what does this mean? I would have thought this would mean a fair go for each code involved in racing.
Take a look at the last 12 months operations in Queensland of the Gallops, Greyhounds and Harness Racing
1. Gallops:
Eagle Farm Racecourse closed mid 2014 with no optimal date for re-opening.
Townsville Racecourse closed January 2015 heading to “We of the Never Never”.
Toowoomba Racecourse is a basket case according to some racing journalists.
These are three of the top Gallop tracks in Queensland. What does that tell you?
2. Greyhounds:
Live Baiting and Blooding Scandal, how did this happen? It kept the journalists of TV and newspapers rubbing their hands with glee for weeks. What was the highly paid Administrative CEO doing for his big salary instead of apparently answering emails from Animal Liberation Queensland?
Has the Greyhound Industry been kept informed? The answer is no, as usual, the licensees involved are at breaking point, the trial track owners, other than the person allegedly involved, are at breaking point over what may I ask? Some would say dodgy decisions.
Where are all the innocent licensees left in this debacle having to sign a poorly designed Stat Dec covering in most cases what they did or did not do with their hobby in the last 10 years of their life? Could someone please tell me would the Unions in the workplace stand for such tactics? I would think not, so why the Greyhound Industry?
Next the Cronulla Park debacle, one moment it was being constructed obviously nobody at Government level or Racing Queensland knew what was going on, the next moment it wasn’t being constructed and finally I read it is now dead and buried. This project should never have got off the ground in the first place. How much was spent on this doomed from the start project, and how much damage financially over eight years did this incur to the Greyhound Budget? Who cares seems to be the attitude of all involved; it is not going to affect my pay packet, so why worry, but too bad if it affects the pay packets of those pesky Greyhound licensees trying to run a business with the aim to make a living in the Greyhound Industry.
3. Harness:
The eerie silence hanging over Harness Racing while the other two codes are copping it in the neck is remarkable. The rumors floating around the tracks are saying a silver haired follower of the code is making sure this code keeps its head down from any flying shrapnel that may pass their way.
Many moons ago you could look in the Industry’s monthly Journal and see a list of Registered Trial Tracks, so what happened to that list? Were these tracks actually registered or not, or was that a figment of imagination.
I thought I might do a little research re the gentleman who has the Greyhound Trial Track at Churchable now under investigation. Low and behold I came across an advertisement in the official Greyhound monthly Journal commissioned by Racing Queensland and, one would imagine or hope, proof read by someone in authority at Racing Queensland prior to going to print. This Advertisement was soliciting Break-in Greyhounds meaning track work on this now declared unregistered trial track. This paid advertisement by the proprietor of the Trial Track in an official Greyhound Journal appeared for 10 consecutive months.
I continued researching the Journals for my friend who told me he has two pups that are one year old at the end of the month. He had contacted his regular break-in track for an appointment, only to be told they have been closed down because the owner will not submit to a lure driver examination, after all he has been driving a lure for some 20 odd years. The track owner told him he had paid his registration regularly to Racing Queensland, yet they keep informing him he is not registered. I also noted in my research the trial track owner had a paid advertisement re his track in the official Greyhound Journal every month from January 2012 until July 2014. Further I noted in the Greyhound Journal advertisements for another public trial track at Ormeau, maybe not registered also.
Obviously there is only so much money available in the pot at the bottom of the garden from where it seems the fairies are in charge of the distribution to each code. Does that make sense?
I do not think so. Why do we have a highly paid CEO ($295.523 2013/4 Annual Report) when the Administrative arm of the Industry does not seem to know whether the Greyhound Rearing Establishments, Breaking-in Facilities, Trial Tracks (including RQ’s own Trial Track) are registered or not?
Final thought: Competent Board Members and Administrators are hard to find, harder to keep, but seem to become quickly redundant in any Industry.’
DON’T COUNT ON ANYTHING CONSTRUCTIVE – JUST WALL-TO-WALL CARNIVAL COVERAGE 
LEX MUIR of GOLD COAST sent this email:
‘ALL we will get in The Courier-Mail over the next couple of months when it comes to racing coverage will be carnival news with a positive slant on the $2 million (what an absurd amount of prizemoney) Stradbroke.
Don’t worry about how bad most of the tracks are performing or the situations with clubs in the north that are being driven to the wall by bad decision making and lack of support or the outcome of the greyhound inquiry and its implications on all codes.
And if there is any blame afforded for what is happening in some of these unfortunate venues count on it being apportioned to someone other than the Chairman – more like the CEO – he seems to be the whipping boy for everything from the ‘live baiting’ problems to hanging out Little King Kev’s underwear on a rainy day at the Deagon Bunker. Then again he should watch who he has 'secret dinners' with - that person might just be one of those stabbing him in the back.
When you read the report in the Silks & Saddles column by Terry Butts it seems the Mackay Turf Club has found a great supporter in the Member for Mirani. He certainly isn’t going to sit back and be fed bullshit by RQ. Here’s hoping he asks a few questions about why some clubs are being treated so differently to the teacher's pet at Toowoomba. Won't that be a fun day when the big hoedown occurs in a couple of weeks and we get the Little King and his Cowboy mate in the one room.
But back to the poor MP from Mirani. He’ll be just another one for the banned list for the little King Kev Fan Club so don’t count on any objective coverage of what this MP has to say inside or outside of the House in the mainstream racing media.
That’s not allowed at any time – let alone when the wonderful carnival is on – even if it is being run on some of the worst tracks in Queensland racing history.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: I checked out how the Clifford Park track came through its first real test and was told that all concerned gave it a big thumbs up in preparation for the primary carnival Saturday meeting in a fortnight when the Toowoomba Cup and Weetwood will be run.
THE ‘HE’S GOING BAD NOW BECAUSE HE CAN’T USE THAT STUFF’ DOESN’T APPLY TO MOODY 
ALAN MARTIN of MELBOURNE sent this timely email on champion trainer PETER MOODY:
‘AS the cobalt saga drags on it might be having a significant behind the scenes impact on top trainers like Peter Moody but on the surface that doesn’t appear to be the case.
If – and it’s a big ‘IF’ – the Moody horses were assisted in their performance by the use of cobalt (unwittingly as has apparently been suggested through some vitamins being added to the diet), the non-use of that now certainly hasn’t altered his ability to win big races.
Whenever there is a drug cloud hanging over a stable and their horses fail to perform the hushed cry often goes up not only in the industry but also in the punting ranks – ‘he’s going bad now because he can’t use that stuff’.
It’s an allegation that certainly cannot be leveled at Moody who continues to enjoy a terrific winning run despite the cloud that hangs over his training career.
That was highlighted at the weekend when he won three feature races at Randwick spearheaded by the successful swansong of Dissident in the Group One All Aged Stakes and the culmination of a magnificent training effort with a bargain buy when Pasadena Girl took out the Champagne Stakes. There was also the success of rising staying star Hi World in the Frank Packer Plate.
As Matt Stewart wrote in a column in the Herald Sun, ‘the Moody resurgence has come at the most difficult time of his career.
The cobalt saga grinds on, with no end in sight to a stewards’ probe into Moody, Mark Kavanagh, Danny O’Brien and the Hopes.
The trainers are adamant they will be vindicated and the stewards seem less certain in their science, those who reckon they know how this will play out are only guessing.
Regardless of eventual outcomes, whether they have knowingly ‘cheated’ or not, Moody and Co have for months operated under incredible pressure and uncertainty.
Charges have not been laid but businesses and brands have suffered.’
I don’t know Peter Moody – but I was at a function where he spoke – and I couldn’t have been more impressed by his open, honest and down to earth attitude.
My hope is that one of the greatest trainers to emerge in the modern day in this country survives this ordeal. If he has done something wrong then he – like the others – deserves to suffer a penalty. But here’s hoping it isn’t career threatening. Australian racing can ill-afford to lose wonderful identities and success stories of his ilk.’
IS THERE A FINE LINE IN SLOWING THE PACE BETWEEN SMART TACTICS & DANGEROUS RIDING? 
‘DOC’ ANDREWS of SYDNEY sent this thought-provoking email:
‘MY mates and I have been around long enough following racing that we remember the days when drivers would be ‘pinched’ at the trots for setting an excessively slow pace.
Surely Ray Murrihy – an old harness man himself – would remember that time when it was seen as an ‘unsafe’ practice to put those reinsmen on runners back in the field under a throttlehold and running up each other’s behinds.
It’s obviously different at the gallops and seen as smart tactics if a top jockey is allowed to dictate such a slow pace in front that one of his colleagues on a well backed runner suffers the same fate back in the field.
Such was the case in the All Aged Stakes on Saturday which anyone who follows race patterns, sectional times or tactics will agree brought about the success of Dissident and the downfall of favorite Chautauqua.
But rather than me rave on about what befell punters and the fortunes of an absolute superstar – in my opinion – in Chautauqua, I will leave it to the pen of Ken Callander who wrote this in his column in the Daily Telegraph post-race:
TWO old hard heads, Jim Cassidy and Damien Oliver, cost Chautauqua the Group 1 All Aged Stakes on Saturday, not Tommy Berry.
I can’t believe the criticism of Berry. What was he supposed to do?
The horse nearly fell at the 900m, he raced ungenerously and Berry had to get him off the rails. And when he did move him up three deep coming to the turn, he had second favorite Terravista four deep outside him.
All of the shuffling and the trouble horses were getting into back in the field was caused by the two wily veterans Oliver and Cassidy slowing the field down and running the race to suit themselves. They succeeded because Dissident (Cassidy) finished first and Wandjina (Oliver) second.
Unfortunately for Chautauqua, he hit a flat spot just after straightening and was going nowhere until the last 120m when he got going again and charged into third spot.
If Berry rode a bad race at Saturday’s meeting he probably went a bit too quick on The Barrister in the Champagne Stakes. He left his horse without a feather to fly in the final 100m and set the race up perfectly for the favorite and eventual winner Pasadena Girl.’
There is a rule in racing which can see a jockey dealt with if he gets to the front and excessively slows the speed. There’s a fine line between good tactics and dangerous riding.
I am not suggesting what Oliver and Cassidy did in the All Aged on Saturday bordered on ‘dangerous’ but it certainly didn’t help the situation of Berry or Chautauqua which in my opinion should have continued his winning run and spoilt the retirement party for Dissident and another success story for Moody and Cassidy.’
THEY SPEND $2 MILLION ON THE STRADBROKE BUT THE WHEELS FALL OF THE BARRIERS 
‘JOHN the FIREMAN’, of BRISBANE, an occasional contributor, has these thoughts on racing in Queensland and as an owner he isn’t very happy at present:
‘I see your site continues to ask the questions of Racing Queensland that everyone would like to know answers to, particularly when we can expect the basic things required to run a successful industry.
RQ remains a joke in my eyes and continues to shovel out ‘you know what’ and for some absurd reason think things are okay and that there doing a satisfactory job.
These are my brief thoughts and comments on the situation:
On the day they open the carnival with media around and leading trainers talking it up the basics continue to fail to be delivered.
I went to the jump-outs to see my horse which were originally going to be held (last) Tuesday at Eagle Farm and then that was changed to Thursday. I arrived to be told they were cancelled – due to a wheel falling off the barriers.
What a joke! The number one track and owners are being charged over $200 a month per horse for a track that is a work site and can’t provide all basic facilities to train/educate your horse.
Having not been to Eagle Farm for some time you have to ask what’s going on? The track works look half done with no tunnel in site. After asking a few questions I was advised that apparently the track will be reopened in five months.
The story goes the tunnels aren’t being done. Well I thought the tunnels were high on the list of things that needed to be done and looking at the site you would have to question the time line.
But back to the jump out debacle – well some staff were happy that the barrier incident occurred. The reason for their delight was that it didn’t happen crossing Nudgee Road.
From an owner’s point of view this costs education time and extra money but RQ and the powers that be in my opinion wouldn’t have a clue on what is required to put the product on show.
Roughly now for every day the horse has to remain in work (instead of starting its spell) until the barrier work is done, the difference is around $60 a day.
The overall cost depends on when jump outs and trials are programmed again in the future. Who knows what the eventual cost will be.
So when I see them going on about a $2 million Stradbroke and having SKY at Toowoomba talking up the new track and there stand alone (Cup day) meeting soon, it just shows again they have no idea!
An increase for the Stradbroke yes – but it didn’t need to be that much when you have an industry in need of money for other things. Examples – tracks, facilities, further prize money increases/country provincial and maintenance.
If you could get some answers on the needed things that would be appreciated.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: JUST on one point you made John – the problem with the barrier stalls should not be blamed on RQ but is an issue that needs to be addressed with the Brisbane Racing Club.
‘IF YOU FOLLOW RACING IN VICTORIA SKY IS TREATING YOU LIKE A SECOND RATE DILL’ 
MIKE FEATHERSTONE of BENDIGO sent this email on the lack of Victorian quality in the SKY coverage:
EVERY week we receive several emails complaining about the quality of the SKY service since TVN was closed. Here is another example and we are going to continue to run these whether they fall on deaf ears at the broadcast network or not.
‘SATURDAY was another classic example of why there needs to be a rival broadcaster to SKY.
Their coverage of the 10 race wonderful card from Caulfield was a disgrace or more to the point near on non-existent.
It’s fine for Racing Victoria to tell us we can tune into some obscure coverage on a network only available to those who understand new technology. Most of us stay-at-home punters just want to watch the races on the box.
At present we get no build up or follow up coverage to racing in Victoria. The NSW and Queensland-dominated SKY Channel seems intent on paying the best state of racing in this country nothing more than lip service.
Let’s see what happens when the spring carnival comes around. Then they will want to be there boots and all no doubt.
I am not saying the big meeting from Randwick did not deserve prime coverage on Saturday but surely Caulfield deserved some mounting yard and interview time before each race as well as some review time after each. Instead we got nothing.
But they still found the time to air the ordinary Doomben meeting in full which made SKY an even bigger joke than it already is.
Let’s not even bother getting into too much detail about Sunday racing when Victorian provincials again take a back seat role to some non event bush fixture in NSW and we are subjected to the talking heads in the studio with Tony ‘I struggle to tip a winner that isn’t a short priced favorite’ at centre stage.
Whether they like it or not the new Sky Central – apart from some wonderful contributions by Michael Maxworthy and Greg Radley – is nothing short of second rate. It matches the overall coverage of SKY – not within a bull’s roar of what we came to expect every week from a more professional TVN outfit.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: Just log in on your computer to racing.com in Victoria and you can watch all the action before and after the races live in what is an excellent coverage Mike. I agree there needs to be a better SKY deal for the Saturday meeting from Melbourne. But I think it should be pointed out that the SKY team of Greg Radley, Mike Maxworthy and Carolyn Searcy are the ultimate professionals and do a wonderful job as does the new racecaller in Sydney, Darren Flindell (ex Hong Kong). If you watch Friday night racing, there is excellent coverage of the Victorian meeting (courtesy of form experts like David Gateley and interviews by Jo MacKinnon). I also want to give Mike Maxworthy a rap for his tip of Gypsy Diamond at juicy odds in the JRA Plate at Randwick during his Friday night hosting segment.
‘RACING AUSTRALIA – A NEW NAME BUT THE SAME BORING MOB RUNNING THE SHOW’ 
PERCIVAL SMITH of MELBOURNE writes:
‘THEY can dress it up as something different but it’s still the same old boring mob running the show now that Racing Australia has replaced the industry’s biggest toothless tiger, the Australian Racing Board.
In my opinion it’s simply treading water, more jobs for the boys, or a ‘white ant’ colony which unfortunately gives even more power to what many in the industry consider are our greatest parasites, the breeders.
Then again what would you expect when you have breeders running the show, aided and abetted by ‘Mr Racing’ himself, the great ringmaster, Peter V’landys.
Racing Australia now incorporates the ARB, RISA (Racing Information Services Australia) and the ASB (Australian Stud Book). It promises to consolidate the data bases of the industry and according the Chairman John Messara will lead to substantial cost savings and greater efficiencies.
Greater efficiencies are certainly overdue where RISA is concerned – just ask many stakeholders who are forced to deal with that organization and as for cost savings well the best I can say on that is time will tell.
Will it mean the breeders have greater stay in our major national body – one would think so now that the Stud Book is incorporated? Most believe they are already too influential and the biggest winners in the decision making process in racing in this country.
We need an industry that isn’t run by breeders – too many conflicts of interests, just look at the helm of the ARB and some racing state authorities.
Instead of worrying about their own backyard it would be nice to say the ARB or Racing Australia or whatever they want to call themselves do something about the greatest threat to the financial viability of racing in this country – the corporate bookmakers.
But don’t hold your breath – no-one seems to want to do anything about those parasites.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: HERE’S a story on the aims of the new body by RAY THOMAS in the DAILY TELEGRAPH:
RACING Australia, a new national body incorporating racing’s key national functions and assets, commenced operations this week.
John Messara, the Racing NSW chairman who was elected chairman of Racing Australia at an inaugural board meeting on Monday, said the new body consolidates the databases of the racing industry and will lead to substantial cost savings and greater efficiencies.
Racing Australia merges the Australian Racing Board (ARB), Racing Information Services Australia (RISA) and the Australian Stud Book (ASB) into one entity.
While it will be business as usual in the delivery of services, industry participants now have the convenience of dealing with a single organisation.
“The formation of Racing Australia promises to be an exciting period for the industry,’’ Messara said.
“There is enormous scope to better utilise the industry’s combined assets for the benefit of industry participants.
“The integration of the databases will significantly enhance integrity and transparency and a number of initiatives in this regard will be announced in coming months.
“Racing Australia represents a long held desire by the Australian racing industry for greater unity and cohesion between jurisdictions.
“I believe that the goodwill which brought Racing Australia about will see it serve the interests of the industry into the future.”
The shareholders of Racing Australia are the eight Principal Racing Authorities representing every state and territory.
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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.
