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.
SURELY THE HEAD OF INTEGRITY HASN’T TAKEN LEAVE AFTER HIS ENFORCED HOLIDAY 
FRED ABBOTT of GOLD COAST sent this email:
‘WE were delegates to the Australian Racing Conference and surprised to learn that the Head of Integrity for Racing Queensland in Wade Birch was on leave during the Winter Carnival.
Even some of the high profile stewards from interstate jurisdictions could not believe that Wade was absent overseas after the time he spent on the sideline during the Greyhound Commission of Inquiry.
Apart from that this is the most important time of the racing year for Queensland and one would have thought that Birch would have been present for the Winter Carnival racing.
Instead we find out that he has taken leave not long after having an extended holiday after being stood down pending the outcome of the Inquiry. It just doesn’t make sense.
The rumour mill suggests that he is in Hong Kong and looking at a stewards’ job that has come up in Macau. That is interesting.
Probably the best thing Wade could do is take it. Story goes his $350,000 a year Head of Integrity job at RQ – apart from the reported promise of the CEO’s job – will be worth zilch if his good mate, the Chairman, is told to ride off into the sunset.’
MORE MILLIONS WASTED ON A RACING INQUIRY THAT PROVE TO BE A ‘FIZZER’ 
ALBERT WILLIAMS, of REDCLIFFE, a regular contributor, heads the debate on this week’s hot topic – racing inquiries in Queensland.
‘IT would seem that more millions have been wasted on another Racing Inquiry in Queensland which has produced an embarrassing result for the Government that commissioned it.
The three that have been conducted – before the current one involving the greyhound ‘live baiting’ scandal – have all proved to be fizzers and in the opinion of many industry insiders nothing more than political witch-hunts.
One might argue that in view of what has transpired in recent weeks the latest has been the greatest joke of all. In fact those high profile LNP politicians who made it happen should be questioning the merits of the information they received and the reliability of the racing identities that provided same.
Aided and abetted by their ‘mates in the media’ coverage was provided that had even the stable cat calling for the blood of the Bob Bentley Board. Day One of the White Inquiry provided a clear indication of what might lie ahead when much of the propaganda that had been pedalled about the track builder Contour Constructions was revealed to be highly sensationalized. But did we even then read a clarification or correction in the mainstream media – no way.
The former directors of RQ, headed by Bob Bentley and Tony Hanmer, issued a Media Release late last week confirming that ASIC had ruled they had ‘no case to answer’ in relation to matters referred to it by the White Commission on Inquiry in June last year.
It was left to Peter Cameron in an exclusive in The Sunday Mail to inform the racing industry and followers of what had happened. Still not a whimper from The Courier Mail, the publication that led the charge with its sensational headlines about the Bentley Board, some of its key administrative staff and links to Contour Constructions.
The former directors are entitles to suggest ‘there are now serious questions to be asked about the circumstances surrounding the calling of the White Commission of Inquiry by the former LNP Government at the request of former Racing Minister Steve Dickson and current Racing Queensland Chairman Kevin Dixon.’
Why wouldn’t they feel aggrieved and want some justice – and one might ask what role former Treasurer Tim Nicholls, who seemed to have the remote controls with Racing Minister Steve ‘a furlong in front’ Dickson, played in all of this. One suspects, in view of his closeness to RQ boss, Little King Kev Dixon, that it wasn’t a cameo appearance.
One high profile lawyer that I have spoken to believes that the actions need to be investigated – to determine whether these amount to offences under the Public Service Act – as at the time RQ was a unit of public administration. We're still waiting to hear a response on the Bentley Board clearance from Kevin Dixon - as one would expect nothing but deadly silence. Perhaps his radio jock mate can put a spin on it in the Monday Arselickers some time soon.
This whole messy affair should be debated on the floor of the House with questions asked of Dickson and Nicholls and as for the other Dixon, well, the sooner the Commission of Inquiry into Greyhound Racing hands down its decision and dispenses with the services of he and some of his cohorts at RQ, the better for all concerned, except of course his close mates in the industry.
What all these inquiries have proven is that a clean out is needed at the top of the three racing codes in Queensland and a whole set of new, INDEPEDENT, faces need to be appointed to run the show – not to mention some major changes in the administration and integrity fields.’
THREE RACING INQUIRIES HAVE NOW COST QUEENSLAND CLOSE TO $20 MILLION 
ALAN STAINES of SUNSHINE COAST writes:
‘THREE waste of time Inquiries over the past decade or so have now cost the racing industry and taxpayers of Queensland close to $20 million.
Imagine if someone had suggested the Government of the day contribute that much extra to prizemoney in the north – they would have been declared out of order.
This all started with what proved to be a farce – the Shanahan Inquiry in 2004 – then came the Daubney Rafter Inquiry in 2005 – the less said about it the better – and now we have had another – the White Inquiry – which also failed to get off the launch pad.
One would hope that the Macsporran Commission of Inquiry into Greyhound Racing proves far more effective. One would imagine with the ammunition at its disposal if some heads at the top don’t role the public will be asking some very serious questions.
As former directors of the Bob Bentley Board pointed out in a Media Release:
‘THE astounding common thread through all three racing inquiries is that despite the same people and journalists continually agitating issues, there has not been a single positive outcome that earned the industry one dollar. Their allegations have come to nothing but have cost the industry and the state of Queensland a fortune.’
My friends and I were among those who weren’t prepared to give the Bentley Board the benefit of the doubt and there was plenty they did that we still will never agree with. One thing they are right about is that it is now time for proven integrity, consultation and fiscal responsibility to again drive the racing industry forward.’
‘SOMEONE NEEDS TO ANSWER IF MISLEADING EVIDENCE WAS PRESENTED TO INQUIRY’ 
BILL WHITEHOUSE, an occasional contributor to the WHINGE, sent this email:
‘STUNNED, is the way I felt after reading The Sunday Mail.
Bentley and Ludwig and others have nothing to answer and the claim is a lack of evidence.
I am sorry – but something is wrong here.
I followed, on and off, the White Inquiry and there can’t be a lack of evidence, surely not.
The media led us to believe these blokes were going to jail. The Commission went forever and I see it cost $7 million. Something is drastically wrong.
During the Commission, Racing Queensland submitted numerous, lengthy submissions that seemed to go on forever. The Racing Queensland CEO at the time, Adam Carter, could compile all the dirt he dumped into a lengthy novel. I recall consultants were called in to add weight to his allegations.
There was also a company that got a couple of hundred million dollars of work and apparently none of it went to tender. Staff had illegal contracts and there was also hundreds of millions that the industry is owed from a Tatt’s Agreement.
After a $7 million dollar Inquiry, and with ASIC dropping everything, some serious questions now must be asked of those from within the former Government who called the Inquiry and those at Racing Queensland who tendered evidence.
If it is found that the Inquiry was without justification and, or, officers have tendered false or misleading evidence, those responsible should face the full effect of the law.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: THE moral of the story is don’t believe everything you read in the mainstream racing media and even when things are corrected – as they were at the Inquiry on the first day in relation to that company that allegedly got hundreds of millions of dollars (which was fairytale stuff), there was no correction of the wrong facts presented. Certain aspects of changes to audits and whatever – that is being alleged – need to be investigated further and if these are correct action needs to be taken against those responsible. This cannot be swept under the carpet. It is far too serious.
‘LITTLE KING KEV’ CLININGING TO LAST SHREAD OF LNP HOPE TO RETAIN JOB? 
BRETT WINTEC, a long-time critic of the current RQ administration, has weighed into the latest debate with this contribution:
‘I witnessed RQ supremo Kevin Dixon in town last week and it appeared he may have been catching up with his old LNP mate, Tim Nichols (former Treasurer).
I would have thought that he would have been catching up with (new Treasurer) Curtis Pitt and (Racing Minister) Bill Byrne to thank them for saving his arse with the Eagle Farm fiasco. But from what I can ascertain he slipped in to see his old mate Tim.
This had the rumor mill suggesting that he is resigned to his fate with Labor, and his only chance of avoiding the sack after the Macsporran Report being a change of Government.
I witnessed Bill Byrne on Landline recently and he appears to be a well-schooled, level headed individual with a broad knowledge base.
I would suggest to Mr Dixon that his time may be better spent meeting with Bill Byrne than hanging around his old mates, especially with rumors emanating from within the LNP that he and (RQ financial officer) Adam Carter have a lot to answer for with regards to the fiasco that was ‘the White Inquiry’.
Apparently, some in the LNP hierarchy are filthy that it appears they may have been misled in regards to Bob Bentley and his team, which reportedly has been supported by ASIC.
Interesting times ahead and many can’t wait until 1 June 2015!
On the other hand a few wish Macsporran had requested an extension to prolong their agony, or perhaps, provide more time for shredding.’
‘THE OLD QTC BRIGADE HAVE GONE VERY SILENT ON THEIR TWO-BIT BLOG SITES’ 
JAMES SMITH of BRISBANE sent this email:
‘THE old QTC brigade who hide behind non de plumes on a local two-bit blog site have been mighty quiet since the announcement that Bentley and his crew have been cleared by ASIC.
These clowns have thrown plenty of rocks over the past few years, but there has been deadly silence since Peter Cameron broke the news on Sunday that the former Board had been cleared.
These lads might be concerned that their days with their noses in the trough at the Committee rooms throughout South-East Queensland might be coming to an end.
It certainly looks as though these racing dinosaurs are headed for extinction with Labor now well and truly entrenched for the next three years and the likelihood that Kev and Darren won’t be there after Alan Macsporran releases his report.
I bet Bob Bentley’s phone lit up on Sunday from those ship-jumpers who quickly transitioned after the 2012 election.
There have been a few reports that the ASIC clearance is perfect timing to enable his return after Kev is shown the door.
I am a passionate greyhound stakeholder and I can’t wait for his return. At least he supported our code after its years of neglect in preference to the red-hots.’
‘PERISH THE THOUGHT OF THE RETURN OF BOB GIBBS AS RQ CHAIRMAN’ 
BUT this email suggests the industry doesn’t want a bar of a return to the ‘good or bad’ old days – depending on which side of the racing political fence you may sit.
‘AS I am well-known in racing circles and a proud supporter of the former QTC I would ask that you do not reveal my identity but still run the thoughts of myself and my friends:
My friends and I were great supporters of the old Queensland Turf Club administration and believe that racing in this state has never been the same since they lost control.
Some may not have liked the way they ruled with a iron fist but at least things ran smoothly and there weren’t the political shenanigans that have occurred ever since Government took control.
We have been alarmed in more recent times to hear strong rumors that the Racing Minister responsible for disbanding the QTC in Bob Gibbs could be appointed to run racing. Perish the thought! Do these no-hopers now running Government, albeit by a minority, not realize the old wounds that would be opened by such an appointment?
It would be political suicide for racing.
Now we all know that Peter Cameron, who your website continually refers to as a ‘respected columnist’, remains close to Bob Bentley (just read what he writes in The Sunday Mail – one suspects Builder Bob writes it for him). And we all know how close he is to the former Racing Minister. They are often seen back slapping each other in a popular watering hole near the Story Bridge.
Letsgohorseracing continually labels Nathan Exelby as the ‘spin doctor’ for RQ at The Courier-Mail and unfairly criticizes David Fowler for his wonderful interviews with RQ Chairman Kevin Dixon. Might we ask where you stand on the possible appointment of Bob Gibbs, considering your background with that esteemed gentleman?
Can you imagine the scene if Gibbs was to be appointed Chairman of Racing Queensland?
It would be jobs for the boys. Would we see a return of Dr Dolittle to a key role – heaven forbid? Would Michael Kelly and Michael Duff be running the Government Racing Department – the latter and his family would have to change their political shirts after reportedly running with Kevin Dixon for the past couple of years. And would Cameron become the new ‘Spin Doctor’ for all communications out of RQ.
Ah yes, many of us haven’t forgotten the days of Gibbs as Racing Minister or those who he listened to when implementing key policy. ‘Nifty’ Neville Stewart would no doubt have a key role. I am sure he could find a place for Bob the Builder and a few others in the group that we all thought were ‘yesterday’s men’.
And if you think we are kicking up for Kevin Dixon and great fans of this – then think again. In our opinion the way he and his cronies have run the show has disappointed us greatly. Too many favorites, too many bad decisions, not enough action on the integrity front as evidenced by this greyhound debacle and too many people in administrative positions that seem to be out of their depth.
The final nail in the Dixon coffin as far as we are concerned was his ‘push’ for this latest Commission of Inquiry which has left so much egg on the faces of so many good people in the LNP Government. For that, we agree for once with you and your website, the time has come for little King Kev to fall on his sword.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: IN answer to your question what do I think of the rumors that Bob Gibbs will be appointed Racing Queensland Chairman if, or should I say when, Kevin Dixon is shown the door. There are suggestions that the factions in the Labor Government will direct new Racing Minister Bill Byrne who to appoint. I guess they are talking about the influence that Bill Ludwig and Terry Mackenroth might wield. That’s an insult to Mr Byrne who I am told is his own man and won’t be influenced by any faction or individual within the industry. I am sure the outcome of the Greyhound Commission of Inquiry will have a major bearing on what happens to the RQ current hierarchy. But I would doubt he will revisit the past and risk opening old wounds in the industry. I do not know nor have I spoken to Bill Byrne but I am told he is working hard behind the scenes to ensure he gets the right people to do the job – those who are independent, free of racing skeletons and political influences – that can lead the industry out of the unhealthy situation it finds itself now in whether the supporters of Kevin Dixon want to admit it or not. The name Bill Lenehan has started to echo in the racing corridors.
A STORY YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED IN THE MAINSTREAM RACING MEDIA 
BRENDAN CORMICK reports in THE AUSTRALIAN that SEVEN WEST MEDIA and Tabcorp’s Sky Racing will make their final presentations later this week as the race for Victorian racing’s broadcast rights enters the final furlong.
It is anticipated that the presentations will be made on Thursday to representatives of the Racing Victoria board, representing Country Racing Victoria and the three metropolitan clubs.
The representatives will then report to their respective boards and committees. A decision on the network that will carry racing’s pictures under the new rights deal is expected as early as next week.
Under the joint venture agreement between the racing industry and Tabcorp, Sky Racing 1 (Channel 519 on Foxtel) will screen all Victorian thoroughbred races into homes of pay TV subscribers, TAB and pub TAB outlets. Sky is bidding for international, digital and domestic rights that would permit Victorian racing to be shown on Thoroughbred Racing Central, which showcases NSW racing on Channel 521.
They are willing to pay in the order of $30 million a year for the rights package, the big windfall for the TAB subsidiary in on-selling the vision for simulcasting in other wagering markets around the globe.
Seven West Media, which already televises 26 feature race meetings into homes on free-to-air channels, will have a dedicated channel on the network’s digital platform if its bid is successful.
Costing the Victorian stakeholders an estimated $10m in establishment, plus another $2m in costs associated with staffing the Olympic standard coverage in front and behind the cameras, the earning opportunities for the partners can vastly exceed previous income during the life of the contract.
In the coming season, there will be more night racing than previously gazetted. As well as meetings at Moonee Valley and Cranbourne, lights will come online at the new Pakenham racecourse next January. Night meetings will swell the number of days that two race meetings (one day, one night) occur.
If whispers can be believed, it is possible two gallops cards could become the daily fare, some days featuring day meetings that run parallel to each other.
Racing has been slow, if not plain reluctant, to embrace change over recent decades, though it seems the groundswell indicates there will be broad acceptance from participants if the powers that be go with Seven West Media.
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.
