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MAILBOX INUNDATED WITH GRIPES ABOUT DART APPOINTMENT
THE mailbox this week was inundated with gripes targeting Racing Queensland over the surprise appointment of Jamie Dart as Acting Head of Integrity. Here is a sample but there were many more, some too hot even for the Wednesday Whinge to handle:
HEAD OF INTEGRITY REWARDED FOR HIS DILIGENCE AT THE GREYHOUNDS? 
ALBERT WILLIAMS, of REDCLIFFE, a ‘regular contributor’, sent this interesting email on the latest debacle to engulf Racing Queensland:
‘NOTHING that happens in racing in Queensland surprises me anymore.
And so it came to pass that the steward in charge of greyhounds at the time of the ‘live baiting’ scandal was subsequently rewarded for his diligence by being promoted to the Head of Integrity for the entire industry.
It almost sounds like a bad joke and would indeed be funny if it wasn’t so serious. Little wonder the industry in Queensland continues to be the laughing stock of Australian racing. This promotion sounds like something that the former Racing Minister ‘furlong in front’ Steve Dickson would have done.
But we are now in the hands of the minority Labor Government and a new Racing Minister in Bill Byrne who has been commended for his no-nonsense approach and determination to get the industry back on track. This is hardly a good start.
Now no-one is questioning Jamie Dart’s ability as a steward but was this important position – whether it be acting or not – advertised, or simply filled on the recommendation of Detective Superintendent Mark Ainsworth, who was seconded to RQ as Integrity Advisor but has returned on assignment to the Queensland Police Force.
Superintendent Ainsworth might have been the mastermind in bringing Baden Clay to justice in that infamous case that attracted national headlines but might one suggest when it comes to racing he is a babe in the wood?
Stories emanating from the Public Service and Deagon Bunker suggest that police who were keen to join the new-look Integrity structure are no longer as interested since learning that the same superannuation sweeteners do not exist at RQ.
Does this mean that Ainsworth will not be back to the Head of Integrity job and Dart will simply roll over into that important job without any applications being called to see if a high profile steward or integrity identity is interested.
Chances are people like Terry Bailey, the Chief Steward at Racing Victoria, who was once considered a good prospect, is now running like hell, especially after hearing the news that RQ is likely to relicense his old sparring partner Dan Nicolic to ride here when NSW and Victoria don’t seem to want him.
Dart won friends with the Ainsworth team and the new people calling the shots at RQ for a lot of right reasons. It seems he was hamstrung in trying to do his job properly by certain individuals formerly in prominent positions at RQ who are no longer there.
His appointment, even in an acting capacity, hasn’t been greeted with a great deal of support from some colleagues, not to mention the industry questions being asked about the pay packet if it remains the same as Wade Birch, which is outrageous in the current financial climate confronting racing in Queensland.’
RQ WARNED OF ‘BLOOD ON ITS HANDS’ IF DART MAINTAINS THE GREYOUND RAGE 
A PROMINENT and PASSIONATE GREYHOUND OWNER and SUPPORTER has pleaded with us to run this email but for obvious reasons has to remain anonymous:
'I don’t wish to be alarmist but a few things need to be said from a greyhound industry perspective following the elevation of Jamie Dart to acting Head of Integrity for all three codes of racing in Queensland.
Those running the show at RQ need to be aware that in the opinion of many they will end up with blood on their hands having created a steward masquerading as a monster who is drunk with power.
I know of several prominent greyhound trainers who are suicidal at present because of the pressure that they are being placed under by Mr Dart in his heartless, unsympathetic use of judicial powers which is making their lives an endless misery.
I am not exaggerating when I warn that the seriousness of his relentless attacks on those already under pressure and facing little or no future in the greyhound industry has many questioning the legal process in this State and asking whether these trainers are being denied basic rights.
When submissions from a veteran form analyst with over 30 years of experience concerning video evidence of alleged ‘live baiting’ are ruled inadmissible there is something wrong with the judicial process.
One wonders if Mr Dart will maintain the rage and adopt a similar approach when he is dealing in his new role with licensees at the gallops and trots – or are these questionable tactics being simply saved for the supposed ‘low-lifes’ at the dogs that no-one cares about any more.
Plenty have the impression that he is just gaining Brownie Points by the day with those who count and that has already paid dividends with Superintendant Ainsworth handing over the Integrity reins to Dart with a glowing endorsement of his stewarding prowess despite the fact that he was Chairman of Stewards at Greyhounds Queensland when the 'live baiting' scandal erupted.
CAN WE READ SOMETHING INTO DEPARTURE OF HIGH PROFILE COP FROM RQ? 
SAM LARCOMBE of the SUNSHINE COAST sent this email:
‘SO Superintendant Mark Ainsworth has to leave RQ and go back to police duties because he is the only one capable of doing a job the Queensland Police Service need done.
I think there may be more to this story!
There are over 10,000 police officers in Queensland and I suspect one or two of these could do the job he is going back to do.
Perhaps it is more likely that he has finally realized the basket case that RQ is, the lack of leadership and talent in the current management structure and does not want his reputation tarnished by having anything to do with the train-wreck that is coming.
Spies at Deagon tell me that Ian ‘short-haul’ Hall got the ‘facts’ at a recent RQ staff meeting – and about time. Hall is just another in a long line of racing administrators who have nothing to lose if the Queensland racing industry implodes overnight.
Hall gets paid regardless of how the industry performs. He is like the old race club committeemen, who for years have used racing as a play-thing for their own enjoyment. Most of them are businessmen, lawyers, accountants and the like who, if racing ceased tomorrow, would not suffer any financial impact whatsoever. The only pain they would feel is having to go to golf on a Saturday afternoon rather than downing free grog and food in the rarefied confines of the committee room (subsidized out of club administration grants made by RQ out of our industry funds). These silver tails are in a very different position to the thousands of people who actually rely on racing for their primary income – people with limited other options to earn a quid.
It seems ‘short haul’ broke the news to the Deagon staff that he has appointed Jamie Dart as the Acting General Manager of Stewarding and Head of Integrity. Is this the same person who was the greyhound code Chairman of Stewards and presided over the code when ‘live baiting’ was flourishing? If so, Minsiter Bill Byrne should be more than a bit concerned with the decisions being made at RQ under ‘short haul’s leadership.
Just imagine ‘short haul’ and the ‘retired judge’ down at the ARB meeting fighting for Queensland’s black type race allocations. I doubt they even know how these premier races are allocated and even if they did they would be eaten alive by John Messara and the boys down south.
But to be fair, it’s not really their fault – they have no racing knowledge, no understanding of how the industry operates or what the success drivers really are.
Why they think they can do the jobs they have taken on is mystifying as they are not stupid men and one would have thought that they would be self-aware enough to recognize their lack of knowledge and shortcomings when it comes to the racing industry.
Why Minister Byrne won’t seek some advice from the Bentley-era Board mystifies many in the industry. This Board generated profits year after year, managed the Equine Influenza crisis superbly, grew Queensland’s share of wagering revenue, rebuilt regional facilities after natural disasters and delivered sustainable prize money increases across the three codes of racing.
Most of us know that ‘King Kev’ and ‘furlong in front’ Steve were disasters for the industry. However, Minister Byrne can only blame them for the past. He controls the future of our industry and that light in the tunnel is a train approaching at a great rate of knots.
Even if Bill Byrne won’t bring some members of the Bentley Board back in a caretaker capacity to sort out the current mess he should be smart enough to pick up the phone and get some advice from Bob because he is one of the few racing administrators in Australia who has a proven track record of turning around the financial position of both a major race club and a racing control body.
When RQ took over from the old QPC in the early 2000’s, Queensland racing was a mess and Bob got it back on track in less than 12 months with the help of an expert Board.
Bentley may not be everyone’s cup of tea but his skills are unquestionable. He was the Chair of the ARB, Deputy Chair of the Asian Racing Federation and so successful as a breeder that he was paid to stay out of the sector and not compete with the big boys down south – not a bad CV compared to ‘short haul’.’
DOES THE PROMOTION OF JAMIE DART HIGHLIGHT RQ DOUBLE STANDARDS? 
GLEN DAVIDSON of GOLD COAST writes:
‘THE set of double standards adopted by the powers-that-be at Racing Queensland in promoting Jamie Dart to acting Head of Integrity has stunned the industry.
The two main questions that someone – from the Interim CEO Ian Hall to Racing Minister Bill Byrne – needs to answer are these:
How could they possibly appoint the Chairman of Stewards of Greyhound Racing Queensland at the time of the ‘live baiting’ scandal to the highest integrity job of all three codes, not to mention justify that decision after sacking Wade Birch from that important role?
And how can they justify paying Dart a salary, reportedly the same as Birch and in the range of $340,000 a year, when the industry is in such dire states and the appointment is said to be an acting one?
With all due respects to the stewarding ability of Jamie Dart, which, apart from his role at the head of greyhounds during its darkest hour in Queensland, hasn’t been brought into question, is this a good look for the racing industry in the north?
EDITOR’S NOTE: BEFORE we start condemning Jamie Dart because he has been fortunate enough to be promoted on the recommendation of Superintendant Ainsworth, let’s see what sort of job he does. This ‘feet under the table’ mentality that seems to have festered under Wade Birch and Alan Reardon has seen punters big and small walk away from betting on racing in Queensland. The lack of action, or more to the point ‘Fawlty Towers’ situation with what ‘cobalt’ swabbing has occurred in the north has done nothing to improve the profile or image of the integrity of racing in Queensland. It’s at rock bottom. Dart doesn’t have to do much to regain some confidence in this area. Here’s his chance as the new Head of Integrity. We will be watching with interest.
HAS ANOTHER SWABBING BALLS-UP BEEN SWEPT UNDER THE CARPET BY RQ? 
FROM a PROMINENT SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND TRAINER who, for obvious reasons, wishes to remain anonymous:
‘HAS there been another major balls-up with swabbing in racing in Queensland?
That’s the word behind the scenes and from those in the know within the Deagon bunker.
Story goes there have been irregularities in TCO2 swabs. Results for the month of August cannot be accessed on the RQ website. These are there for July but when you try to log onto August a message comes up stating an error has occurred while processing your request - more like they have been removed deliberately.
It seems a bit unusual when the horses tested in September are named with unknown results as these take up to three weeks to verify yet the entire month of August cannot be obtained.
There is also talk of a prominent trainer receiving a positive to TCO2 who now looks to be off the hook - or that's what stable insiders are claiming.
If this is correct, what the hell is going on with swabbing in racing in Queensland?
Perhaps this is a good opportunity for the newly appointed – albeit acting – Head of Integrity to clear the air.
Those of us who are doing the right thing at the coalface feel we are suffering at the expense of others who aren’t – but remain undetected.
How about a fair go, Mr Dart?’
ARE THERE TOO MANY SKELETONS IN THE CLOSER IN NSW COBALT SAGA? 
CAMPBELL QUIRK of MELBOURNE sent this interesting email:
‘VICTORIA might have its cobalt problems but at least there are no question marks about proceedings and all those who should have to front up have been required to do so no matter how big a profile they have.
But it seems in NSW there has been some hesitation as highlighted in this opinion article by highly respected media personality Shane Anderson on the Racing Victoria website, racing.com, which is worthy of reproducing.
It raises questions that the Chief Steward of Racing NSW, Ray Murrihy, needs to answer and so do some of the other officials when it comes to alleged information relayed by his son-in-law Greg Rudolph on cobalt integrity issues to brother, Matt, the ATC official in strife over his Kavanagh connection.
Cobalt is the common factor that is causing problems for the image of racing in the two big States with some big training names to the fore in Victoria but haven’t some interesting identities been dragged from the sidelines onto the field of play in NSW. Perhaps some others should join them.
You read the article below and be the judge of that:
THE long-running investigations by Racing NSW Stewards into cobalt breaches have unearthed extraordinary evidence, especially in relation to the Sam Kavanagh case.
Kavanagh has been found guilty in 23 of 24 charges and faces a long time on the sidelines when Stewards rule against him, likely to be many years.
Vet Dr Tom Brennan, found guilty in all 12 charges, along with colleague Aaron Corby, guilty on one charge, also have career-threatening ramifications to come.
Mitchell Butterfield, John Camilleri and Michael O’Loughlin will also all likely face suspensions from racing for their involvement.
High ranking ATC executive Matt Rudolph has faced a show-cause hearing to determine whether he can still have a career in racing, and that case still has further to go.
Now, racing media identity Brent Zerafa joins the list.
Racing NSW Stewards found Zerafa guilty of conduct prejudicial to the image of racing after a series of text messages showed information being passed on by Camilleri to Zerafa about the Kavanagh trained Palazzo Pubblico prior to her winning at Randwick on January 17.
Zerafa, working for TVN that day as a horse assessor, failed to provide insight to the public about the horse yet backed it anyway.
The series of text messages between the pair make for fascinating reading, as does the timeline:
At approximately 1.10pm, Camilleri text Zerafa with:
JC: Wonder who’s been help Kav (Mr Sam Kavanagh) for the past 5 weeks
JC: I’ve been helping him …
JC: Watch Palazzo in Race 3
Zerafa, when providing assessment of the horses in the mounting yard for Race 3 on TVN at approximately 2.10pm, promoted I Am Zelady, the stablemate of Palazzo Pubblico, as his best of the yard ahead of Rule The River, making no mention of Palazzo Pubblico.
He then placed a wager of $200 with Betstar on Palazzo Pubblico at odds of $6 at approximately 2.20pm, with the odds of the horse having shortened considerably since he received the text message from Camilleri.
Palazzo Pubblico won the race.
Then, from 2.26pm, the text messages resumed:
JC: Shhhheeee tell them to back when there short
BZ: Like how I threw off in the yard??
BZ: Couldn’t stop the train
JC: I knew
JC: Don’t say a word the best is yet to come …
JC: Don’t say nothing to no1 please
BZ: Won’t. All sweet
JC: These galloping c*@s have to wake up a week b4 to outsmart us trotting grubs
Stewards argued that Zerafa is a part-owner of a racehorse named Elle Snitz and was bound by the Rules of Racing. The fact that he was in the mounting yard on a race day added to their authority.
They found him guilty.
So, if text messages can lead Zerafa to a guilty verdict, what about a voice message?
During the Matt Rudolph show-cause hearing in front of Racing NSW, evidence was tabled that his brother Greg – Racing NSW Deputy Chairman of Stewards – had left a voicemail with Matt on February 25.
"Give us a ring for the mail on cobalt," the voicemail said.
Greg Rudolph is also the son-in-law of Racing NSW Chairman of Stewards Ray Murrihy.
Why would a leading member of Racing NSW’s integrity team be passing on information regarding investigations about cobalt? When will this be addressed by Racing NSW?
Whether the information was harmless gossip or an utter breach of process needs to be addressed and not swept under the carpet.
Racing NSW Stewards have done a thorough and detailed job of investigating the cobalt scandal, no one can deny that.
That must extend to dealing with perceptions of their own team and behaviours throughout the whole process.
I hope that is as thorough and detailed.
I would just like to make one final point on the Zerafa debate. If it is ruled on appeal that the stewards had no power in dealing with him as an owner when he was doing his work in the racing media then he should be dealt with by SKY Channel. Whether he was working for TVN or not when this occurred, the fact remains that from a punters' viewpoint text messages highlight how he treated them like crap without any respect at all and for that he should pay a price.'
IT SEEMS DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR DESPERATE MEASURES BY DANNY O’BRIEN .gif)
MERV CONNOR of GOLD COAST writes:
‘TALK about desperate times calling for desperate measures. Trainer Danny O’Brien has to be scrapping the bottom of the barrel in his fight against multiple cobalt charges when he questions why fellow trainer David Hayes’ wife is permitted to be on the Board of Racing Victoria.
Reportedly, in a social media exchange with (Victoria) Racing Minister Martin Pakula, O'Brien said: “Time to turn your attention to RV board. Trainers’ wives suitable members?”# Governance issue.
Is it a coincidence that O’Brien would make this scathing and unacceptable attack on someone who most regard as an innocent by-stander simply because David Hayes handed over to RVL stewards a small parcel incorrectly sent to him by a Melbourne vet?
Apparently – if news reports on inquiries made by stewards are correct – the controversial parcel should have gone to Mr O’Brien. He claimed they were ‘vitamins’ and had cost him $3,000.
As sad as it may be for the few, the very few, that have been caught up in this affair, the damage amongst families, between previous best mates and work colleagues will leave a permanent scar on the industry.
For O’Brien, one of the few with their fingers allegedly caught in the ‘cobalt till’, his outburst regarding the wife of a fellow trainer being on the RVL Board is the dizzy limit from where I sit.
She must be a great salesperson to be able to dominate the RVL Board – a Board made up of folk with both skill and/or egos.
O’Brien’s skills as a trainer can be best gauged from his win of the 2013 Cox Plate with the Maiden runner (after nine starts) Shamus Award. A terrific achievement in anyone’s language.
But setting to one side O’Brien’s disappointment in the roll Mrs Hayes’ husband played in lighting the Cobalt furnace, I do not think he is justified in attacking her.
Like his newfound friend in trainer Peter Moody I am wondering if O’Brien is beginning to ‘protestith too much’?’
WHAT’S THE POINT OF HAVING THE TECHNOLOGY IF NOTHING HAPPENS? 
DOUG JONES of BRISBANE sent this email:
‘IT doesn’t matter how much new technology is available to stewards, if they don’t do anything about the information it provides then what’s the point?
I see where Racing NSW stewards are hoping to use a drone to provide overhead footage, usually only available during carnival time, at every meeting of the year.
Now they will be able to see front, centre and from above how some of Sydney’s best jockeys slaughter some top hopes from time to time.
Let’s see what they do about it and here’s hoping it’s a bit more than the accepted explanations that punters are sick of hearing.
It’s a pity they are so short of chips in the north as it would certainly help the stewards out in Queensland where punters often joke that on some days even the seeing-eye dog with the guy collecting for the blind at the gate would have a better chance of spotting a ‘dead-un’.
STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED IN THE MAINSTREAM RACING MEDIA
HONG KONG RACING OFF TO ANOTHER RECORD FOR NEW SEASON
THE sun shone down on Hong Kong racing’s 2015/16 season opener last Sunday as more than 72,000 racing fans turned out on course and turnover rose to a new high for the day of HK$1.147 billion.
“We are satisfied with what we view as being a more than resilient start to the season,” said Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer.
“Turnover is up by 1% on this day last year, but the key thing to note is that in 2014 we had a 10% jump in turnover on the previous year. To achieve this level under the very difficult economic circumstances is really satisfying and we are delighted.”
High late summer temperatures did not dissuade Hong Kong’s throng of passionate racing fans from attending the 10-race season opener, which featured the Class 1 Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive’s Cup.
“Attendance was a little bit down but it was still the second-highest attendance in the past 20 years, despite the warm weather, so this was more than we were hoping for,” said the CEO.
“This shows the attractiveness of our racing product, and the value of the investment we have made through our marketing initiatives, and our customers are obviously very keen to participate.”
The 10-race card was a triumph for Champion Jockey Joao Moreira and past 13-time champion Douglas Whyte, both of whom rode a treble, while the day’s feature went to I’m In Charge for jockey Matthew Chadwick and trainer Caspar Fownes.
Two new faces in the Hong Kong jockeys’ room also both enjoyed a positive opening to the season as Chad Schofield kicked off with a winner and new apprentice Kei Chiong, the first female rider to be licensed in Hong Kong in 15 years, went close.
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.
