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 TIME THE INDUSTRY BOYCOTTED THESE OPPORTUNISTS OF QLD RACING’ 
ALBERT WILLIAMS, of REDCLIFFE, a regular contributor of the WEDNESDAY WHINGE, fires both barrels at three of the industry’s biggest players:
‘IT’S about time the stakeholders, the punters and the industry in general boycotted three of the major ‘opportunists’ of racing in Queensland – SKY Channel, UBET and the Magic Millions.
If you think I am being a shade harsh in my description of these high profile organizations - some would risk calling them parasites - then just answer this question: How much does each return for what they are receiving from racing in the Queensland?
The answer in the opinion of many is a resounding next to nothing or at best far too little.
SKY Channel’s contempt for the loyalty that RQ and its clubs have delivered for years is nothing short of disgusting. It’s time the stakeholders called on the powers-that-be to remind SKY that deal exclusivity does not give them the right to provide a second rate broadcast service.
That is the hand that racing in Queensland seems to have been dealt. There is certainly selectiveness in the coverage that SKY provides at present. Major provincial clubs in NSW are being given the red carpet treatment of a Saturday at the expense of Brisbane racing and something needs to be done to correct that situation right away. Of course the NSW deal would have been brokered by Peter V'landys who many in Victoria believe helped orchestrate the demise of TVN.
There will be no on the ground ‘hosting and interview’ coverage by SKY of Townsville Cup day – arguably the biggest provincial meeting outside the south-east corner – unlike the picnic meeting at Deagon last Sunday (and good luck to them) which was shown on Sky2.
What a pity the clubs in Queensland cannot jump ship to the far more professional broadcast service now being provided by the Seven Network, in conjunction with Racing Victoria, that is being shown on free-to-air and Foxtel.
UBET, the beneficiary of arguably one of the worst racing deals ever done in this country, continues to milk the industry in Queensland dry of profits through the parent company, Tattersalls. One only has to read the finer details in the discussion paper on Racing Reforms in Queensland to question how such a ‘dud’ deal could have been allowed to occur.
It did, of course, over the ‘dead bodies’ of All Code Board members Barry Taylor (the deputy chairman) and Brad Steele (harness racing) who resigned in protest at lack of consultation from Kevin Dixon who some would argue was doing the bidding for then Treasurer Tim Nicholls and Racing Minister ‘furlong in front’ Steve Dickson.
Labor should launch an inquiry into why UBET got a 30-year deal when it should have been five (as the two Board members that were forced out wanted), an unbelievable 80 per cent of CPI increases (that just doesn’t happen) and, of course, a discontinuation of a court action by RQ against Tattersall’s which could have cost them tens of millions.
Robbie Cooke and his cohorts at Tattersall's wiped the floor with their RQ negotiators yet the industry continued to be told, by the then media mates of the Dixon cronies, what a wonderful deal had been done. And UBET, having benefitted by a small fortune from this deal that should be overturned, has reportedly refused to even pay a pittance for signage at the Townsville Turf Club. What a joke!
Then we have the good old Magic Millions, who, it has been revealed, are receiving $5 million a year of industry funds under a sweetheart deal backed by RQ and supported by the LNP Government of the day for their January block-buster. The industry deserves a full breakdown on this record prizemoney and just how much is actually being contributed by Magic Millions.
Conscience must have got the better of ‘Genial Gerry’ and his crew. I see where they are helping support the revamped Queensland Racing Awards. No doubt they would be throwing into the bin little more than a few spilt bottles of Moet from one of their functions in the New Year.
And to think even the new Labor Government seems to have swallowed this crap about the economic impact that the Magic Millions carnival has on the Gold Coast and Queensland economy. Do they really believe that the crowds flocking to the tourist strip over the holiday period each new year are just coming for a horse race and sales? Give us a break!
So there you have it – the three ‘opportunists’ that are benefitting the most from racing in Queensland. If you lined them up in a three-horse race they would finish a ‘furlong in front’ in taking but a dead-heat 'furlong behind' when it comes to ‘giving back’.
Perhaps, as time goes by, a fourth member could be added to the group – in KPMG. They are certainly milking the racing industry of millions in Queensland – as the financial roller coaster continues its downward spiral.
I could mention the two men from UNCLE RQ who graced the Amateurs with their presence for the carnival in Cairns last weekend. They were the butt of many jokes from insiders – especially the German – but that’s another story.
And by the way who did foot the ball for all those free-loaders who headed north for the Cairns junket? Next port of call for the crew is Longreach. Even the TAB betting truck which made its way to Cairns will by-pass Townsville to stop off at Longreach on the return journey.
One way or the other the industry is paying for all of this and sadly not every club is benefitting from the supposed investment. It's time UBET provided a few answers. But before that can happen someone from the mainstream racing media has to ask the questions. Don't hold your breath waiting for Captain Cookie's spin doctor to step up to the plate.'
‘SKY CHANNEL A SICK JOKE IF YOU HAPPEN TO LIVE OUTSIDE NSW’
BRIAN LOCKWOOD of BRISBANE sent this email: 
‘SKY Channel has degenerated to the stage where it is now nothing more than a sick joke for anyone who follows racing outside of Sydney and NSW.
The time has come for the rival states – spearheaded by Victoria and Queensland – to join forces, stage a massive protest vote and threaten to jump ship.
SKY might think they have contracts which lock these states outside of NSW into their broadcast rights but that does not entitle them to treat the ‘outsiders’ like crap. Lawyers should be engaged by rival states to look at breach of contract.
It’s hard for SKY to suggest that Queensland racing or its clubs, in particular, loyal partners for so long, are getting what it paid for or expected to be delivered in race broadcasting.
Brisbane Saturday meetings are playing second fiddle every weekend to some run of the mill, second rate provincial meeting that supports the Sydney fixture. The coverage is over the top and despite the protests and promises Brisbane continues to get a below par deal.
With the new Seven deal in Melbourne and that Channel now on Foxtel as well as free-to-air surely there is an opportunity awaiting. They are struggling to fill the space with only the Victorian meetings to cover. Imagine if they had a back-up from Queensland.
If SKY isn’t interested in providing premium coverage for the big dollars the industry in Queensland is paying only to see it wasted on boof-heads promoting NSW’s second tier meetings, then perhaps Racing Queensland or the clubs most affected should look into linking with Seven. They certainly could do no worse than what is happening at present.
We keeping hearing how the Brisbane Racing Club isn’t happy, about the assurances they get from SKY every time there is a problem but the band-aid cure seems to last a couple of weeks before the problem surfaces again.
Neville Bell, chairman of the BRC, is a nice bloke but if they continue to crap in his face they might see the tougher, business side of a passionate racing man who isn’t going to sit idly by while his club, its supporters and the industry in Queensland are taken for fools by those calling the shots at SKY.
One only has to look at a couple of situations at SKY. They saw fit to provide the Cairns Amateurs with wall to wall coverage but the same cannot be said for the up-coming Townsville Cup carnival which will not only feature better racing than Cairns but also highlight the opening of the new track.
The reason SKY is providing for its failure to have a host on the ground for Townsville is that Bernadette Cooper has other commitments. For some reason she is irreplaceable on the Sydney carnival circuit but they quickly found someone to do her job – be it an ordinary one she does at that – trying to tip winners on a Saturday in Brisbane. Sydney, of course, is far more important to SKY than Townsville and we all know how much some of those calling the shots at HQ like little Bernie.
On Sunday there was wall to wall coverage by SKY of a picnic meeting from Deagon. It was even on the secondary Sky 2 Channel but that didn’t stop them from providing pre-race interviews etc – over the top for an over-rated gimmick meeting that gained plenty of start because of the influence of those involved with the powers that be at RQ.
And in a final blow for the SKY coverage of Cairns the main race they went there to cover was the Amateur Cup and when it was running a few minutes late that race was relegated to Sky2 – something that doesn’t happen with the ‘teacher’s pets’ at the provincials in NSW where one could argue they would wait until tomorrow to run them on Sky 1.
If Sky Channel is being run as a business, God help the shareholders if it wasn’t being funded by an industry, many of whom have no say in what is going on at the coalface.’
‘MORE EVIDENCE OF THE BASKET CASE THAT IS NOW SYDNEY RACING’ 
DANNY TURNBULL of MELBOURNE writes:
‘SYDNEY racing is on the nose – in more ways than one – and Melbourne scribe Matt Stewart summed it up perfectly in the Herald Sun this week.
Stewart took a long bow to the John O’Shea’s muffled fears of nobbling of two Godolphin runners in Saturday’s $1 million Golden Rose at Rosehill.
Stewart summed up the situation perfectly when he wrote: Even before the O’Shea postscript the Golden Rose was a head scratcher; more evidence of the ‘problem’ of Sydney racing.
In Sydney you put on a million bucks and only the super powerful come to play. Down here, or in Brisbane, they come from everywhere.
The powerful three of four stables and ownership groups — Godolphin, Coolmore, Waller, Waterhouse — have such a grip they scare off rivals.
The bottom line is that Sydney racing under the control of Messrs Messara and V’landys is a ‘closed shop’ – the battlers have been driven out of the business – and those running the show couldn’t care less.
It is now coming back to haunt them with field sizes down, some terrible suggestions about how certain races are run and who’s controlling that and even more serious concerns about where the big prizemoney is targeted during The Championships with ‘breeders’ being a dirty word in the minds of many.
Yes, Sydney racing, under the ‘big two’ has got what it wants – the millionaire trainers and silver tail owners dominating the industry and stealing the lionshare of the big prizemoney; SKY now Sydney Central with basic lip service paid to metropolitan racing in Melbourne and Brisbane; and punters big and small reluctant to bet on the Sydney product anymore which is a sad indictment one of the most respected integrity figures ever to chair a race meeting in this country and on the verge of retirement.
This is what Sydney racing delivers on a weekly basis in its bid to become the best in the country when it will never even get into the same ball park as Melbourne. And to think those running the show in NSW are dictating what is happening in the running of racing in Australia. What a diabolical situation the industry is in – especially in good old Harbour City.’
‘NOBBLING SUGGESTIONS BY O’SHEA WERE A SHADE HARD TO FOLLOW’ 
AND this one on the same topic from GUY ALEXANDER of SYDNEY:
‘I am a bit confused about John O’Shea suggesting that two of his runners in the Golden Rose were ‘got at’ before the million dollar race on Saturday.
The question one has to ask is: Who would benefit from ‘nobbling’ an $11 and a $12 chance that had no hope of upsetting their stablemae and favorite Exposphere which went on to win the race?
Had Exosphere performed badly as well his argument might be a valid one even though at the end of the day O’Shea is still responsible for presenting horses at the track if they have an illegal substance in their systems. Simply complaining that he thought a horse was got out doesn’t let him off the hook.
What many have found quite bizarre have been the comments emanating from this issue by Chief Stewart Ray Murrihy in a story written by Matt Stewart for the Herald Sun where he questioned why Sydney struggled to attract interstate visitors for its rich races.
“You look at these small fields …they’re full of half million and million dollar yearlings,’’ Murrihy said.
“There is an elite level in town in Sydney that makes it very difficult for smaller stables to want to come and compete.
“There is a geographical issue too. You come a long way if you want to come to town and take on these big stables.
“You might be running for 90 grand in town but it often makes more sense to stay at home for $15,000 if you are based at somewhere like Dubbo.
“They will divide a two-year-old race at somewhere like Newcastle because there are so many wanting to run but in town they might have just six runners.’’
Stewart rightly suggested that in many ways Sydney racing resembled Europe more than Melbourne. Coolmore and Godolphin, have a stranglehold in Sydney and decades of dominance in Europe where small fields of elite-owned horses are commonplace, especially in stallion-making two and three-year-old races.
Melbourne is a town of big owners but also syndicates. Syndicates demand bang for buck, meaning regular racing, but the superpowers are more about cherry-picking targets and setting molly-coddled colts up for the breeding barn.
Murrihy apparently agrees: “Look at (Coolmore-owned) Vancouver,” he said. “If he was owned by a group of 100 in a syndicate you wonder if he may have been more likely to run in the Golden Rose than bypass it.’’
Stewart deserves the final say: Sydney is desperate to arrest the small field syndrome, putting on a ninth race for country horses called the Highway Handicap. The problem is, the highways in NSW stretch in a westward direction forever. It’s a long drive home to Bourke if your little bush nag runs 13th.’
SUGGESTION THAT GLEN BOSS HAS PLENTY OF SUPPORT FROM RIDING MATES’ 
MAX O’BRIEN of MELBOURNE sent this e-mail (the one we elected to run of several received on the subject):
‘DON’T be fooled into thinking that what Glen Boss had to say about Damien Oliver in the stewards’ room at Flemington on Saturday was a ‘slip of the tongue’ comment.
Behind the scenes Boss had plenty of support from colleagues for his allegations that Oliver is a ‘protected species’ in Victoria.
One only has to look back to the punishment he received for betting on a rival runner in which he was riding one of the main fancies. That still leaves a sour taste in the mouths of many in racing – from punters to jockeys and trainers.
Controversy has ridden shotgun with Oliver for some time now – there have been incidents that for legal reasons were not raised publicly – but Boss made his point in the stewards’ room even though he was rebuked by Chief Steward Terry Bailey and reminded that no-one gets any favors from his panel.
Boss has his right of appeal and will no doubt fight it strongly at that level. Whether he can argue about the consistency of penalties involving arch rival Oliver remains to be seen.
Regardless it makes for some interesting battles on the track during the carnival meetings ahead, especially with Oliver escaping penalty but the likes of Boss, Dunn and Melham being sidelined.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: The argument that Damien Oliver has start with the stewards in Victoria is ludicrous. Glen Boss should stick to what he does best, riding in races (even though at least one last Saturday was second rate on a top fancy). He should stop the grand-standing and let his riding talents do the talking. Incidentally, Boss exercised his right of appeal but lost out on Wednesday.
HIGH PROFILE MEDIA IDENTITY FAVORITE FOR CEO ROLE AT GCTC? 
WE received this email anonymously but have heard the rumors at letsgohorseracing so decided to give it a run:
‘THE mail is strong that the Gold Coast Turf Club will look outside the square and appoint a new CEO with no previous involvement in the thoroughbred industry.
This comes as a surprise to many considering there is a strong tip that dumped RQ CEO Darren Condon has thrown his hat in the ring for the job.
Condon, who formerly did a terrific job with the Brisbane Racing Club, has a background in both the racing and entertainment areas. He was made a scapegoat during the ‘live baiting’ saga losing his job while the Chief Steward in Charge of Greyhound racing at the time was promoted to acting head of integrity. Go figure!
If Condon misses the opportunity to return to racing based on political opinion that RQ might frown on the GCTC if it appointed him then that would hardly be fair – but what’s fair in racing in Queensland?
Why the GCTC would want to tell current and talented CEO Grant Sheather to reapply for his position remains a mystery as well. Sheather decided to resign and walk away – once again the industry is the big loser – but hopefully the stories that greener pastures lie ahead for him are correct and not just industry scuttlebutt.
Meanwhile it seems the hot favorite for the GCTC job is a former high profile media man, who started his career in Brisbane and has since worked interstate and overseas. He has been in some top editorial roles with two of the country’s biggest newspaper groups. The closest he has got to a racetrack is having a punt and a drink on a big day.’
DOES THIS SUBMISSION QUESTION THE FUTURE OF QLD GREYHOUND RACING? 
WE were asked to reproduce this item which was posted on a greyhound blog site because it raises serious questions about the future of the industry in Queensland – happy to oblige:
‘RACING Queensland made a second submission to the Macsporran Inquiry which wasn't made public in the final report. It has now been released under a ‘Freedom of Information’ request.
Below is part of the report which covers industry reform.
With the use of terms and words such as reduction, optimization, cap, on-going licensing conditions, too large, deposit/refund scheme, bond, it looks to be a good thing that the Racing Queensland Board was terminated.
(Under the Heading – Industry Reforms)
As well as changes to the Integrity function within Racing Queensland and the specific suggested regulatory changes as set out above Racing Queensland in this section of the Submission has raised a number of industry issues that may also need to be considered by the Commission.
As discussed below, there is a view that the Greyhound Racing Industry in Queensland may currently be too large and that there may be an overall benefit to the industry if there was some level of optimization of the number of:
(a) Licensed owners/trainers;
(b) Registered greyhounds; and
(c) Licensed greyhound tracks and training facilities.
(Under the Number of Licensed Trainers)
Racing Queensland considers that a reduction in the number of licensed trainers in the Greyhound Racing Industry may need to be considered.
A reduction in trainer numbers could be achieved in a number of ways including:
(a)Imposing some form of ‘cap’ on the number of trainer licenses that can be on issue at any one time by Racing Queensland;
(b)Introducing ‘on-going license conditions’ that require trainers to maintain a prescribed level of participation in the racing industry. For example, there could be an eligibility requirement that a licensed trainer is required to race their greyhounds for a certain number of times per year or they could face having their trainer's license revoked. Relevant and reasonable exceptions would also have to be developed; or
(c) Introducing a ‘deposit/refund’ scheme under which licensed trainers are required to pay a deposit or ‘bond’ upon the grant of their trainer's license. That bond would be held by Racing Queensland and would only be eligible to be returned if the trainer maintained a certain level of activity in the industry. Obviously, some reasonable exceptions would need to be developed as part of the implementation of such a bond scheme.
Racing Queensland acknowledges that there are a number of potentially sensitive issues with any proposal to impose a cap on the number of issued trainer's licenses.
Having regard to applicable National Competition Policy (NCP) principles, there would need to be a strong case developed to demonstrate that there was a significant public interest underpinning any regulatory scheme to cap the number of issued greyhound trainer licenses. This is likely to require support from the State Government given the possible NCP implications. Racing Queensland also notes the comments made in some of the reports that a reduction in trainer numbers might impact on the sustainability and future viability of the industry.
(Under the heading – Optimizing Greyhound Numbers)
Racing Queensland considers that the optimization of greyhound numbers also needs to be considered as an industry issue.
Racing Queensland notes that whilst some jurisdictions suffer from an under-supply of greyhounds and other jurisdictions suffer from an over-supply of greyhounds, the number of greyhounds available in the industry (or being bred into the industry) can be a significant contributing factor to the level of associated welfare issues.
Subject to appropriate analysis of relevant greyhound numbers within the industry, Racing Queensland considers that incentives or disincentives may need to be introduced to maintain the welfare of those greyhounds that are being bred for entry into the greyhound racing industry in Queensland.
Racing Queensland also believes that a number of mechanisms should be considered to absolutely limit the number of greyhounds being bred each year, within a tolerance level.
(Under the heading – The Number of Racing Track and Licensed Training Facilities)
Racing Queensland also considers that a review needs to be undertaken to establish the optimal number of licensed greyhound tracks and training facilities. In this regard, it is noted that the State Government has already announced that the construction of the proposed racetrack at Cronulla Park in Slacks Creek will not proceed until the Commission is completed.
The number of tracks and training facilities must be considered in the light of the size of the desired industry, the ambition of increasing overall professionalism, and being able to ensure the correct level of Integrity oversight can be exercised.
(Under the heading – Payment of Appearance Fees)
Racing Queensland considers that the current system of paying ‘appearance fees’ should be discontinued. Such fees are paid to an owner simply for having a greyhound participate in a race without there being any ancillary requirement for the relevant dog to meet particular standards.
The removal of appearance fees may have the effect of ensuring that trainers/owners will then be more motivated to participate competitively in the greyhound racing industry. In doing so the saved appearance fees could then be redirected to help fund the Integrity operations for the Greyhound Racing Industry.
It should be expected though, that the removal of appearances fees will meet with negative industry reaction, with claims that racing will become financially non-viable. The counter argument though, is that it will, over time, ensure the industry reduces to the number of participants justified by a ‘professional’ approach to the industry.
‘RQ PROMOTIONS GURUS COULD LEARN FROM DARLING DOWNS HARNESS CLUB’ 
PASSIONATE Queensland harness racing identity, DONNY SPELLEKEN, had this message for RQ:
‘THE Promotions Department of Racing Queensland needs to get out and meet up with the hard working people from the Darling Down Harness Racing Club, and take notice of how to run a race meeting and how to promote one, which would be an advantage for all codes .
The Darling Downs Harness Racing club conducted an eight-race card on the grass at Allman Park, Warwick, on Father’s Day and from all reports had a very good crowd with lots of families out enjoying perfect weather and very good racing.
Sadly harness racing here in Queensland is in a deep hole and is struggling to attract people on course so give credit where credit is due. Those people from the DDHRC have done a tremendous job promoting the day and having sponsors for every race on the card.
They even had a statue of a horse in full racing harness and gig and driver on display in a local shopping centre. When was the last time harness racing was promoted like that?
While I was unable to attend the meeting, it was great to see hard work rewarded with a successful day. Well done DDHRC and to all the sponsors who helped out.’
STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED IN THE MAINSTREAM RACING MEDIA
MURRIHY WANTS JOCKEYS BETTER PROTECTED AFTER CAR ATTACK
RACING NSW's chief steward Ray Murrihy has asked the Australian Turf Club to tighten security afforded to jockeys as the culprit who vandalised Tye Angland's vehicle at Rosehill on Saturday remains unidentified.
BRAD PENGILLY reports for FAIRFAX MEDIA that Murrihy has asked Racing NSW's surveillance and intelligence squad member Nick Ryan to personally pore over CCTV footage from the aftermath of the Golden Rose meeting after an initial inspection failed to provide any clues to the assailant.
Angland returned to the members' car park to find an object had been used to crack the windscreen on his car after riding at the first group 1 meeting of the Sydney spring carnival.
The jockey had endured a luckless day in the saddle, steering into dead ends on second favourite Press Statement (fifth) in the feature race while he also copped heavy interference on the well-backed Sultry Feeling earlier in the day.
And one disgruntled punter among the crowd of 8000-plus decided to let the jockey know what he thought of his efforts upon leaving the track.
"We'll ask the club to review their security arrangements," Murrihy said. "We've brought it to the attention of the ATC to see if they can provide some extra security and that won't do any harm."
Jockeys are often provided specialised parking areas close to racecourse entrances, but generally haven't needed security to watch the vehicles or provide escorts in and out of the track.
Murrihy described the attack on Angland's car as a "low act" and appealed for anyone with information about the incident to contact stewards or the Australian Turf Club in confidence.
"Nick Ryan, from our surveillance and intelligence team, will go and have a look himself [at the CCTV footage] because he knows the area and where the car was parked specifically," Murrihy said.
"We're doing a further review and we're hoping it's successful. It's a pretty low act and we'd be interested in any information, anonymously or however it is provided, so we can act upon it."
Angland will have a chance to add a fourth group 1 since returning from a stint in Hong Kong when he partners John Thompson's Hooked in the group 1 George Main Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Hooked was sensationally backed as a first-up winner of the group 2 Tramway Stakes at headquarters a fortnight ago.
Angland will also reunite with Hooked's stablemate Orbec in Friday's Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup.
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.