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.
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE ‘WHINGE’ IN 2015 – WE’LL BE BACK! 
THIS is the FINAL EDITION of the WEDNESDAY WHINGE for 2015 and we have decided to make it a little different. We will give Christmas-New Year week a break from the regular whine, take a step back, enjoy the festive season and focus on more important issues – like family, friends and for some of us the real meaning of the occasion.
Like it or hate it the WHINGE continues to grow in popularity and will be back in 2016 providing you with a platform to express your views on racing topics (something the mainstream media at times finds a mission impossible because of their links with certain individuals and organisations). All we ask is that your contributions are objective and, of course, remain within the boundaries of the laws of defamation.
There are many issues that you would not only never learn about but probably not even read or hear about if it were left to the mainstream media (print and broadcast) were it not for websites like letsgohorseracing and justracing.
Once again I want to pay tribute to the fantastic job done on a daily basis for the racing industry by Phil Purser on his multiple sites associated with justracing. I have never even met Phil on a face-to-face basis and there are times that I disagree with his opinions. But that’s what racing is – a world of opinions – and without it, where would we be? Msot times what he writes and suggests makes sense.
The team at letsgohorseracing, especially those responsible for our increasingly popular Late Mail (yes, we tip our share of losers and so do our rivals) but ours is a leisure and affordable subscription service, designed to have some fun and has grown in popularity due to our Hong Kong ratings, especially since the TABs in NSW and Victoria co-mingled their pools with Honkers (these are now huge – in the millions – and again reinforces our opinion and that of others that UBET is dragging its feet by not getting involved in this).
To all of our readers, contributors, supporters – and even the detractors – we wish you and your families and friends the very best for Christmas, a safe, a healthy and hopefully a prosperous New Year where you find plenty of winners.
NEW RQ BOARD AND CEO NEED TO BE APPOINTED ASAP 
AS this is the final edition of the WEDNESDAY WHINGE for 2015 we decided to express the letsgohorseracing view on what should happen with the appointment of a desperately-needed control body to run the rudderless Racing Queensland ship. We read with interest the views of an old colleague Peter Cameron in his column in The Sunday Mail (as usual, we will agree to disagree with some of his suggestions).
Our prime belief is that we should put politics aside and give the new Racing Minister Grace Grace a little space to get a grip on just how bad the situation is. But she needs to move right now to have the new Board in place and have them appoint a CEO forthwith (this whole issue has dragged on for far too long).
Instead of the participating in a politically motivated rally – many would say designed as a deliberate diversion from the bad financial news being delivered at the same time at the RQ AGM across the road – industry stakeholders would be better off being ‘informed’ than ‘alarmed’. They are concerned enough without being used as pawns in a point-scoring political game to cause further disruption to a minority Government.
Instead of talking about blocking Parliament with horse floats (what a load of manure that suggestion is), they should be asking and listening (at the AGM) to what is being done to overcome five successive years of financial losses at RQ totalling almost $40 million, including a consolidated group loss of $12.7 million in 2014-15.
Instead of blaming the Boards of Bob Bentley or Kevin Dixon, or a succession of Racing Ministers – many of whom in the eyes of the industry have achieved absolutely nothing – they should be listening to what the interim task force has done to overcome a total depletion of RQ’s cash reserves.
Instead of listening to the crap flowing from the mouth of some politicians who racing folk only see when a controversy is brewing, stakeholders should be thankful that the much-maligned Labor Government (who many believe inherited this financial mess) has loaned $17 million (interest free) to RQ to fund prizemoney and allow it to continue to operate.
We can agree and disagree on who is to blame for the forecast loss of $28 million this year (and if that figure is indeed correct); whether the 30-year TAB deal was a ‘dud’ and if key figures were deliberately held out of the negotiation process for political reasons; and whether Magic Millions deserves $5 million of industry money every year for the next seven. But that will achieve nothing. The damage has already been done.
What RQ needs is a solution to the problem – not political debate, a blame game, more hatred and in-fighting. So here’s what letsgohorseracing thinks could be a solution to the problem. It is way out of left field but nothing else seems to be working and let’s face it another group of political appointments is certainly not the answer to the problem.
WE HAVE THE ‘RIGHT’ PEOPLE TO SAVE RACING – BUT ARE THEY WILLING? 
YOU don’t need us (LGHR) to tell you the seriousness of the financial state confronting racing in Queensland and how bleak the future appears. We wanted to get our view across on this issue, so here goes:
QUEENSLAND has produced businessmen and women with a love for racing who are as successful and respected as any in the land. It has developed trainers and jockeys who have held their own against the best and are world class, not to mention producing top class horses that went on to win at the highest level and became household names. But our industry seems to be rudderless and some of those now giving and taking advice are too inexperienced.
Our people – from the city to the surf and the dusty outback tracks – have been among the most passionate followers of racing as long as we can remember. Many remain keen racing followers and punters despite the fact that the thousands who once traditionally flocked to the track on a regular basis are a dying breed.
The comfort of being able to watch (courtesy of television) racing live in our own homes, or in the more economical and convenient comfort of the local pub of club, has made times so much tougher for race clubs.
But where – in Queensland racing in particular – did things go so horribly wrong?
Who can we blame, or what has been responsible for the train wreck that we now call racing?
It can’t all be the fault poor decisions by politicians and/or administrators (even if one of those dills in recent times did suggest racing in Queensland would wind up a furlong in front of the southern states under the Government of his Party).
There is, of course, modern day technology to cope with; along with more competition for the leisure dollar; and, sadly, scandals that have rocked the sport, the latest being the ‘live baiting’ problem at the dogs. Heaven forbid – we managed to survive the Fine Cotton ring-in, so I’m sure we will survive this one too.
There are many individuals who have achieved so much to put Queensland on the racing map – not just in this country but on a world scale – one of the most recent being our own boy from the bush in Peter Moody courtesy of his great mare Black Caviar – but even big Pete has his own share of headaches these days and sadly could end up walking away from what he does best.
It’s hard to recall a single season in recent times when the Maroon flag has not been proudly hoisted after Group One success at one of the major carnivals – in recent years courtesy of the ageless Rob Heathcote-trained favourite Buffering.
But sadly in recent years the negatives have far out-weighed the positives. Many take the easy way out and blame it on bad publicity. Blame us for what some call beat-ups if you like, but we don’t make the racing news.
Were we too spoiled by politicians like ‘big’ Russ Hinze whose Government influence enabled hundreds of millions to be recklessly – some might say – thrown at racing, especially his great love – the harness code. Looks where it is now and that was hardly a worthwhile investment.
His most competent successor, Bob Gibbs, continued that great expectation from an industry that rather than be rewarded for performance arguably traded on mediocrity but still demanded the rivers of gold to flow from Governments of both political persuasions regardless of growing – and more importantly to the general public – problems in health, education and welfare area that demanded attention immediately.
EVEN RACING FANS WERE STARTING TO QUESTION CONTINUED HANDOUTS 
ALL of a sudden even those who loved their racing were starting to wonder if it was time for the industry to stand on its own two feet, rather than rely on continued handouts.
We kept hearing how many tens of thousands the industry employed and how many millions in revenue it provided for the economy. So what! So do a lot of other industries.
These things do not give racing the right to make unreasonable demands at the expense of needy projects like health, education and roads. Having said that, it is an iconic sport in this country – from the Flemington on the first Tuesday in November to the famous Birdsville Cup.
Change was needed but from the day Bob Gibbs took control of racing away from the Queensland Turf Club and made the industry supposedly independent – handing the reins to the Queensland Principal Club, Racing Queensland or whatever they wanted to call it – the industry has become nothing more than a political battleground and gone backwards.
It was a move in the right direction by Gibbs but for political reasons (an old boys’ club network that continues to influence racing) it didn’t work.
Since the QTC lost control there has been nothing but trouble. The industry was supposed to be independent – free of the shackles of Government interference. Racing was supposed to determine its own destiny. It has done anything but. All three codes have been riddled by political in-fighting, favouritism and square-ups.
Love him or hate him, Bob Bentley was the only RQ Chairman whose Board left the industry in a strong financial state. In the opinion of many the less said about the job done by Kevin Dixon and his LNP mates the better. As Racing Minister, the LNP’s Steve Dickson was a disaster from Day One.
Labor’s short-term replacement Bill Byrne (who supposedly fell out with his mentor, another ex-Racing Minister in Rob Schwarten) was basically gone before we even heard of him. Those in the ‘know’ say Byrne wanted to again separate the theee codes (a great move) but Rob and the Government could not see the financial viability in returning to that situation.
Grace Grace has recently inherited the Crown of Thorns. Some are already saying what she knows about racing you could print on a postage stamp. That could be a bonus in some respects but it’s still hard to imagine things ever changing, regardless of what political party is in power.
It’s easy to blame the Government of the day, the Racing Minister who inherits the portfolio regarded as the poisoned chalice – and with all due respects there have been some duds who would struggle to recognize whether it was goats or horses that were being ridden down the straight at Eagle Farm.
But that’s the past (one would hope) and unless something is done about the future racing in Queensland as we once knew it will die. It probably already has. And that’s a crying shame when we should be dining out on the betting feast that doesn’t just occur on weekends but many days of the week; when race clubs and stakeholders should be benefitting from a terrific TAB deal; when tracks should be used not just for racing but facilities utilized on a more than once a week basis; when racing is no longer an afternoon out for old toffs scoffing scotch and telling each other what a wonderful job they are doing. It needs to be run as a business by young and older men and women who really care about the sport.
WHAT ARE THE ANSWERS TO RACING’S ON-GOING WOES IN QUEENSLAND? 
WHERE do we start?
Separate racing from any form of Government interference (administratively and integrity wise (we won’t even elaborate on the the latter which is arguably nothing short of a standing joke in Queensland. Changes need to be made there immediately, bring in some heavy-hitters if they will come here).
A newlook RQ has to bite the bullet and find a way of negotiating a changed TAB deal that provides the best possible return. That means no political interference in the contractual negotiations because it suits some backroom deal; no farcical 30-year lock-in; and seek the best possible provider not one regarded by many punters as ineffective, especially when it comes to their all too late Fixed Odds placements.
It’s time to provide the industry and the stakeholders with what they deserve – value for money and a product that will return the best possible prizemoney. Like it or not the corporate bookmakers are here to stay – so let’s make them pour a big percentage of their profits back into the industry locally rather than send it off-shore.
If the survival and success of racing in Queensland means selecting a Board full of businessmen and women of different political persuasions who don’t exactly like each other (in fact hate each others’ guts), then go for it.
At least the debate and hopefully the final outcome won’t be what you get from a Board full of ‘yes’ men where the Chairman adopts the approach ‘it’s my way or the highway’ and we wind up in a situation like we have right now, some might say courtesy of ‘Little King Kev’ or ‘Bob the Builder’.
It’s hard – almost impossible – to believe that from a list of over 200 applicants those responsible could not come up with a short-list. And don’t say there aren’t the individuals out there who can’t do the job. It’s just a matter of convincing them that racing in Queensland is worth saving and that they are prepared to give up some of their valuable time to help.
There are some good racing and business individuals who have been thrown on the scrap heap over the years – for political and other reasons – but we don’t want to take a step back in time, so let’s look for a set of fresh faces when this SOS goes out.
THE LGHR ‘RESCUE TEAM’ THAT COULD SAVE QUEENSLAND RACING
LETSGOHORSERACING suggests that rather than pay KPMG a supposed $20,000 a week of much-needed industry funds that a communications company be appointed to seek briefing papers on a future path the industry can take from a group we will call the ‘RQ rescue team’.
They have already tried consulting with stakeholder groups and that, in the opinion of many, simply hasn't been effective. So let’s try something different. Our ‘rescue team’ are a group of people that are not in any way mates of ours – in fact some we don’t know, others have no time for us at all, a couple we would call supporters.
There is one proviso – none could allow their personal involvement in racing or businesses associated with racing to have any influence on the recommendations they might make but their input on those topics is especially important.
The first thing they need to do is split the codes and force harness and greyhound racing to survive on their own two (or four) feet. The current model – regardless of financial benefits – simply won’t work.
We would ask the following individuals to sit down with an RQ-appointed team of consultants (who know something about the industry) and put forward their path to a successful future.
Here is the group that LGHR believes should be approached and asked to help or at least provide some advice:
Successful businessman, harness supremo and influential political (of all persuasions) figure Kevin Seymour.
Magic Millions maestro, Gerry Harvey, an entrepreneurial businessman, horse owner, breeder and whatever. His knowledge of the racing industry is unquestionable and does not exclude the problems that have confronted Queensland for some time.
Bob Gibbs is a former Racing Minister who changed the face of the industry in this state and would have plenty of advice to offer.
Jim Soorley and Tony Mooney (former Mayors of Brisbane and Townsville) love their racing and are successful businessmen who must have ideas that could improve racing.
Alan Jones, an influential broadcaster, who has a passion for horse racing and a knowledge of what is right and wrong with the industry in Queensland.
Barry Taylor, a high profile lawyer and racehorse owner from North Queensland, who was allegedly shut out of the latest TAB deal negotiations with Tattersall’s and believes a better deal could have been done. Let's hear what he has to say.
Tom Hedley, a prominent North Queensland businessman who has raced hundreds of horses over the years and follows the industry passionately.
Mary Collier, a lawyer and former chairman of the Brisbane Turf Club who races horses and has an active role in the bookmaking industry these days.
APART from Alan Jones, we would seek the views of some media identities like Peter Gleeson (Editor of The Sunday Mail, an avid greyhound racing fan and follower of all codes); Alan Thomas (the veteran race-caller who is about to retire); Peter Bredhauer (who has been involved in just about every facet of the industry) and Phil Purser (the pioneer of racing websites in this country who makes regular sensible suggestions that would improve racing).
No doubt there are many others whose opinions should be sought. From that the consultants or communications team could put together (as quickly as possible) a suggested Path to the Future for Racing in Queensland along with some ideal Board candidates. It would be money far better spent than that on KPMG taking advice from some within the Deagon Bunker or the Minister being bombarded by political mischief-makers who, in many cases, simply haven’t got a clue or worse still have personal or stakeholder agendas.
Our suggestion is nothing more than an opinion. But something needs to be done sooner rather than later. We’re sure the comments above will fire up a few individuals – have your say when the Wednesday Whinge returns in the New Year. We don’t mind a bagging. It’s become a ritual since we started letsgohorseracing and strangely is one of the reasons the website has proved so popular, especially among followers in Queensland and continues to grow.
RACING RUMOR MILL WAS WRONG AGAIN – THIS TIME ABOUT TERRY BAILEY 
NOW that our rant and rave is over, here are a couple of contributions that were received for this week’s WHINGE:
ANDY PRINCE of MELBOURNE writes:
‘DON’T you just love the racing rumor mill?
In the past few weeks the story has done the rounds that ‘Bailey is Gone’ and ‘so are some other key stewards.
The story spread like a bushfire. It was distinguished just as quickly.
Matt Stewart, seen as one of the Peter Moody favorites in the racing media, penned an article for the Herald Sun which began: ‘RUMORS about the future of key stewards were quashed, Peter Moody declared his business ‘destroyed’ and focus turned from hoof powder to a vitamin injection as the Moody cobalt case adjourned for Christmas.
In went on to read in part: ‘Up in the committee dining room, as Moody and Co left the RADB, Racing Victoria chief executive Bernard Saundry and chairman David Moodie said a variety of rumors regarding its most senior stewards were ‘utterly untrue, not just vicious, simply wrong’.”
Saundry said chief steward Terry Bailey ‘had been simply doing his job’ in a tough year for the sport and the integrity department. “He deserves his holiday and he will be back on February 1.”
One suspects after a long drawn-out cobalt saga, a spring carnival that had its dramas, then having someone shoot holes in the front door of your family home, Terry Bailey is entitled to a break.’
RIDE ON BEACH BY DISQUALIFIED JOCKEY COULD LEAD TO FIREWORKS 
THIS email was sent by a LICENSED TRAINER (and not the one involved). For obvious reasons he requested to remain anonymous. We are happy to run part of his email but the ‘tail-end’ was too hot for us to handle:
‘STANDBY for some more racing fireworks in Queensland if jockey Luke Dillon decides to appeal the severity of yet another 12-month disqualification, this time for riding a horse in work on a beach while he was serving time.
Dillon, a triple premiership winning rider in Rockhampton, had only a month to serve of a year-long disqualification. I am not painting him as a saint but he certainly seems to be getting sorted out for special attention for some reason.
Whilst most racing observers believe Dillon was a silly boy (he pleaded guilty) jumping aboard a registered racehorse on Nudgee Beach in Brisbane on Friday, December 4, questions are being raised about how the RQ Integrity Unit learnt about it, whether the length of the disqualification for this type of offence is too hefty and how quickly they managed to deal with the matter.
It seems rather coincidental that on a Friday the Integrity Unit would just happen to be at – of all places – Nudgee Beach when a trainer gallops a horse with a disqualified jockey aboard. Let’s face it someone tipped them off. The reasons for that need to be raised, along with a list of other issues that have already been reported to RQ stewards with little or no action at the station.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: THIS email went on to make some serious allegations about an identity supposedly close to certain stewards tipping them off, this person being the subject of complaints that allegedly are taking some time to be investigated; suggestions there is a vendetta against a stable that Dillon is associated with; and a host of other unrelated complaints involving some of those involved here that RQ is supposedly looking into. It’s all very messy but is currently being considered for an airing on a current affairs television program which will mean even more bad publicity for RQ. It even involves a race in Rockhampton and an incident involving jockeys and an owner at the local airport. .
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.