ROCKHAMPTON trainer, JIM RUNDLE, is concerned about the minimum field size that Racing Queensland is working and has made the following comments. Here’s hoping the ‘rocket scientists’ responsible for programming at RQ take some notice because he makes a lot of sense:
OBJECTIVES
NO objectives have been stated or the reason for making changes.
Assumption is wagering income is not sufficient to meet prizemoney payouts.
WINNERS AND LOSERS
IN the short-term RQ will be the winner as it helps to balance the budget.
In the longer term it will have serious consequences for racing in Queensland.
Cancelling a race only punishes those wishing to race.
Why punish the willing?
Eventually there will be no horses to race, they will move on or give up racing.
WHAT IS THE REAL PROBLEM
BUDGETS are always a problem, first consideration is always to cut expenditure.
However, sometimes it overlooks the real cause, and if not fixed the problem will get worse.
So why are horse numbers becoming a problem?
Sustainability is certainly a major issue.
Ever increasing cost to owners and trainers is causing overbearing pressure.
Unfortunately, income from prize money has not kept up with expenditure.
In Rockhampton for instance there are about 70 boxes unoccupied at the track.
I heard the Minster say when he released the inquiry into racing that the good news was “prizemoney would not be reduced”
Really, reducing prize money was being considered.
In Rockhampton the loss of race meetings in the last few years, is costing the city between $600,000 and a million dollars a year in lost prize money.
I believe a serious internal look into how thoroughbred racing can survive in Queensland needs to be examined.
LISTED AND GROUP RACES
THE other issue is Listed and Group races. Why are they protected under this policy?
It’s now common in Australia to see a Group race with only FIVE starters competing for millions of dollars of prizemoney.
In Queensland 60% of group prize money goes south of the border. How does this help racing in Queensland?
Have you considered lowering the prize money for Group races, and adding a bonus for Queensland-trained Horses.
The bonus condition is that the Trainer must be licensed in Queensland and residing in the State.
Plus, the particular horse must have been with a Queensland Trainer for at least six weeks prior to the event.
