IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer, TERRY BUTTS, reports how the newly-formed Queensland Trainers’ Association – the most representative of trainers in the State – has backed the decision to sack RQ All Codes Chairman Kevin Dixon and CEO Darren Condon.
Butts reproduces some of the comments made by the QTA in their newsletter which make a hell of a lot of sense in view of the financial plight that has been revealed at RQ.
Here is the Butts column:
ATA SAYS SACKINGS OF ALL CODES CHAIRMAN AND RQ CEO WAS ‘JUSTIFIED’
SINCE Queensland Racing Minister, Bill Byrne, recommended the sacking of Industry All Codes Board Chairman, Kevin Dixon and RQ Chief Executive, Darren Condon, there has been considerable debate in various circles about the fairness of his actions, according to the Queensland Trainers’ Association in its latest newsletter.
It continued: ‘A number of Brisbane-based trainers and journalists seem to be claiming that the actions were purely politically motivated and that neither sacking was justified.
‘Unfortunately some of the pro-Dixon and Condon camp seem to have a very tentative understanding of the responsibilities which were attached to the positions which both men occupied within Queensland Racing.
‘Unfortunately both men were found to have erred in their ability to correctly oversee areas of corporate governance covering all aspects of the three racing codes under their control.
‘One only has to look a little more closely at the Racing Queensland 2013/2014 annual report which was signed off by both men to gain an insight into the areas in which they failed in their duties.
‘On page 5 under the heading, “Our vision, Mission and Values” we see the following statements:
“We set the standard worldwide in the humane treatment of our animals and champion their welfare.”
” Championing animal welfare – Expand welfare education programs and further develop guidelines for breeding, training and competition. Increase intelligence capability and share information with other welfare groups.”
“Upholding integrity – ensure the Queensland racing industry operates with integrity at all times. Build our intelligence capability and strengthen our grip on non-compliant activity.”
TRAINERS QUESTION WHETHER DIXON AND CONDON WERE SAVIORS OF INDUSTRY
THE ATA believes that when it came to the greyhound industry it appears these men could talk the talk but not walk the walk and their efforts to oversee the areas referred to in the annual report all came crashing down with the ABC 4 Corners report on live baiting practices.
Whilst both men may have been passionate about thoroughbred racing their job responsibilities covered all three racing codes and their efforts were seen to fall far short of what the Racing Minister deemed to be satisfactory, the newsletter stated.
THE Minister installed Mr Ian Hall, KPMG accountant, as acting CEO of Racing Queensland and gave him a brief to conduct a forensic analysis of the finances and procedures within the whole organisation in order to determine the true current state of play.
“Dixon and Condon were widely touted as the saviors of racing in Queensland following their much publicised deal of the century with TattsBet” it continued.
“Time will tell whether Ian Hall’s full analysis of current finances and future income streams from betting turnover come to the same conclusion for racing in Queensland.
“In the interim the QTA congratulates Bill Byrne for his businesslike and methodical approach to separate out the ‘spin’ and concentrate on the facts in order to ensure racing continues to thrive across all areas of Queensland.”
DARREN CONDON DEFENDS HIS ROLE AND QUESTIONS FIGURES RELEASED LAST WEEK
DEPOSED RQ CEO, Darren Condon, defends his role stating that the figures released last week are ‘their figures-not ours’.
There is a certain belief among the Condon supporters that the Government is simply “playing politics”.
That might be an easy assumption. Minister Byrne, who has to date played everything very close to his chest for which he has earned valuable plaudits on both sides of politics, is said to be deadly serious.
The only thing everyone in the game agrees with is that there is a black hole – it is just the figure that might be in dispute.
Simply Racing Queensland is not working – and hasn’t for the past two Governments.
Maybe it’s just too big to effectively control. Perhaps a change back to the old principal club system whereby the State is divided into sections (the old CQRA and NQRA) .The associations would become the operators of racing in their respective areas under the control of Racing Queensland. It was a successful system that was unfortunately dismantled by the Bentley regime when it came to power. Another of the Bentley blunders – and yet he has the temerity or nerve to criticise his successors. That’s a joke!
Racing Queensland’s current model has failed – of that there is also no dispute.
Nor is there argument among the respective stakeholders in all three codes that they should be separated. That really should happen and the codes made responsible for their own destiny without any piggy-backing as has been – and is the current situation – another Bentley legacy.
You might wonder how things are actually going to improve. Interim CEO Hall says that the spending of money from the RQ coffers exceeded the limits and revenue from wagering did not meet the predictions of the former Racing Queensland.
The contention is that wagering will improve when Eagle Farm is back on track.
But will it?
Punters have been turned away – for many reasons – not least the TV shemozzle for which SKY gets the blame. History supposedly shows that once punters turn their backs, that’s it, they don’t return.
GOVERNMENTS NO LONGER RELY ON RACING FOR TAXES – THEY PREFER THE POKIES
AND governments no longer rely on racing for its taxes. They prefer the rivers of gold provided by poker machines to the detriment of the entire nation – not merely the racing industry.
Just two weeks ago, the Baird Government in NSW blatantly introduced changes to make life easier for serious poker machine players, according to a report by respected Mike Seketee, former National Affairs Editor of The Australian.
Apparently it was part of a trend, with governments in Canberra, Queensland and the Northern Territory going down the same path as NSW.
“As a result of the most recent changes, gamblers in NSW clubs can now store $5,000 in an account or a smart card – a 25-fold increase from the previous standard limit of $200. As well, they can receive up to $5,000 of their winnings in cash, whereas previously amounts over $2,000 had to be paid by cheque or electronic funds transfer.
“This is clearly in the interests of poker machine venue operators and against the interests of people experiencing issues with gambling.”
Changes in Queensland have increased the number of poker machines allowed under a club licence from 280 to 500.
Last December, the NT Government increased the number of pokies in hotels from 10 to 20 and in clubs from 45 to 55.
It followed the $150,000 donation by the Australian Hotels Association to the governing Country Liberal Party before the last election – a donation that, according to Gaming Minister Peter Styles, did not influence the Government's decision.
Of course not!
Seketee, in his report, pointed out that total gambling expenditure per head in Australia grew after inflation from $577 in 1986-87 to $1,179 in 2011-12.
“That meant total gambling losses of $20.5 billion in 2011-12, 84 per cent of it on gaming – the rest on racing and sports betting.
He asked the question: Why are governments encouraging further growth of a harmful industry?
Answer: Because they have increasingly relied on it for revenue – their takings almost doubling to $5.5 billion in the 25 years to 2011-12.
Politics!
If it wasn’t so serious it would be a complete bloody joke.
And they want to fine for you not voting.
TOWNSVILLE RACING WILL SADLY MISS FORMER COMMITTEEMAN JOHN ROWLANDS
TOWNSVILLE racing lost one of its greatest stalwarts last week with the passing of John Rowlands, a TTC committeeman for more than 20 years.
John a, city surveyor who was at the top of his profession for decades in Townsville and responsible for many of the city’s best known landmarks, was a keen racing man and successful owner.
One of his many winners was a horse named Zilch, trained by Kelly Schweida. He had been in poor health for many months but continued his interest in local racing to the very end. It was John Rowlands who designed and made the in-course lake at Cluden a reality.
WHEN WILL THIS DISASTER AT CANNON PARK FINALLY COME TO AN END?
AND still the calamity of Cannon Park continues.
Last week, without any consultation with trainers or jockeys, the Cairns Jockey Club ordered 360 tonnes of sand to be spread on the course proper. When the first load turned up it was found to contain stones ‘some the size of rocks’, said one trainer.
Imagine that!
So more sand was ordered – not loam mind you – but river sand and according to the same trainer the track looks woeful.
“If we get the predicted rain there is no way they will race here on Saturday”, he said.
Several of the high profile local trainers and jockeys were interviewed on television on Friday night and all of them condemned it.
All but the club’s CEO – who steadfastly defended the move.
No doubt the Chief Steward, trainers, jockeys and a reputable vet (without the CEO) will inspect the surface before Saturday to gauge its safety.
Might be a case of Innisfail…here we come!
Perhaps the Cairns track will be cherry ripe for the Amateurs. Maybe that is the plan.
APPEAL DECISION RESERVE ON COBALT PENALTY FOR ATHERTON TRAINER
WHILE the big name trainers in the south charged with the use of Cobalt continue to argue and plead their case in the media, Atherton trainer Glen Baker was before the RDB in Brisbane last week to appeal his two-year sentence for the same offence, administering and presenting a horse with cobalt in its system beyond the legal limit.
The appeal was heard by Brock Miller and former trots stipe Daryl Kays. After a lengthy submission by Baker's lawyer Matt Stutt and the high flying Racing Queensland barrister (we thought RQ was broke) David Kent, the Board reserved its decision. A result is expected within the next two weeks.
Baker is appealing penalty. His claim is based on the fact that cobalt should not be treated any different to other illegal substances such as TCO2, pain suppressants and /or performance enhancing drugs that are usually treated with a fine.
“Cobalt is not a prohibited substance such as ICE,” contended lawyer Matt Tutt – and therefore a fine, or a severely reduced disqualification, should be more appropriate”.
Interesting!
COLUMN COURTESY OF TERRY BUTTS AND THE NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, one of Australia's leading rural newspapers.
TERRY BUTTS can be contacted by e-mailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
