IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer, TERRY BUTTS, reveals how a meeting has been organized by the Queensland Trainers’ Association to protest plans by RQ to downgrade four major provincial centres to country status.
He also report on a passionate plea to State Parliament by bush MP Rob Katter calling for the survival of country clubs in the current financial dilemma facing racing in Queensland.
Here is his column:
PROTEST MEETING OVER RQ PLANS TO DOWNGRADE MAJOR PROVINCIAL CENTRES
THE Queensland Trainers’ Association has called a special meeting on November 2 to oppose a Racing Queensland plan to downgrade Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns race meetings from provincial to country status.
Not one of these clubs has been approached by RQ to discuss the change in status.
“They have left us completely in the dark but we will fight it to the end,” asserted QTA chairman Jim Rundle.
He said RQ has stated that the proposal will only apply to apprentice claim allowances – but the QTA is not convinced it is in the best interests of country racing.
When apprentices have out-ridden their allowance (80 winners in the country) they would be forced to move to the city to complete their indentures. Currently an apprentice can ride 80 winners on country tracks and 80 on provincial tracks before losing the allowance – but can still claim in the city.
It will impact on the career of all apprentice jockeys and the fact that our provincial TAB tracks will be downgraded to country for apprentices ‘one could be excused for wondering if prizemoney status is next in line,’ Mr Rundle said.
He recalled the days when all provincial TAB clubs had the same prizemoney allocation. That was changed with Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba now offering substantially more money per race than the northern clubs.
“That was a bitter blow – a virtual downgrade for the northern clubs – and we don’t want another”.
As part of this new and seemingly unnecessary proposal, apprentices will only be able to use their provincial allowance when riding at Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast or Ipswich meetings.
ANOTHER ‘I KNOW NOTHING’ RESPONSE FROM THE RQ ‘BRAINS-TRUST’
ANOTHER concerning aspect is that when Mr Rundle asked a senior RQ official the reasons behind the proposal he was told simply: “I don’t know”.
The QTA chairman said it appeared to offer very few benefits to apprentice jockeys or trainers, particularly those based in regional areas.
“RQ has the view the change would enhance opportunity for apprentices to compete and utilize their claiming allowances at metropolitan, provincial and country level more effectively than is our current scene in Queensland.
“Unfortunately over recent times the RQ management seems to operate in a very reactive manner, particularly if Brisbane-based trainers have some type of suggestion, often aimed at fostering their interests only.
“However, one wonders if RQ ever conducts any sort of business analysis regarding their proposals and related impacts on stakeholders across the whole State.
“Let’s hope they can supply a compelling argument to back up what appears to be the latest knee jerk,” the Chairman said.
COALFACE IGNORED AS RQ CONSULTS ITS ‘MATES’ ON INDUSTRY GROUP
IT is understood that the Rockhampton Jockey Club, in a blistering response to the new scheme, told RQ Manager of Operations, Ross Gove, that it was “stunned by the complete lack of respect for their Club in RQ’s approach to amend the rule.”
At no point has the Club been presented with the reasons for the change. Townsville was also left out of the loop.
The RJC is said to have questioned the “perceived benefits to the stakeholder groups such as the Clubs, punters, racegoers, trainers, owners and riders”.
In his response, Gove said the matter had been discussed at a meeting of the RQ Industry Group and was unanimously supported by the Group – which he said represented a broad cross-section of stakeholders.
Apparently it is now up to the new Board, if and whenever it is in place.
QTA’s Jim Rundle said everyone from Rockhampton to Cairns had been highly critical of the proposed change.
“We can point to examples where apprentices have gone south seeking to further their career and the results are not good.
“It is forcing young people to disrupt their family lives because they wish to be a jockey. I don’t know of any other trade where an apprentice is forced to move to the city to finish their apprenticeship.
“Just what do Country apprentices do once they out ride their country claim?
“Queensland is a very large state and to ask apprentices living in Mt Isa to move to Brisbane to continue their apprenticeship is totally unfair.
“Unfortunately, I cannot find one reason why we should support this proposal,” Rundle said.
PETER CULLEN MAKES SUCCESSFUL COMEBACK AFTER TWO SETBACKS
TOP Townsville jockey Peter Cullen wasted no time in getting back to the winner’s enclosure after an enforced lay off.
Cullen has been out of the saddle after a serious incident at the Atherton Cup meeting in August when he was flown by helicopter to Cairns Hospital with a ruptured spleen and spent several days in hospital.
And then, during an enforced convalescence period, he decided to paint his house – and he fell again – not from a horse but his ladder, and broke a wrist.
He finally pestered his doctor to give him a clearance to ride at Charters Towers on Saturday – but on the condition he took only three mounts.
Cullen won for his old mate Bob Snelling on Colour Image at his very first ride back and in the next race got home on Choi Oi for another of his old stalwarts John Barr.
The crooked smile and the customary cockiness were back. Cullen is never comfortable when away from the winners enclosure and he is still hungry to make up wasted time that saw him sidelined for the Cluden track opening and Cup day.
ROB KATTER PLEAS IN PARLIAMENT FOR THE SURVIVAL OF COUNTRY CLUBS
IT was 11.23pm in a near deserted Chamber last Thursday when Rob Katter rose in the Parliament to deliver a passionate plea on behalf of Queensland country clubs that are facing a bleak future – if the rumour mill at Deagon is correct – and it usually is.
Mr Katter made some compelling points. He said the actual loss by Racing Queensland under the previous Government was in fact $4mn not the $11mn as freely stated by the current Labor regime.
Said Mt Katter:
“It is imperative that the $7mn loss by Harness Racing is recouped from within that sector.
“It would be grossly unfair to make racing participants foot the bill for mismanagement of parties outside their influence”.
So much for Acting RQ CEO Ian Hall’s suggestion, or recommendation, of cross-subsidisation.
Mr Katter then went on to dissect the $4mn loss by Racing.
“It is important to note that the Stradbroke prizemoney this year was $2mn, the Magic Millions race day at the Gold Coast is set to receive $35mn over the next seven years, and the Eagle Farm track renovations have come to $22mn.’
Mr Katter also fired a shot at the disparity in costs of starting a horse between the city and the bush. He said country racing participants pay $173 while competing for only $4,500 prize money.
“Their city counterparts pay only $225 when their first prize money is $45,000.
“I think a perfect illustration of that disparity is that the Magic Millions race day carries $10.2 million in prize money which is the amount it costs to fund all of country racing in Queensland for a whole year.”
“Racing in the west is on wobbly wheels and we can ill-afford to lose any more race dates and more importantly race clubs,” he said.
The decision of the fate of the 300 country clubs in Queensland is expected to be known at the end of the month.
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..
