Letsgohorseracing - Silks & Saddles

Details: Published: 18 March 2013; Created: 18 March 2013

IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published by the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer TERRY BUTTS has written a wonderful tribute to one of the real characters of country racing in Queensland.

Rex Robinson, who died recently on the Sunshine Coast hinterland, will best be remembered as the ‘man in the sugar bag suit.’ Stories about him are legendary as are many of his punting exploits involving some of the biggest plunges landed in country Queensland

Butts also reports on a prominent punter whose investments have been cut to $8 by Bet365, which promotes itself as the biggest corporate betting agency in the world, all because in a short time he proved too successful.

Here is the Butts column:

Details: Published: 11 March 2013; Created: 11 March 2013

IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published by the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer TERRY BUTTS reports on worrying signs for the QTIS sale at Magic Millions on the Gold Coast this week.

Organized groups from the country are down in numbers blamed largely on the lack of confidence in the future of the racing industry in Queensland where prize-money remains at a stand-still and there are no signs that it will improve significantly.

Butts also reports on the growing rift between city and country trainers over Workcover; how a prominent Brisbane trainer reportedly described his country colleagues as a ‘bunch of grubs’ and why boom North Queensland apprentice Braydn Swaffer has decided to quit the city and return home.

Here is the Butts column:

Details: Published: 04 March 2013; Created: 04 March 2013

IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published by the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer TERRY BUTTS reveals how there is growing discontent among trainers on the Darling Downs over plans for a new Strathayr track that will only accommodate 12 runners from the 1200m starting point.

Butts also raises industry concerns about the interim Board making decisions such as spending millions on a new track for Toowoomba and a new grandstand complex for harness racing at Albion Park.

His column also confirms that star South Australian female apprentice Lauren Stojakovic has accepted an invitation to ride at the big Parry Nissan meeting at Cluden.

Here is the Butts column: