IN his widely-read column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published by the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer TERRY BUTTS questions why all the positives to emerge from a meeting between TAB clubs and the new-look Racing Queensland weren’t revealed in a Media Release.
Butts also reports on the success of the Rockhampton Cup carnival where the only downside for some was the track. He talks of the need for work to be done at Cluden and looks forward to a race meeting at Laura in far North Queensland this weekend.
Here is the Butts column:
INDUSTRY DESERVES TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING AT MEETINGS WITH RQL
SURPRISINGLY there was no Media Release from the all-important meeting of Racing Queensland and the TAB clubs last week.
Considering the news that has leaked from the get-together, which is all positive for the industry, one wonders why RQ doesn’t want to trumpet what the new Board is doing.
We hear most delegates to the meeting came away pleased with the discussion.
“It was like a breath of fresh air,” said one.
And Alan Parry the long time Townsville Turf Club Chairman, said it was the best, meeting he had with RQL in 14 years. Some wrap!
The clubs were told they are free to operate as they think best but that the Board will always be there to offer advice.
There will be no more dictating. There will be a new system for allocating race dates. Expect more Sunday racing - it will no longer be the exclusive domain of Caloundra.
In other words, the new RQL is there to help and adjudicate – not to dictate.
Little wonder there was mention of a ‘breath of fresh air.’
And the other snippet of good news for the beleaguered bookies is that they will no longer be slugged fielding fees.
Only exes for the satchel swingers will be .033 per cent turnover tax.
Reckon that might even put a smile on the dial of ruthless fielder Ken Ferris who really hasn’t had a decent laugh since Mt Isa (he was the playing captain-coach) won the Aussie Rules grand final in the 60s.
MOST POPULAR ROCKHAMPTON CUP WIN IN RECENT TIMES
‘IT was without doubt one of the most popular Rockhampton Cup wins ever – in recent times at least.
Hometown hero Writer, surely one of the most honest and consistent horses to grace a country racecourse won and not a single person, punter, or anyone associated with racing, would have begrudged the win.
Writer made it 14 wins from 36 starts (he was placed in another eight) under the guidance of his regular jockey Adrian Coome and withstood all the challenges to win handsomely and land some pretty hefty wagers.
He is trained by young David Stafford, a member of a long established family of racing people with a proud record of achievement and history in Central Queensland.
It was a superb effort by horse, jockey and trainer, who no doubt will eye off another city campaign with the rising seven-year-old that has now been placed in each of his last seven starts.
There were hard luck stories, as always in big races, but none more critical than trainer Bill Kenning who saddled up the fourth horse Alotta Spur.
“The jockey did the exact opposite to what I told him to do. I reckon he cost me plenty,’’ said Bill. “I told him to swoop, as is her racing pattern, and he tried to get up the rails and hope for runs that weren’t there.”
As it was last year when Lyle Rowe landed the Cup with Cannyclimb, locals dominated.
Ironically, it was Rowe’s Red Story who finished second on Saturday for a hometown quinella.
NSW visitor Prussian Secret was third coming from a hopeless last at the 600m.
THE TRACK CUP UP PRETTY BADLY CONSIDERING THE MONEY SPENT ON IT
OTHER visitors didn’t get a look in on a track that cut up pretty badly considering the money that has been spent on it and the relatively small amount of rain that fell in the 24 hours before Cup day.
It is an issue that the Rockhampton Jockey Club might consider as a matter of urgency.
However, according to CEO Denis Cox there are no concerns. “There was not one jockey who complained,” said Denis and his views were backed by Chief Stipe Luke Collins.
Perhaps I spoke to the wrong jockeys and trainers who were adamant the track was “no good on the outside and was a slow 6 at best for the last couple.”
Of course everyone has and is entitled to an opinion.
Other than that it was truly a great day and the club did everything to make it such.
HOW BINDING IN THE AGREEMENT RJC ENTERED INTO WITH BENTLEY BOARD?
WE also believe the club has some other important problems associated with its track and the costly maintenance it requires.
Those costs, in the past, were borne by the Racing Queensland under a financial agreement it entered into with RQL.
But how binding is that contract or agreement? That is the issue.
And of course Rocky is not alone. There are other major provincial clubs locked into a similar financial arrangement and whose operating costs were highly subsidized.
But we are no longer marching to the Bob Bentley beat, and what seemed a great deal for Rockhampton, Mackay and the Sunshine Coast at the time may have soured somewhat.
New RQL chairman Kevin Dixon attended Newmarket Day last Thursday and discussed at length the predicament.
There is still hope for an amiable and suitable outcome but everything of course depends on the dollar.
SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE URGENTLY TO CORRECT CLUDEN TRACK
AND talking of tracks, RQL, as a matter of urgency, must answer the call of the Townsville Turf Club for remedial work to be carried out at Cluden.
Fancy the last three races abandoned on Saturday - a month before the Townsville Cup - because of a dangerous section near the 700m.
Jockeys were not happy. Of course the drizzling rain didn’t help – but surely something can and will be done to have Cluden in better condition for its carnival that officially starts on Saturday.
It is critical. And time is quickly running out.
DOUBLE STANDARDS WHEN IT COMES TO THIS OUTRAGEOUS RACING LIQUOR LAW
PLENTY of action on again this weekend as the northern winter carnival continues.
It is Jupiter’s Family Day at Cluden when everyone is encouraged to bring the kids for a great day out.
It begs the question however. How come it is OK to take the kids on Saturday but they are barred on Cup day?
It’s this outrageous law that keeps mums away as well as the kids. It is just so wrong.
Why should the sons and daughters of trainers, owners and jockeys, the racing people of tomorrow, be barred because a few under-age bogans might drink on track.
If they do (and will) surely they should be dealt with by the relevant authorities.
Make offenders responsible for their actions. Don’t penalize the club with threats of outrageous fines if anyone on their track drinks under age. That’s just pure bull dust – and totally unfair.
Will there be underage drinkers at the V8s next week? Can a one-legged duck swim in circles?
Were there underage drinkers at the footy last Saturday at Dairy Farmers?
Catch the law breakers don’t penalize the law abiding.And by the way – does this law only apply in Queensland? Haven’t we just had a change of Government?
LAURA ATTRACTS HORSES FROM FAR AFIELD FOR A UNIQUE RACE MEETING
FURTHER north, the tiny town of Laura on the edge of Lakeland National Park, comes alive with its famous little race meeting this weekend.
The population swells from 80 to 5,000 on Cup week and they come from miles around.
I am told it’s something totally different.
And this year there will be horses from as far away as Forbes in NSW.
Trainer Bill Hayes is already camped on course with his team escaping the freezing wild winter of inland NSW.
And he has brought internationally renowned jockey Matthew Cahill to do the riding. They tasted success at Cairns last Saturday and hope to get some more exes at Laura.
Oh, and the weather wasn’t the only attraction. Of course they brought their fishing gear.
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..