THIS web-site continues to listen to what our readers have to say and has introduced a ‘Wednesday Whinge’ where you can express your feelings on racing industry issues of the past week. Try to keep them objective. Just e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

THE e-mail box this week was highlighted by the concerns over the joke status that racing in Queensland is developing into under the new regime which is instructing stake-holders not to talk to this web site claiming that will put us out of business. They should worry about their own backyard instead of ours. The way things are going at RQ we will well and truly out-live them. There were also e-mails about the farcical ARB proposal to give lady jockeys an allowance; questions why Hugh Bowman was treated so leniently in a recent overweight fine imposed by Sydney stewards; questions on drug funding and many more mainly Queensland racing related whinges which we encourage you to send to a media outlet that will not be censored or silenced by the new powers that be in the north.

Here is this week’s selection with apologies to those who missed out.

 

OWNER AND FORMER OFFICIAL RECKONS THE NEW RQL SMELLS LIKE A ‘COUNTRY THUNDERBOX’

‘CAPTAIN Thunderbox should be the name of the new leader of the boys pack at Racing Queensland.

Well a month on and the new RQL looks like a Country Thunderbox and smells like one too.

The door to the Thunderbox has been locked shut and the stench is increasing with silence and in-active Board members and politicians.

‘Can Do Nothing’ should be the term here unless you are at a certain paper......only good for use in the Thunderbox that is now RQL.

The new Racing Minister has spoken of Integrity and nothing has happened.

Maybe the LNP should do something and appoint a person who can run a multi-million dollar business..Clive Palmer would certainly not take any crap and seems to know how to make a dollar.

The ‘lucky flies’ have escaped the Thunderbox of the new RQL Regime.

I also read with interest the report link on LGHR website and saw the losses from clubs like that formerly run by the new Chairman of RQL.

And his buddy at Toowoomba – no wonder he gave them a free handout to help pay some bills.

So there will be no roses to smell with this Regime.....just a further stench of hidden agenda's from the Thunderbox – and apparently no policing from the new Racing Minister and his office.

Good luck to owners and trainers thinking things will change.

How can a multi-million dollar business be run with No Business Plan in place...surely the LNP knowing the whitewash that was inevitable would have had at least a draft?

I read the Toowoomba Turf Club Committee want to go back to grass....that's great but will they pay the trainers and owners who spend money travelling there when races get washed out?

Will the Toowoomba Committee also compensate the social clubs that also book for a twilight meeting and have a meeting washed out?

To me it all looks like one big joke and the joke is on all of us that spend our hard-earned continually supporting an industry that does not support the people.’ - Anthony Burke, Toowoomba (soon to be an ex supporter of Racing in Queensland and following my friends to NSW and Victoria to race horses).

EDITOR’S NOTE: And to think I had some dill write in during the week and claim that the war was over and that there was no legitimacy to the e-mails of criticism that we had been running. Hope you can get someone to read this too you dickhead. Supporters of the new Racing Queensland hierarchy can paint all the rosy pictures they like and point all the fingers of criticism they like at the way the industry was run in the past but the fact remains that the Integrity Department appears to have been disbanded. Until the promise of the new LNP Government of a separate Integrity structure, outside the realms of RQL, is established with some competent investigators at the helm questions will continue to be raised about how serious the Kevin Dixon Board is about policing racing in Queensland which is far from squeaky clean on or off the track. With all these sackings in Integrity it is time the new Racing Minister Steve Dickson or the RQ Chairman Kevin Dixon told the industry and more importantly the punters who they want to bet on the local product what the hell is going on.

 

MEDIA BARRED FROM PARADE YARD TOOWOOMBA – WILL IT APPLY TO JOCKEYS’ ROOM IN BRIBANE

WE ALSO received this alarming item posted on Facebook by a concerned racing photographer:

‘Sorry everybody no more photos from Toowoomba. Today they barred media from the parade yard. You try to help country racing by promoting them, but I guess you can't flog a dead horse. For those at Toowoomba I apologize and I suggest you complain to the Board at TTC. I believe there are motives for this and God help the racing industry in Queensland if it continues on to other clubs.’ – Dan Costello’ EDITOR’S NOTE: As this only arrived overnight we have not had a chance to check out the reasons for this decision. We will take it up with Toowoomba Turf Club Chairman Bob Frappell but there is no point expecting a quick answer as he will have to check with RQ Chairman Kevin Dixon to see if he is allowed to respond to us.

PROPOSED CLAIM FOR LADY JOCKEYS MAKES ANOTHER MOKERY OF THE ARB

‘IF ever there was clear indication that the Australian Racing Board had outlived its usefulness then the proposal to provide lady jockeys with a claim has to confirm it.

This toothless tiger has become an even bigger non-event than when these silly whip rules were introduced. Now some dill has decided that lady riders should be given a claim.

Imagine the situation if Claire Lindop, Michelle Payne, Linda Meech or Lisa Cropp were saddled up with a hefty weight pull over their male rivals. They would be winning just about every race on the program.

These women hold their own with the best of the men as it is. Linda Meech rides over 100 winners in Victoria every season. Lindop, Payne and Cropp have Group wins to their credit.

Jockeys’ Association boss Des O’Keefe couldn’t believe it when he heard the proposal not could many of the lady jockeys he contacted.

But he does see a positive from it and that is a boost for the claims of lady jockeys for paid maternity leave while they are out of the saddle like happens in other industries.’ – Gavin Lane, Melbourne.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Although it was only a discussion paper one has to wonder if anyone’s actually home at the ARB. Here’s what a couple of key industry figures in Victoria had to say about this proposal:

TRAINER TERRY O’SULLIVAN: A 2kg claim for jockeys like Linda Meech, Michelle Payne and Claire Lindop would be close to cheating.

TOP JOCKEY CHRIS SYMONS: Do you think if I wore a dress to races I would get a 2kg claim?

 

WHAT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN ACHIEVED BY THE DIXON RQ BOARD SINCE IT TOOK OVER?

‘IT would be nice to read an objective report – no hope of that in the Brisbane racing media – on what has been achieved by the new Racing Queensland Board since they took over from the Bentley outfit.

From what we have seen so far there has been a few million dollars thrown the way of the Chairman’s former club, a few hundred thousand gifted to his good mate’s club on the Downs and a deal with bookmakers which is a shade hard to follow for some of us.

Of course we forgot to mention the midweek prizemoney but that came out of the QTIS purse which seems to have been reduced for what was formerly promised when the TAB Privatization agreement was done and is seems to be now $1 million less overall.

We keep hearing – from The Courier-Mail at least – that the RQ cupboard is all but empty. Well those coffers are in for a nice slush fund courtesy of the bookies’ fees on turnover and the money that seems to have been saved on QTIS.

Apart from that the Bentley Board insists that there was close to $10 million in the kitty when they departed. Perhaps this audit of RQ, whenever the results are revealed, will provide the industry with some details.

Then we have the virtual removal of the Integrity Department and its staff – so a quite deal has been saved in wages there – which should go a long way to paying the $900,000 five-year contract of an ageing steward to return home.

On top of that there are two less Board members than was promised – so those fees are not being spent – nor is the funding that the industry would obviously have received for the Ministerial Advisory Committee that was expected to be named the week after the election but still remains a mystery.

So at the end of the day if someone can inform the industry just what this new Board has achieved in a short time for racing in Queensland we will all be much the wiser.’ – As I am an official of a high profile club I would ask that my identity be with-held.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Thank you for your contribution sir but do you realize that you are breaking ranks and that there is an instruction from the RQ Chairman not to send e-mails to this web site. We were gob-smacked to hear from a prominent racing identity during the week that letsgohorseracing has been black-listed. It had to happen I guess when they had no luck in censoring us. As long as people are prepared to provide us with the information and criticism in future, as RQ is playing dirty tricks where we are concerned it is now open slather for people to have their identity with-held provided we know who they are and that their e-mails are legitimate. So here’s our message to officialdom. Ignore the RQ chairman if you want to have your say and we will protect you by running it anonymously. It was never our plan to take this stance but if RQ wants to play dirty then we are just as happy to accommodate them. The industry deserves a voice that they are not being given in the mainstream racing media. You can always rely on websites like LGHR and justracing to get your objective message across.

 

BACK-FLIP BY RQL COULD SEE A PROMOTION FOR OFFICIAL TIPPED TO BE DUMPED

‘ANOTHER insider from your spy in the Deagon Bunker and we can report that the new brigade has apparently done a complete back-flip in relation Facilities Maintenance and Development Manager Warren Williams.

Only weeks ago he was among those said to be on the hit list and way out with the new Board. Now the mail is strong that he will take over from Paul Brennan as Operations Manager.

Williams, who came to RQ from the BRC during the Bentley era, was said to be at odds with the new Chairman. The story goes that those fences were mended by the BRC official tipped to replace him as Facilities Maintenance and Development Manager.

The cupboard is now pretty bare in the Integrity Department. All of the Orchardists men are now gone and it was with regret to many that Paul McIlveen, a respected investigator and former policeman, joined them last week.

Not sure who’s minding the Integrity store at present unless young Wade is at the helm there too. The rumor mill is rife that his back is full of daggers thrown by those who were told their jobs were safe, the latest behind McIlveen.

Still no word on a new CEO but the way RQ is looking decidedly like the old QTC and new BRC these days Stephen Ferguson continues to shorten for the job – after he relinquishes his top hat and tails from Royal Ascot (have you seen the photo of him doing the rounds)?

Not much more to report from the bunker except that one of those keeping his head well and truly down with stories doing the rounds about him pending demise is the TAB Thoroughbred Racing Manager.’ – Your Spy in the Deagon Bunker.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Keep the information coming ‘Spy.’ We’ll have to put you on the pay-roll. The industry deserves to know what’s going on behind closed doors. All they get at present is the propaganda that the local fish and chip wrapper supplies.

 

‘RQL IS LIVING IN DREAMLAND IF THEY THINK BOOKIES’ INITIATIVE WILL DO THE TRICK’

‘Whilst the little this new initiative (the Queensland Bookmakers’ Support Scheme) achieves is no doubt welcome, to think it will turn around racecourse attendances and bookies’ holds is a bit of a dream.

In the last decade betting on the net has turned racecourse betting on its head and a much bolder approach is needed.

How about leveling the playing field fully for on-course bookies by allowing them to bet pre-post with the corporates and the Fair and to bet as well as lay with the Fair – and to operate ‘in-Play.’

Bookies who have already backed a horse will then be able to ‘crush’ it back on-course and perhaps be able to give the punter the benefit of a better price seeing they can get to set a better book.

The punter has left the course because of a much better product available off-track.

A little bit of help to Queensland fielders won't result in any improvements in the diabolical percentages bet on course.

I believe Racing faces a bigger challenge against Sports Betting. The younger generation of gamblers are probably more familiar with the NRL, Golf or Cricket than with the nuances of racehorse form and odds and if they start trading sports and betting in-play etc, how does Racing attract them let alone on-course bookies?

Earlier in the year we had the Court win by NSW Racing which supposedly benefits all racing participants (all except the punter that is). Now a belated micro move to protect the Queensland on-course bookie.

Everyone who makes a living out of racing has representation – the guy upon whose money the whole industry is dependant is on his Pat Malone.

Computerization/On-Line betting has come from nothing a decade ago to become an overwhelming force in all forms of betting today.

If RQ want to allow bookies to ‘prosper,’ as they put it, and to ‘enhance the race day experience for punters,’ they need to do something much bolder than what they have proposed.’ – Jeff Tartt, Rockhampton.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I have had a heap of phone calls and e-mails Jeff from stake-holders asking if I can explain this inititive as they don’t understand the Media Release that was made on the issue. Some claim it was instigated by the BRC where bookmakers’ fielding fees have been a bone of contention for some time. Others claim the Scheme will just create a ‘slush fund’ for RQL to distribute to who they see fit. I haven’t got a clue. All I know is something needs to be done to assist struggling on-course bookmakers in Queensland.

 

MORE FUNDING DESPERATELY NEEDED TO CLEAN UP DRUG USE IN RACING INDUSTRY

‘IF the racing industry in Australia wants to clean up drug use then there has to be funding made available for better detection and importantly the testing of every starter in every race.

There are widespread rumors about the use of EPO or its derivatives in gallops and harness racing in this country that suggest it is virtually undetectable.

But times are changing and the more progressive states are pouring more money into drug detection. Perhaps they should start by sending some experts to study the use of this drug in France where it seems to have originated.

There can never be too much money spent on drug detection if we want to try and keep racing in Australia relatively clean.’ – Glen Watkins, Perth.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an item that appeared on Perth Turf Talk recently:

Do a quick search on the internet and you'll find pages of information on doping in sport and racing. Some sites quote hundreds of derivatives of EPO, almost all undetectable.

It seems that in humans, cycling is at the forefront of the devleopment and useage of these new drugs and with the equine athlete, harness racing seems to lead the way.

ITPP (myo-inositol trispyrophosphate) is a drug that was developed in France in 2005 for the benefit of human heart patients. Tests done on mice  with damaged hearts showed that their exercise rate increased by up to 35% when they took the drug dissolved in water and up to 60% when injected into the abdomen.

The drug is thought to have been widely used in American Harness Racing.

Late last year, The Pennsylvania Harness Horseman Association made a generous donation to the University of Pennsylvania to begin work to find a method of detection for ITPP which indicates the early warning signs were coming from within the harness racing ranks.

Last month, Harness Racing NSW disqualified Cantebury trainer Tim Butt after freezing samples and sending them to Hong Kong, with confirmation tests in Perth - the only two jurisdictions that were testing for the excess in arsenic that were detected in his pacer's swabs. HR NSW has doubled its integrity budget, after the corruption scandal involving stewards in that state. This allowed for more money for swabs to be frozen and sent interstate and overseas for testing.

Arsenic is thought to be a component of ITPP, with Butt's legal representation arguing the contrary.

The NZ Racing Board has also just approved an increase in funding to send samples overseas for testing. That included just last month, sending off a batch of hand picked samples out of frozen storage after studying betting patterns, form reversals, trainers stike rates and word of mouth anecdotal evidence.

No longer are jurisdictions limited to the testing procedures available in their own back yards.

Recently, a group of scientists from the Racing Laboratory at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, developed a method of detecting ITPP in equine urine and plasma. Their conclusion reads that the tests can unequivocably detect ITPP and the method showed fast turnaround, adequate sensitivity and good precision and recovery.

Unfortunately, the news for drug cheats is all bad. Authorities have taken a stand in most jurisdictions to increase funding for drug detection and drug testing. Other jurisdictions have introduced hand testing units, which will counter the ability of drug cheats to get away with their trade at outer country tracks.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has been instrumental in bringing about the latest testing and is the only jurisdiction in the world that tests all its horses, a place no doubt the remaining racing authorities around the world would like to be. Lack of funding, unfortunately is the problem.

 

POLLIES AND RQ BOSSES SHOULD GET OFF THEIR BACKSIDES TO END THIS LICENSING FARCE

‘I read with interest the Terry Butts’ piece on the annual meeting at Laura especially concerning the number of kids that were in attendance.

As a licensee who wants his family to be able to attend on big race days I cannot understand how this is possible at Laura but at the major venues you cannot take your kids along.

Terry reported that kids were ‘very much VIP at Laura races’ and so they should be everywhere if our industry is to welcome in a future generation of race-goers and fans.

He also referred to them being ‘locked out on big days by the so-called bigger clubs and treated like lepers’ which they are.

The politicians have had plenty of stay about improving the lot of racing in Queensland since the last control body was shown the door.

Well can some of them tell us why our industry is being discriminated against on this Licensing issue while kids in their thousands attend other major sporting events like motor racing, football and rodeos where alcohol is just as freely available?’ – As I am a licensed trainer I would ask that my identity not be revealed.

EDITOR’S NOTE: As I mentioned last week when Ray Stevens looked like becoming Racing Minister in the new Government he promised to move immediately to have this ridiculous and discriminatory rule overturned to help racing but nothing has happened. Here’s a statement from a popular politician in the far north made at the Laura meeting lat weekend where liquor licensing was not a problem:

The Member for Cook and Assistant Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Affairs, David Kempton, said the Laura Amateur Turf Club was a great example of how country racing makes such a significant contribution to regional Queensland’s economy and culture

Mr Kempton made the comments at the annual Laura race day on June 30, which was the most successful yet with about 3000 people in attendance.

“Country racing is the glue that holds rural communities together. Apart from the important social element the races provide jobs and a huge boost to the  local economy" Mr Kempton said.

He was very impressed with the large number of young people who attended the weekend

There are more than 120 clubs throughout Queensland, and like Laura most of them are in regional and country areas.

The racing industry supports about 30,000 people in employment and gives communities enormous economic and social benefits as well.

That’s why the Newman Government is looking to reinvigorate country racing in Queensland through real commitments such as: providing $4 million over the next four years to support the funding to country racing that is already guaranteed by the Racing Act; providing another $5 million over two years to support the Queensland Thoroughbred Investment Scheme, which will free up much needed funding to boost prize money; and establish a Clubs Cooperation Scheme so the smaller country clubs can benefit from the resources and expertise of the larger regional clubs.

“This represents the best deal country racing has received anywhere in Australia,” Mr Kempton said. “Queensland racing under the Labor government turned its back on Laura.

It is no surprise that the people of Cape York pushed on regardlessto malke the Laura races the iconic event they are today.

“I was pleased to note that Racing Queensland has already acted swiftly on the back of these commitments to increase country racing prize money from September 1, 2012, from $4000 per race to $5000.

“This is a real win for country racing and the people and communities it supports,” Mr Kempton said.

 

COMMENTS MADE ABOUT NEVILLE STEWART ON QROA BOARD WERE A ‘LOW BLOW’

‘COMMENTS made about Neville Stewart in last week’s Wednesday Whinge are unfair.

Neville departed from the Toowoomba Turf Club because of significant personal issues which those in the industry know and still feel the heart wrenching disappointed for his family.

Toowoomba Turf Club was in a sound financial position. It was innovative and is placed to play a very important role in Queensland racing.

I have recently resigned from the Queensland Racehorse Owners’ Association committee as my racing and breeding operation needs my time.

I hope to be able to complete the bio-security projects started whilst a committee member as these are very serious issues for racehorse owners and as my science background will be missed on the committee I have offered to complete these.

I believe the new committee members Neville and Alan will contribute much for owners.’ – Dale Anderson, Toowoomba.

EDITOR’S NOTE: No-one can question the credentials of Neville Stewart in racing. He spent 21 years as Chairman of the Toowoomba Turf Club and left the club in as sound a financial shape as any in Queensland. He also spent 14 years as chairman of the Downs and South West leaving it with substantial funds in the bank. When he left the TTC it was following a family tragedy and of his own accord. The QROA and racing in general can only benefit from his decision to accept a position on their Board, especially in the current closed shop climate.

 

KEN CALLANDER WAS SPOT ON WITH HIS CRITICISM OF THE HUGH BOWMAN PENALTY

‘I want to congratulate one of the few racing columnists in the country who is prepared to say what he thinks even if it risks getting high profile identities off-side.

His criticism of the Hugh Bowman fine for being over-weight at Rosehill last Saturday was spot-on. This occurs far too often in racing these days.

But more to the point did the penalty fit the crime? Of course it didn’t. I don’t know if I would have gone to the same extreme as Ken suggested but he was certainly on the right track as far as us punters are concerned.

Keep up the good work mate’ - Neil Smith, Randwick.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Here’s the item that Neil is referring to by KEN CALLANDER in his SYDNEY TELEGRAPH column this week:

HUGH Bowman was fined $1000 at Rosehill on Saturday for a blatant breach of the rules that may have cost punters tens of thousands of dollars. I could not believe it. I think a more appropriate fine would have been $50,000 or a month's suspension.

A $1000 fine for a jockey pulling in half a million a year is laughable. Bowman earned more than double that for riding the first winner of the day, Grand Business.

The fine was incurred for Bowman weighing in more than 1kg overweight after riding More Rocco in race seven.

More Rocco was advertised to carry 55.5kg and that is what punters believed he would carry when they backed him. Bowman stretched an accepted half kilo allowance to its limit by weighing out at 55.9kg, but then weighed in after the race at 56.7kg.

More Rocco finished fourth, a length and a half from the winner, Kirinata, and a half to a maximum of three quarters of a length behind the third horse, Earnest Ernest. Under the age old form system of allowing one length for three pounds (1kg is equal to 2lb3oz) Bowman's indiscretion may well have cost More Rocco third place.

If it did it cost each-way punters tens of thousands of dollars not to mention what it cost trifecta and first four punters.

Bowman is a terrific young man and a great ambassador for racing. He had been sick during the week and in a lengthy career this is his first offence for such a breach, but that is not the point.

Firstly he accepted rides and secondly he admitted to having a drink after he weighed out. He knows the rules, if it is going to affect his weight he cannot do that.

I am well overweight and I sympathise with jockeys who put themselves through torture to maintain a weight that enables them to follow their chosen profession.

However, Corey Brown told me several months ago he doesn't have sympathy for big jockeys and is against the continual rise in the minimum weights.

"I can't be a basketballer because I am not big enough and yet these blokes keep wanting the rules changed so they can be jockeys," is the way Brown put it.

 

CRITICISM OF THE DECISION TO FINE CHRIS MUNCE $400 FOR CELEBRATING HIS MILESTONE

‘HAVE any of these stewards in Queensland or other parts of Australia for that matter ever watched the finish of even a run of the mill race in Hong Kong?

The jockeys over there – and they are some of the best in the world – virtually rise from the saddle in a celebratory gesture after every race. If not they certainly make some form of salute to the crowd.

If stewards in Hong Kong – and several of them are top Australians I understand – adopted the same practice that occurred on home soil the club would be reaping a fortune in fines.

To fine Chris Munce $400 for his victory salute on Belltone which not only won a feature sprint but also provided this wonderful jockey with a career milestone and a riding record in Queensland was just outrageous.

There is a safety factor that has to be abided by but there was never a chance that Munce was in danger of falling off or causing harm to anyone else for that matter.’ – Ernie Morris, Brisbane.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Safety is always the issue with stewards in Australia when they impose these fines. I, too, felt the stewards could have taken into account what the occasion meant to Chris at the Sunshine Coast but rules are rules I guess.

 

FAVORITISM CLAIMS GETTING A REAL AIRING AT NEAR BRISBANE TAB TRACK

‘YOU might remember how the racing industry at a near Brisbane TAB track was up in arms over the race gifted to a short priced favorite after the rules were bent by Racing Queensland.

Well it seems they have one rule for one owner and another rule for another owner.

The same situation occurred – or virtually – at another recent meeting (there was actually one more acceptor) but on this occasion there was no bending of the rules.

Ironically it involved another high profile official of the club but this one is not as close to the powers that be as the other one who got a nice leg up.

But that’s the way it seems that racing in Queensland is now going to be run.’ – Name and address with-held by request.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I just hope whoever is leaking this information after instructions being given from higher up at RQ has a nice contract. If he doesn’t then as soon as a replacement can be found I am sure he will be let off the leash at Deagon.

 

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in the above e-mails should not be interpreted as those of JOHN LINGARD, the owner of the letsgohorseracing web-site. That is why he has added an ‘EDITOR’S NOTE’. Every endeavor is made to verify the authenticity of contributors. We welcome any reasonable and constructive responses from parties or individuals.