GREG HONCHIN HAS HIS SAY ABOUT THE QUEENSLAND TURF CLUB

WE received this letter from Greg Honchin, a long-time employee of the old Queensland Turf Club, who was then forced to transfer to a key role with the new Queensland Principal Club when it was established.

Mr Honchin later parted company in controversial circumstances with the QPC through no fault of his own and says that he has been ‘snubbed’ by the QTC despite giving them years of loyal service and by an industry that ‘treats those on the outer like lepers.’

Here is his letter:

“I write to request that you allow me to make my feelings public on the ‘letsgohorseracing’ website.

Employed by the Queensland Turf Club for some 20 years, I began my working experience with the club as office boy rising to that of Racing Secretary in effect deputy to the then secretary, David Laing.

Throughout my time with the club my duties other than the official side were varied, e.g. Clerk of the Scales, Time-keeper, Assistant Judge, Judge and Promotions.

When the promotions grew following highly successful winter carnival meetings the club decided to employ a part-time person to assist, namely Col Thompson followed by Angela Belle McSweeney and then Jim Anderson, who became the first full-time promotions officer.

The committee had nothing but praise for my overall performance in this field, none more so than the then chairman of the Promotion Sub Committee, Bill Sexton.

Like many others I was pleased to learn that the Queensland Turf Club was going to produce a book highlighting the history of the club.

I waited in anticipation for a phone call to allow me to tell my account of what had occurred during my time there. One of many events that come to mind was a Melbourne Cup meeting that was Brisbane’s first phantom race meeting. While the majority of the committee and David Laing were in Melbourne, it was left to me to ‘chair’ this particular meeting.

Unfortunately the call did not come and I became increasingly annoyed at the names of certain people who had been invited to share their thoughts even though they had not been employed by the club or had only been in the industry for a relatively shorter period than I had.

To my further disgust I read in Bart Sinclair’s column (in The Sunday Mail) on October 4 2009 that many of the officials who had played a role in racing at Eagle Farm had been invited to a function book launch on Saturday, October 17, but this did not include me.

I am extremely disappointed as it would appear that my involvement within the industry, particularly with the Queensland Turf Club, was a complete waste of my time.

Suggestions that no-one knew of my whereabouts are laughable as I was easily found when served with a subpoena to give evidence in a court case regarding centralized handicapping.

Given that I have been overlooked on many occasions for various racing positions and then been refused tickets to attend Eagle Farm race meetings should dispel the myth apparently held by some that ‘Honchin is a QTC man.’

Like everybody else I can only await for the book (covering the history of the QTC) to go on sale and I hope through your web-site that I can respond in detail to its contents.”

GREG HONCHIN

Editor’s note: We would be delighted to run Mr Honchin’s account of his days at the QTC – warts and all – the untold story of what happened behind closed doors at the club, especially during the Fine Cotton and Caffeine Crisis eras. It should make a good read.