THAT ‘FORGETFUL ERA’ AT QUEENSLAND RACING JUST WON’T GO AWAY

THE response to the Horsing Around column this week by Godfrey Smith, on what has been referred to as a ‘forgetful era’ for Queensland Racing, touched a few raw nerves and certainly caught us by surprise.

We didn’t realize how deep the feelings still run on the way some ‘dumped’ QR staff were allegedly treated back then and the affect it has had, not only on their own lives, but also that of their families and close friends.

Here is a cross-section of the responses to the column entitled: ‘The Pot Plant Police – Queensland Racing’s Answer to Candid Camera,’ which can be read by clicking on the ‘Horsing Around’ icon on our Home Page:

WHEN IS A LIFT HOME NOT A LIFT HOME?  IN THE BAD OLD DAYS OF QR!

‘I AM very close to my niece who grew up with horses and when the opportunity arose for her to secure a job with Queensland Racing our close-knit family was absolutely delighted.

‘At the start she worked with some wonderful people and loved the job but then a new regime came into the place. We could see an emotional change in her but she was encouraged just to do her work and not to get involved in the politics of the place.

‘She fell out with a fellow worker who was apparently on-side with the new powers-that-be and from that day on she hated going into the place and just wanted to leave. She told us that this person had told fellow workers that she loved partying and other things that I had better not mention..

‘It reached the stage where the woman targeted my niece’s job and told others in the place that the boss of that department had promised it to her. It was too much for my niece to handle and she walked away. That woman eventually got her job and there is a lot more I could say about the circumstances but for legal reasons I have decided not to.

‘My niece still suffers from the trauma of the latter part of her time at QR. I will just tell you one story in conclusion. One day she was quite ill and needed to go home. That trip involved getting to the train, which was a long walk from QR then catching a bus.

‘She didn’t have enough money for a cab and rather than endure the train and bus in her ill state she asked a male departmental head she had come to trust for a lift which he kindly provided. The woman who hated her watched the two of them leave the building together.

‘The next day my niece was called in and quizzed about why she left with this man and was asked if he had propositioned her on the way home. She warned this person that they were out to get him and eventually they did. The circumstances of that are also quite alarming.’ – Name & Address confirmed but with-held by request.

 

REBUILDING A CAREER ISN’T EASY WHEN THE ‘WHITE-ANTS’ ARE AT WORK

‘I want to tell you the story of a good friend of mine, Greg Honchin, a former Chief Executive of the Principal Club (as it was then known), who was another victim of a political regime that some claim continues to control racing in Queensland.

‘Greg grew up loving racing and spent his early working life with the Queensland Turf Club where he became very well respected and graduated to become second in charge to long-serving chief executive, David Laing. The formation of the QPC as the control body saw Greg agree to switch to that organization.

‘Eventually he was rewarded for his service with the chief executive’s job at the QPC and worked very hard in numerous key roles in an under-staffed organization and for a Board that back then was chaired by Bob Bentley. But his loyalty was rewarded with a swift kick in the teeth that was to change his life.

‘To put it bluntly, Greg was white-anted and stories did the rounds that he was leaking information back to his old employers, the QTC, who were on war footing with the QPC in the wake of the takeover of industry control.

‘This eventually cost Greg his job – he was basically forced out, thrown to the wolves with no great redundancy package and even less thanks from an industry he had served so well for so long.

‘But it didn’t end there. Greg has since been unable to secure work in his chosen field of horse racing – He believes that the white-anting has continued. Here is a wasted talent that for almost two decades has sat idly on the sideline while some of the biggest dills the sport has seen have taken jobs that he applied for and was better credentialed to fill, but for some strange reason never got past first base.

‘When this book – ‘A Ring-In Called Integrity’ – is written I hope the author sits down and spends some time with Greg Honchin. He has a story to tell, that no-one in the industry – politically or administratively – seems interested in listening to, that would make one hell of a good read.’ – Max Kerr, Redcliffe.

 

OUT-SOURCING OF LEGAL & MARKETING WORK A COSTLY EXERCISE

‘I HAVE been very closely associated with Queensland Racing, its stakeholders and have witnessed first-hand some of the events that have occurred over the past decade that were nothing short of scandalous.

‘I know the guy who is planning to write the book, ‘A Ring-In Called Integrity,’ know that he is closely involved with your web-site and whilst at times, I felt he was his own worst enemy because of his links with QR chairman, Bob Bentley, I also watched as they systematically destroyed his career.

‘We have seen for so long that legal costs are no barrier when QR wants to fight something. It’s easy when you’re not spending your own money. I wish him the best of luck with his book but they will produce every legal trick to prevent it from ever being printed. It’s too hot to handle.

‘Some years ago I remember being confidentially shown by a high profile executive at Queensland Racing the legal and marketing bills for the out-sourcing of work. It absolutely astounded me.

‘I was surprised to see one ‘legal mate’ of QR being paid almost $100,000 for one lot of work, when there was a highly paid lawyer on the staff.

‘I also saw an invoice for marketing and research for several hundred thousand dollars. I have since learnt that two consultants to that company were high profile racing and Government people.’ – Name & Address confirmed and with-held for obvious reasons.

 

OPPOSING VIEWS TO QUESTIONS ANSWERED AT QRL ANNUAL MEETING

WE received dozens of e-mails in response to the questions answered – or otherwise – by chairman Bob Bentley at the annual meeting of Queensland Racing. What we didn’t appreciate was the abuse received in some because the answers given weren’t what they apparently wanted.

This web-site has decided to run only two of these e-mails, of opposing views, the first of which stated:

‘JUST when we thought there was a section of the racing media that might have the balls to ask the hard questions and fight for the right answers, we were let down badly.

‘Having read the weak response from the QR chairman and seen the lame reaction from your supposedly hard-hitting web-site, we can only assume that you must be on the pay-roll like the rest of the racing media in Queensland.

‘What a croc of crap from ‘Builder Bob.’ They tell us you had to have a special invitation just to attend the annual general meeting and that the stakeholders who did get an invite were virtually hand-picked. Did they have some poor guy there holding up an ‘APPLAUSE’ sign every time he uttered a few words of wisdom?

‘The figures he provided on legal fees can’t be right nor can the cost of the feasibility study for the new racetrack complex that was proposed for the Gold Coast. Sure, he answered your questions, but he has again treated the industry with contempt.’

Then there was this one of an opposing view:

‘NOW that Bob Bentley has gone to the trouble of answering the political war-lords from the old QTC, who still harbor a born-to-rule mentality, perhaps they will finally butt out and let him get on with what he does best – running racing in Queensland.

‘If Peter Gallagher was hailed a modern-day hero for his work at the QTC, then Bob Bentley should be granted a Knighthood for what he’s achieved at Queensland Racing. I am amazed at his capacity to survive the continuing and unwarranted attacks on his credibility.

‘Let’s face it. The best thing that could happen for Queensland Racing would be for his old ally, Neville Stewart, to join him on the Board of QR. And for those who are choking on their porridge at the QTC retirement village – like it or lump it guys – they’re here to stay.’

EDITOR’S NOTE: We have confirmed the identities of both e-mail senders but surprise, surprise, neither was prepared to put his name where his mouth is. As for this web-site or the racing media of Queensland being on the pay-roll of QR, that is quite insulting. I might add that why shouldn’t the racing media be entitled to be paid for their expertise? After all, the precedent has been set by some prominent lawyers and consultants involved with racing.

 

QUESTIONS CONCERNING BOARD SELECTION PROCESS AND LEGAL COUNSEL

WE received a couple of e-mails concerning the new Queensland Racing Board selection process and asking if any action had been taken against QR Corporate Counsel, Shara Murray, in the light of the comments by a Supreme Court Judge in the Bill Andrews Civil Action.

In relation to Ms Murray, QR chairman Bob Bentley told this web-site that he believed the questions were inappropriate. He feels it is an internal matter and does not believe it is any business of this web-site, the racing media or the industry in general.

As for the new QR Board selection process, we understand that the highly-respected KPMG has been appointed the new Recruitment Company and that the original list of 26 applicants have been asked if they want their details forwarded to KPMG.

The time table for the selection process will see a short list forwarded by KPMG to QRL on Friday, December 4 then the CVs of those on the short list sent out to stakeholders the following week with the vote to take place on Monday, December 21 prior to the appointment notification at finalization of the annual general meeting that afternoon.

 

QR SET TO CHALLENGE DECISION OF APPEALS BODY ON AMY TAYLOR

THE FINAL e-mail this week concerns an appeal by jockey Amy Taylor against a six week suspension imposed by stewards over her ride on a horse at Toowoomba.

It reads: ‘At a time when Queensland Racing is under fire over the amount being spent on legal bills we have a silly situation involving jockey Amy Taylor.

‘Amy was suspended over a ride on a horse that was found by the veterinarian to have a chipped bone in its knee. This evidence saw her subsequently win an appeal against a six week suspension.

‘The First Level Appeals body felt it would have been fraught with danger to dismiss the appeal in view of the veterinary evidence which showed the horse had a problem.

‘Now we hear that Queensland Racing is going to spend more on legal fees by appealing the decision of the First Level Appeals body. How silly – and more to the point how costly – is that?’ – Gladys Tomlinson, Darling Downs.