THE Morning Bulletin reports that Queensland Racing chairman Bob Bentley has not surprisingly congratulated members of the Rockhampton Jockey Club and the committee on their ‘foresight in favoring a joint partnership proposal’.
Racing writer Tony McMahon quotes Bentley as saying: “I’m elated. This is the way of the future. QRL will honor our commitment to ensure racing and training facilities at Callaghan Park are kept to the highest possible standard.
“Nothing will change overnight, but it will change. We already see a need for more stabling.”Bentley said further meetings would be held with working parties from both the RJC and QRL in coming weeks to progress the proposal. He was hopeful it could be implemented by July 1.
The Morning Bulletin claims that the economic viability of horse racing in Rockhampton is assured after an overwhelming majority of members of the Rockhampton Jockey Club (RJC) voted in favour of endorsing a proposed joint partnership with Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) into the ownership and management of Callaghan Park racecourse.
Some 75 RJC members attended the closed special meeting at Callaghan Park on Monday night whereby the press was not allowed, with the vote favoring a partnership deal with QRL signing off at 48 to 27 which represented about 64 per cent in favor.
The proposal first floated by QRL about two months ago means it will ultimately manage and fund the turf and training tracks, ground and maintenance staff, stabling barns and all training facilities.
In return the RJC will benefit from a QRL funds injection worth approximately $2 million as well as being relieved of all future expenditure on the upkeep and maintenance of the track and employment of ground staff.
This would free-up the RJC to concentrate of promoting, enhancing and fostering the pure racing product of the sport and industry in Rockhampton.
RJC treasurer Jim Mason, addressing the gathering on the financial side of the for-and-against, told the members’ meeting he supported the QRL proposal because it “financially ensured the profitable basis for the continuance of racing in Rockhampton”.
“On my budget figures the RJC could expect a surplus from between $250,000 to $300,000 annually through the partnership with QRL,” Mason said.
“On the other hand, on the figures I have extracted and worked on, the RJC by rejecting the proposal could only expect to be in a break-even situation after three years.
“This would come about by having to maintain the tracks to QRL standard, as well as an extra two staff.”
On Mason’s figures, the RJC stood to be better-off to almost the tune of $1 million within four years of joining forces with QRL.
Mason said a number of finer points involving leasing conditions and other financials relating to the intricate details of the proposal had to be dotted and crossed.
As well, there will have to be another special meeting of members so as the club’s constitution can be changed to allow for the proposal to be finalised.
The consensus of opinion from industry stakeholders at Callaghan Park training sessions yesterday morning; owners, trainers, jockeys and stable hands, was one of relief that a positive outcome between the two parties had been achieved for the benefit of racing.
STORY COURTESY OF TONY MCMAHON AND ROCKHAMPTON MORNING BULLETIN
