IN his popular weekly column, SILKS ‘N’ SADDLES, in one of Australia’s leading rural newspapers, the North Queensland Register, TERRY BUTTS reports on more injustice being dealt to country racing by Government bureaucracy and officialdom.

This column, courtesy of the newspaper, is reproduced below:

‘FOR 70 years, literally hundreds of families, some residing as far away as Melbourne, have made the annual trek to Mt Garnet in North Queensland for the May Day weekend of racing and raging.

They also come for the Sunday rodeo that has long enjoyed a rating as one of the best in Queensland. But now, remarkably, there is a very real fear that the Mt Garnet races might be in its last year – a victim of the so-called racing reform.

Heading the list of killjoys responsible for the demise of such iconic events and carnivals are the bureaucrats and decision-makers of the Workplace Health and Safety, who have (according to Queensland Racing) made demands that country race clubs are finding hard to meet. According to long-time former president Kevin McDonald, Mt Garnet is just one of those clubs.

Apart from the requirements for new running rails and other modern facilities deemed necessary by QRL/WPHS for many of the once-a-year race meetings around the State, there is another ogre.

State Licensing has deemed that only mid-strength beer and mid-strength spirits can be sold on-course.

The club has also been instructed by the same bureaucrats that they must spend up to $25,000 on security. That is the real monster.

The all-voluntary Mt Garnet Club raises most of its revenue from the bars. It has never charged camping fees, but this year has been forced to do so – simply to help finance the police presence and security personnel. The club expects a downturn on numbers, fewer campers and fewer horses.

Mr McDonald also pointed out that Townsville has a TAB meeting scheduled for the very next day, a clash that is likely to impact on both meetings.

“Garnet is not looking good for this year, and really, I have grave doubts about the future,” said Mr McDonald, the man who has spent a virtual lifetime, and thousands of hours – all voluntary – promoting and running the May Day weekend at Garnet.

* * *

WHILE most in the industry believe safety is of paramount importance to horses and horsemen, some of the demands of QRL and WPHS seem a bit over the top.

I have yet to meet a trainer who has refused to take a horse to the races because of a crooked running rail, or because of the bough-roofed horse stalls. And how many jockeys have made an official complaint about bush track facilities?

The annual race day for some of these little clubs is their only community event. These salt-of-the-earth and well respected ‘bushies’ don’t need the Brisbane-based bullies waving a big stick at them.

It’s also amazing that WPHS has targeted racecourses. What about the rodeo grounds around the country? Are they subject to the same scrutiny? The same question can be asked about licensing and security requirements at other sporting events other than racing.

Why are only race clubs singled out with this ridiculous no-kids-allowed and mid-strength beer only policy? Frankly, it is nothing but bureaucratic bullying at its worst.

One can only hope those decision-makers are in the same firing line when there is a change of Government. The LNP has vowed to rectify the wrongs in racing administration – and has promised do it very quickly.

* * *

TALKING of the LNP, the Member for Burdekin Rosemary Menkens has expressed grave concern over the new legislation introduced last week in Parliament that afforded additional power to QRL.

“There is much devil in the detail and an amendment clearly states that the new control body, Racing Queensland Limited, has the power to make policies and give directions to how a club is to deal with its assets, including its real property and intellectual property rights,” she said.

“The Bligh Government has set up this self-serving juggernaut which was also the concern of southern racing folk.

“A new clause has been entered confirming this control body has the power to enforce an entity to dispose of an interest in real property and a condition may include a stated portion of the proceeds be paid to the control body.”

I suppose Albion Park would be worth a few quid these days. And perhaps we now know why that $11 million block of land ‘sold’ by the Townsville Turf Club was blocked by QRL.

What now? Is it still for sale now that the Queensland Government or QRL can share the spoils? What do you think?

Mrs Menkens meanwhile has urged all club committees to voice their concerns before these amendments are adopted.

Mind you, her own local track Home Hill might be safe from the claws of QRL. The track is owned by the Burdekin Shire Council. That’s a relief!

* * *

ALSO on the doubtful list is the Townsville Amateurs, once regarded as the best two-day event outside the metropolitan area.

The embattled club lost its reserves in the EI saga and has now lost one of its race days, and the prizemoney grant from QRL has been halved.

The club is getting no sympathy from Bentley and his board, which hasn’t officially answered president Chris Rennie’s plea for extra money to stage a $100,000 cup this year to mark the 100th anniversary.

"They gave Cairns $100,000 for its 50th anniversary a couple of years ago. They didn’t even reply to our request,” said a disappointed Mrs Rennie. “We’ll read it somewhere.”

* * *

PLANS for the centenary Brunette Downs race meeting and associated social activities are well in hand, and the club is expecting a big influx of visitors as well as horses for the big two-day event in June.

Horses go to the paddock on May 5 and secretary Sue Brooks is confident of capacity fields for all races over the two days. The races are restricted to horses bred in the territory, usually of station stock, although there is an open class 3 on the first day.

This is the only race open for ‘southern’ horses, but once they participate at Brunette, they are ineligible to compete on any other registered track in the country.

Their future racing will be restricted to Hart’s Range and Renner Springs race days. Same with jockeys. No registered jockey may ride. But those restrictions won’t stop big fields and any number of riders – male and female.

And the way things are going in country Queensland, don’t be surprised to see similar racing spring up on tracks that QRL seems hell-bent on closing. Interesting!

* * *

SPARE a thought for the real bush trainers who prepare their horses on remote stations miles away from regular race tracks.

One example is Pentland’s Arthur Harrison, who had to leave home at 3am to bring a horse to the official jump-outs at Cluden last Friday.

Stewards had demanded a barrier certificate, so Arthur turned up at Charters Towers last Saturday. But there is a requirement for a minimum of three horses to trial and Arthur couldn’t find another two.

So he went home and then all the way back to Cluden last Friday – just to get a barrier clearance.

 

‘SILKS ‘N’ SADDLES’ COLUMN COURTESY OF TERRY  BUTTS AND ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S LEADING RURAL NEWSPAPERS, THE NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER. TERRY BUTTS can be contacted by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..