IN his weekly ‘SILKS ‘N’ SADDLES’ column in the North Queensland Register, TERRY BUTTS suggests: THERE’S never a dull moment in the racing game – always something happening, always different.

Last week, we had the Australian Trainers’ Association (or at least some of its members) siding with Queensland Racing Limited against the Gold Coast Turf Club for putting up fees for the use of its training facilities.

On face value, the massive hike looked way over the top. You wonder how owners and trainers of horses on the Coast could possibly accept it.

I am told it was a ploy to draw attention to the fact that the GCTC is sick and tired of financing the costly maintenance of its track and training facilities – particularly when Gold Coast supplies a large percentage of runners for the Brisbane metropolitan meetings each week of which QRL is the main benefactor.

Maybe it was another way of saying to QRL that it had an obligation to the industry to maintain all the tracks from the money it grabs from the TAB turnover.

Remember, it was the expenses of keeping Cluden’s racing and tracks up to scratch that virtually sent the Townsville Turf to the brink of bankruptcy.

Many in the game believe QRL – with a reputed $42 million in cash reserves – has a duty to keep the tracks in shape.

And if that was so, the charges levied by the Gold Coast and the excessive costs of keeping a horse on-track in Brisbane would not be necessary.

At present, only one thing is certain – the battle of the heavyweights, QRL v GCTC (and other clubs), is not over yet. We believe there could be few heavy punches still to be landed.

There could even be a KO. Especially if Premier Anna decided it was time to step into the ring.

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BY the way, Rockhampton Jockey Club still hasn’t signed off on the equity sharing deal with QRL. Nor has Toowoomba.

Apparently the RJC committee can’t agree wholeheartedly with the deal and is due to meet on Thursday night to thrash it out.

Down in NSW, it seems the future of the game in all dependent on the outcome of the long-running court case between Racing NSW and the corporate bookie Sportsbet and the questionable Betfair, which frankly was about the last thing the Australian racing industry needed, punters aside.

Racing NSW is confident of victory against the bookies and says a win would pump many millions into its coffers.

Interestingly, CEO Peter V’landys is talking of spending $70 million on training tracks and infrastructure around the State.

Country prizemoney currently marked at $9,000 per race will increase to $15,000. All Saturday city races will be worth $100,000.

The downside is he is talking 2012. And it’s all subject to the court case.

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PETER V’landys is highly respected as a racing administrator, but he is copping plenty of flack from people in high places over his proposed code of conduct for trainers in the State, which he describes as a ‘great media beat-up’.

Under the new edict, trainers will be required to “maintain the highest standard of sportsmanship and professional conduct” (Vasil v Cassidy).

Another requirement under threat of suspension, fine or disqualification is that trainers must not use disparaging or derogatory comments when talking of racing officials. Oops.

Gai Waterhouse described the plans as “disgraceful”. “It is the most outrageous thing I’ve seen in years. No trainer will sign it. Its effects include civil liberties,” she said.

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THE Parry Nissan in Townsville might be a month away, but already it seems our top two-year-old Steel Dragon will be missing from the line-up. He has done too well against the cream down south for connections to drag him back to take on the locals again.

There’s even talk of a campaign in Sydney for the undisputed king of the northern babies, which is good news for connections of other aspirants.

But his former trainer Ray Long is not without a strong hand in this year’s race, judged on recent form. His Buddyboney was extra impressive winning last week at Cluden and he has a couple of others that are likely to tackle the race.

No doubt the flying Barcaldine filly Fanciful will make the trek back following her good efforts at Cluden and, of course, there will be riders from the south.

But if pre-race confidence is any guide, the Innisfail youngster (with the unusual moniker) Been Broke Before could be the one. Jockey Jason Stopps simply won’t hear of it being beaten..

BBB chased home Fanciful at big odds last month and then bolted in with a Maiden at Atherton. It’s a big step from a Tablelands Maiden to the Parry Nissan – but Stopps is not the slightest concerned.

Though he denies the horse is named after him, Stoppsy is brimful (note: brimful – not rimful!) of confidence and should have a bit of an idea of what it takes to win the glamour two-year-old event.

He has won the Nissan previously on Roseneath Dancer carrying the same Brian Bevan colours that are sported by BBB.

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AND talking of being broke before and veteran jockeys climbing back off the canvas, Roy ‘Butch’ Mules rode a winning double at Emerald on Saturday and there wouldn’t be a solitary soul who would begrudge it.

What a great comeback for the Mackay-born and bred (one of 13 kids in the family), who has made more of them (comebacks) than that other famous ex-Mackay resident, Dame Nellie Melba.

He is wag of great proportions – in fact, a master of many things, not the least the art of race riding.

‘Butch’ has probably suffered more broken bones than Nellie had high notes (I almost said boyfriends) in all those years of riding, and there wouldn’t be a bush track where he hasn’t landed a winner – nor a country pub, for that matter.

The boy loves the bush, the battlers and is very fond of a beer.

Good on ’im!

‘SILKS ‘N’ SADDLES’ COURTESY OF TERRY BUTTS AND THE NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, one of Australia’s leading rural newspapers.

Terry Butts can be contacted at e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..