Letsgohorseracing - QLD & REST

Details: Published: 06 February 2013; Created: 06 February 2013

THE Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) Board today (Wednesday) resolved to amend the manner in which a betting market is assessed for the purpose of distribution through the Australian Prices Network.

For all Saturday metropolitan race meetings, the betting market to be distributed through the Australian Prices Network will be assessed with reference to both on-course bookmakers and other licensed wagering operators.

Details: Published: 06 February 2013; Created: 06 February 2013

MACKAY'S leading horse trainer for the past five years, Stuart Kendrick, is shifting his racing stables to the Sunshine Coast.

CHARLIE PAYNE reports in the MACKAY MERCURY that Kendrick, who has more than 30 horses in his stable, recently opened a satellite stable at Deagon in Brisbane.

But he will move that and his Mackay base to Caloundra over the next couple of weeks.

Details: Published: 31 January 2013; Created: 31 January 2013

IN a landmark decision for freedom of the racing media and a major embarrassment for Racing Queensland Chief Steward Wade Birch, the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), has overturned a prejudicial conduct charge against licensed trainer and journalist Terry Butts.

Birch, the golden boy of the chief stewarding ranks in Australia, steadfastly refused to accept that Townsville-based Butts, whilst working as a racing journalist for the North Queensland Register and letsgohorseracing website, could not be dealt with as a licensed trainer under the Rules of Racing.

Even after the former Head of Integrity at Racing Queensland, the much despised Jamie Orchard, took a ‘golden handshake’ and departed the scene, Birch argued that the ‘Silks & Saddles’ column, was not an expression of Butts’ opinion but that of trainer Darryl Hansen, whose criticism of the swabbing procedure at RQ did not attract the same attention from stewards.

Details: Published: 18 January 2013; Created: 18 January 2013

THOROUGHBRED Racing SA has announced that Chairman of Stewards Graham Loch is stepping down after 11 years in the position to take up a new role with the Macau Jockey Club.

Mr Loch will take up the role as Director of Racing and Acting Chairman of Stewards after finishing at TRSA in late February.

TRSA Chief Executive Jim Watters paid tribute to Mr Loch, who joined the Stewards Department in 1991 and was appointed as Chairman of Stewards in 2001.

Read more: SA CHIEF STIPE OFF TO MACAU

Details: Published: 14 January 2013; Created: 14 January 2013

THE Queensland Jockeys' Association (QJA), in conjunction with the Brisbane Racing Club (BRC), high profile racing and media personalities are sponsoring a benefit day for Charles Geoffrey Pratt to be known as CCC Day (Charlie's Cancer Cure day).

Charlie was diagnosed with Leukaemia at the age of two and a half and has been undergoing treatment now for nearly 18 months.

The Pratt's are a well respected and long standing name for generations and synonymous with Brisbane racing.

Details: Published: 14 January 2013; Created: 14 January 2013

THE Magic Millions carnival will be held in state-of-the-art facilities from next year with confirmation the tender process for stage one of the $35 million upgrade is down to the final three and work will commence next month.

DANIEL MEERS reports in the GOLD COAST BULLETIN that Racing Queensland will decide on a construction company by the end of January and have ordered the successful company to have work completed by October -- well before next year's carnival.

The news capped off a bumper weekend for the Gold Coast Turf Club after more than 16,000 people descended on the track and wagered a whopping $1.9 million through the on-course tote.

Details: Published: 31 December 2012; Created: 31 December 2012

NEW Zealand's horse racing community is reeling after its first track death in seven years.

TEUILI FUATAI reports on the NEW ZEALAND HERALD that jockey Ashlee Mundy died on Monday morning after falling from her horse at the Kurow Race meet near Oamaru on Sunday.

Three separate investigations are underway into the death, which happened just days after the 26-year-old returned home to New Zealand to celebrate Christmas with her family.

Details: Published: 28 December 2012; Created: 28 December 2012

GAI WATERHOUSE has returned from her summer holiday and set her sights on the Magic Millions carnival where she will be a big player on and off the track.

CHRIS ROOTS reports in the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD that Saturday provides the ideal lead-up to the Magic Millions Classic on January 12 and two-year-olds' races in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney will provide a clearer picture of the contenders for the $2 million feature.

Waterhouse could have up to seven runners at the Gold Coast. Certitude, which was fourth in the Wyong Magic Millions to Assail, and Rockford, third at Gosford on Thursday, have completed their preparations.

Details: Published: 29 November 2012; Created: 29 November 2012

LEGISLATION has been passed for a new-look racing industry in Queensland and the appointment process is about to begin. The only real concerns emanating from some in the industry relate to integrity and some of the identities being tipped for key positions.

Revelations made under Parliamentary privilege during debate on the Racing and other legislation Amendment Bill 2012 were very damning for the previous Bob Bentley Board, especially over the golden handshake controversy and the key roles now enjoyed by Malcolm Tuttle and Paul Brennan at a company that was awarded major contracts by the former RQ.

Below is the extensive Hansard debate from the Queensland Parliament.