THIS web-site continues to listen to what our readers have to say and has introduced a ‘Wednesday Whinge’ where you can express your feelings on racing industry issues of the past week. Try to keep them objective. Just e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

THE hottest topic in the e-mail box during the past week was the Danny Nikolic dramas and the controversy that continues to haunt racing in Victoria. There were a number of other interesting contributions, ranging from the reasons why Racing Queensland aren’t interested in replying to questions about its finances from former Board chairman Bob Bentley and a slanging match between Bentley and the Toowoomba Turf Club chairman Bob Frappell. Moves continue from racing organizations determined to silence this column and our website. We will continue to publish matters of interest to the industry and the racing public and will not be intimidated or threatened because we won’t join the mainstream racing media and write only want some officials want.

 

OUR NEW WEDNESDAY WHINGE FEATURE – THE GOSSIP, THE THREATS and THE WANKERS!

IT would seem the powers-that-be in one major racing jurisdiction are prepared to spare no expense in taking unprecedented action to stop the publication of news that is in the interests of the public and the industry.

Unrealistic demands, perceived intimidation and threats of litigation are being made in an attempt to silence a website that the control body is prepared to use much-needed industry funds to silence.

They maintain a story used contained information that breached the Corporations Act and obviously think that they can bully the publishers into handing over details of where it came from regardless of whether it was provided in the interests of the industry or not.

 

SOME of those who attended the Industry Awards Night in Brisbane last Saturday are dining out on the reported promise by a high profile racing identity that many thought was a bad joke.

During a speech the individual concerned apparently boasted that under the new hierarchy and Government a few years down the track Brisbane racing would be on a par with Melbourne.

Even if the reports are half right this has to be the racing Mission Impossible of the decade.

 

THE dust-up between a top trainer and leading jockey was the gossip of the track at Doomben on Saturday and it will be interesting to see if he ever rides for this top stable again.

We are reliably informed that the matter reached the hands of the RQ stewards but to our knowledge there has been no official report.

This isn’t the first time that the duo have locked horns – this time over a midweek ride on a beaten favorite – so it will be interesting to see if they again kiss and make-up. We are tipping they won’t.

 

SEVERAL complaints were received that we didn’t mention in our Post Mortem of Saturday racing the massive form reversal by O’Reilly’s Prize at Warwick Farm.

One week earlier the Gai Waterhouse-trained galloper had finished seventh, beaten more than six lengths when well in the market at Rosehill. It comes out seven days later and bolts in.

The reason we didn’t mention it is that form reversals in Sydney are so common-place that we have become a bit complacent and virtually expect one for the big stables almost every week.

A point to make about O’Reilly’s Prize is that it did have to work the previous week whereas on Saturday it got an easy lead and ran sectionals that made it impossible to run down which happens too often in Sydney these days.

 

INTERESTING story doing the rounds in Victoria about a high profile media identity who has made a complaint concerning an alleged threat.

The incident apparently involves a controversial licensee and what was allegedly said after a story was written that was critical of him.

Whether it will be handled by the Racing Integrity Commission Sal Perna or the police remains uncertain.

 

WE are pleased to report that it was just a misprint and there hasn’t been a change of heart from the new LNP Government.

In the September edition of the Racing Queensland Magazine, Wayne Milner and Bradley Ryan have again been included as members of the Board of Directors.

They did definitely resign a few months back and we are reliably informed that there haven’t been replacements made for those positions as was promised after the election.   

 

AT-HOME punters are still far from happy with the ‘Dividends Service’ being provided on the SKY Channel outlets – or perhaps the lack of information would be more to the point.

After some races they just fail to run the dividends according to the e-mails we are receiving. Critics say the service is nothing short of ‘slack.’

But the biggest bone of contention remains the Running Doubles which are just ignored on many occasions or once you get close to the end of the day’s racing SKY runs the words ‘Others Quoted’.

This website campaigned for a better deal for running doubles punters for almost 12 months without success and got treated like crap by SKY Channel. Our advice is switch to TVN – it’s a far better coverage anyway.

   

THERE were several complaints received that the Queensland Racing Industry Awards night clashed with the Far North Queensland Amateurs in Cairns.

The general feeling was that many people who would like to attend the Awards Night were unable to do so – some of those who are regular visitors to the far north for the annual carnival who also like to go along to the Awards Night.

 

WE are reliably informed that a prominent racing identity in the north has made a corruption complaint that is being investigated by the Perna Inquiry in Victoria.

It involves happenings in Queensland racing some decades back but it seems there are no territorial boundaries to the investigation in the south nor is there a statute of limitations on what has happened in the past.

If the matter is fully investigated there could be some key people – past and present – from racing in Queensland asked some very tricky questions. And for one of those it will occur at the end of his career on the front-line of the industry in Brisbane.

  

IT was bound to happen when you have two key people in a racing jurisdiction with the same name – albeit spelt differently.

Spare a thought for our mate Terry Butts from the North Queensland Register who was chasing information for his popular Silks & Saddles column.

Butts was told by a reliable source – a prominent politician – that Racing Minister Stephen Dickson was a notable absentee from the Cairns Amateurs and that Racing Queensland chairman Kevin Dixon did not attend either because he had an ear infection and couldn’t fly.

The source had his Double Dees mixed up. It was Stephen Dickson who had the ear infection and couldn’t attend not because the pain of more stake-holders getting into his ear would have been too unbearable but because he was advised not to fly.

Kevin Dixon was in fact there and we are reliably informed was wined and dined by the club in the hope that they could convince him to help with some much-needed track repair financing. Shades of Russ Hinze – full them full of chardonnay and hope for the best. 

 

Here’s this week’s e-mail selection with apologies to those who missed out for legal or other reasons:

 

VICTORIAN JOCKEYS SHOULD BE HUNTING NIKOLIC INSTEAD OF SUPPORTING HIM 

‘THE Australian Jockeys’ Association boss, Des O’Keefe, keeps telling us that the morale of his members in Victoria is at an all-time low.

Well Mr O’Keefe, whose fault is that? Instead of supporting their colleague Dan Nikolic they should be taking steps to hunt him out of the industry.

The racing industry in general has had enough of Nikolic’s behavior and attitude to stewards. If he is found guilty of these allegations of threatening the safety of Chief Steward Terry Bailey and his family then ‘Dan the Man’ should be warned off for life.

We haven’t mentioned the ‘race fixing’ allegations, some of which he seems to be at the centre of. Any jockey that is found guilty of being involved in this sort of business needs to be made an example of.

It is time that Mr O’Keefe and the AJA started taking steps to improve the morale of the jockeys in Victoria instead of showing support for those who one could argue are at the core of their problems.

As a close friend of a high profile jockey riding in Victoria I can tell you that since Nikolic has been stood down, awaiting the outcome of his appeal against that ban, the morale in the jockeys’ room has never been better. Enough said!’ – Brad McAlister, Melbourne.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Now that serious charges have been laid against Dan Nikolic over the Terry Bailey incident at Seymour it is best not to comment on the outcome. Below are extracts from a story on the Nikolic ban that no doubt prompted the above e-mail:

‘NIKOLIC gave his version (of what was said to Terry Bailey at Seymour) to fellow riders, but after Ben Melham, Craig Robinson and Brad Rawiller spoke with stewards and Jockeys’ Association boss Des O'Keefe, they agreed to continue to ride.

Des O'Keefe said the jockeys' decision not to strike was in no way taking sides with the stewards.

O'Keefe said the morale of jockeys overall was ‘the lowest I have seen’ but said they will not strike this Spring Carnival.

“From the top down there is absolute concern that their integrity is under suspicion,” he said of the on-going inquiries by the Integrity department, Victoria Police and stewards into alleged race-fixing.

“The riding group as a whole is extremely concerned not only for them but for the industry as a whole.

“The sooner these things are resolved, the better.

“If we don't have transparency and integrity we have nothing. But we need this matter to get resolved quickly and correctly so as few riders are dragged into it (race fixing inquiries).

“If you don't have due process, you have a rabble.

“But what we do need is the rules to be enforced and implemented in a totally professional manner,” he said.

O'Keefe said standing down a jockey during a race meeting wasn't the way to go.

“Any problems from yesterday don't get sorted out by not riding in races seven and eight. They get sorted out after the races and this morning.”

O’Keefe said his decision to advise jockeys to continue riding at Seymour should ‘not to be interpreted as a lack of support for Danny Nikolic, just that there are better ways to resolve these things.’

 

DON’T BLAME BAILEY FOR A SITUATION THAT STARTED DURING THE GLEESON ERA

‘AT the Seymour races last week an incident occurred that gravely concerned most racing folk one way or another.

On the 25th August last top journalist John Silvester reported in the Melbourne Age newspaper and I quote:

“Just four years ago, a report on racing integrity by former Judge Gordon Lewis found that criminality in the industry was rampant.”

This was during the period of the unflappable Chairman of Stewards Mr Des Gleeson when three former police officers attached to his department controlled the integrity of racing in Victoria.

On the 18th August, a week prior, journalist Silvester reported the following facts:

“And then there is Danny Nikolic. IF THE POLICE HAD THEIR WAY DANNY WOULD BE BANNED FROM RIDING A HORSE ON A CAROUSEL let alone in the Spring Carnival.

He has been questioned over the Samba matter (he is not considered a suspect)but has been charged with multiple assaults (including allegedly attacking a policeman) and is under investigation for race fixing.”

I find it absolutely amazing that reporters of the standing of Andrew Bensley, the odd interstate racing scribe and of course wonder boy from TVN – Bruce Clark - are blaming the current Chief Steward, Terry Bailey, for not settling Nikolic’s problems by ‘sitting down and sorting out their differences’.

Clark even went as far as questioning Bailey’s right to go to a Tuesday race meeting where Nikolic was riding. 

Within a couple of days Clark changed his attack from the Integrity Department for not taking Nikolic’s license off him to criticizing them because they had the gall to send the Chief Steward to a Tuesday race meeting at the provincials where poor Danny was riding in two races.

Could one go as far as suggesting that Bailey’s presence upset someone’s plans?

As for that character O’Keefe from the Jockey’s Association – well I put him in the same bracket as Clark.

Little wonder the joint is as bad as it is with O’Keefe and the Judge hearing the appeals seen together at the races and having the odd ‘cuppa.’

Former Chairman of Stewards Gleeson was a compassionate person and dealt with a lot of issues over a cup of coffee.  Perhaps had he been a little firmer with Danny when he was great mates with Tony Mokbel things may have been different.’ -

Steve Browne, Melbourne.

EDITOR’S NOTE: You do make an interesting point about Steve about these problems arising during the era when Des Gleeson was chairman of stewards and had strong police presence when sections of the media were highlighting the criminal element involved in racing in Victoria. I have been bagged in some quarters for my support of Terry Bailey and declaration that he is the best steward in the land. I would like to endorse a column item written by KEN CALLANDER in the SYDNEY TELEGRAPH this week which reads:    

‘IT was good to see the Victorian Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board get behind chief steward Terry Bailey this week in his battle with jockey Danny Nikolic.

Melbourne is lucky to have a steward of Bailey's competence and integrity in charge. Although still in his 40s, he has vast experience.

Originally from Rockhampton, he was first fast-tracked by John Schreck, a man who knows how to spot talent, and during a stint in harness racing Bailey was given credit for cleaning up the then struggling trotting industry in Victoria.

I probably criticise stewards more than anybody, but when everything is taken into account, particularly the amount of evidence required today to oust a guilty party, we are lucky to have the stewards we have.

I think the Sydney panel, chaired by Ray Murrihy, and the Melbourne panel, chaired by Bailey, are the two best stewards panels in my time in racing.’

 

GREAT EDITORIAL BY THE RACING BITCH ON THE CONTROVERSY IN VICTORIAN RACING

‘SOME weeks ago I sent your website an article from a controversial column emanating from Hong Kong and known as the Racing Bitch which pulls no punches when it comes to the industry in Australia.

Because very few followers of the sport in this country would have access to the Racing Bitch I was wondering if I could indulge on you to again reproduce one of their articles – even in a précised form, because it relates to a matter of extreme concern and interest to most of us – the corruption allegations confronting racing in Victoria.

The Racing Bitch might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I do believe that apart from your Wednesday Whinge and a couple of other web sites that are prepared to have a go – like the Queensland-based justracing.com.au – we are basically treated like mushrooms by the mainstream racing media.

I have attached a copy of the item I am referring to from the Racing Bitch in the hope that you will indulge me again and run this in the Wednesday Whinge.’ – Bernie O’Sullivan, Sydney.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Here is an edited version of what the Racing Bitch had to say about the situation in Victoria which does make for interesting reading:

‘IT gets more bizarre by the week. Arguably, the race fixing scandals – the biggest to strike at the heart of thoroughbred racing in Victoria – have developed into a weekly soapie crime series.

The scandals are almost racing’s own version of the top rating Australian crime show Underbelly, which has spawned several spin-offs. It is within the realms of possibility that one of the future series of Underbelly will have a racing theme.

This week, began with another front page report in Melbourne’s Age newspaper’s investigative unit reporting and naming a Perth millionaire businessman and racehorse owner, Peter Jones, a close mate of Danny Nikolic, and a part-owner of Bolton, winner of the Victoria Gold Cup at Caulfield last February, one of the races being retrospectively investigated by Racing Victoria stewards.

Jones is named in the Age as having allegedly won $70,000 on the infamous Smoking Aces race at Cranbourne in February 2011, the race which is at the centre of the race-fix scandal, which Victoria Police stumbled across while investigating the murder of Les Samba, the former father-in-law of Danny Nikolic. Jones, from what we have been told, is a big and fearless punter, well connected in the racing industry.

If The Age story did not add more fuel to a fire that is threatening to engulf Victorian horse racing, then what transpired at Tuesday’s Victorian country meeting at Seymour was the accelerant that racing did not need.

It is no secret that the relationship between Danny Nikolic and Victorian Chief Steward Terry Bailey has degenerated into a last man standing version of racing’s own Ultimate Fighting Championship. The incidents at Seymour clearly demonstrated how brutal and dangerous their feud had descended into.

Bailey’s version of the events and allegations of Nikolic’s perceived threats to his family, and the ferocity of the exchanges, have clearly brought Victorian racing into disrepute.

Whilst witnesses to the exchanges in question appear to be as rare as a lyrebird sighting, there is little doubt that Bailey would have zero to gain from manufacturing a story in relation to the verbal fisticuffs and alleged threats from Nikolic.

Bailey, if anything, has been described as an old fashioned steward whose single-minded task is to clean-up Victorian racing. The Everest-like obstacle he faces is that where the sums of money involved are as large as claimed, and with some strong degree of authenticity, the criminal element that has infiltrated racing will go to hell and back to protect their derrieres and their lucrative investments.

Bailey’s phone call to the Victoria Police and his liaison with the crime busting Purana task force, demonstrates how threatened he would have felt and the seriousness of the incidents.

Thursday’s Herald-Sun newspaper front page headline said it all: ‘I know where you live’, with a tabloid sized photograph of Danny Nikolic and the alleged comments attributed to him. Great headline, and very much in keeping with News Limited style. Needless to state the bleeding obvious, the damage is done and the perceptions spin further out of control.

Danny Nikolic’s name seems to bob up with monotonous regularity in the newspaper headlines when it comes to horse racing, and just about every time for the wrong reasons. He is serial headline for the media.

Talk to the widest cross-section as possible in racing and they will tell you that there is no longer any place in racing for Danny Nikolic. His own colleagues in the jockey ranks will privately tell you that they have run out of patience and sympathy for him. Many are enraged at the damage Nikolic’s many run-ins with officialdom, his private stoushes with the law, and the latest allegations, have bequeathed to their profession.

Unlike those in their profession who have transgressed and resurrected their careers, Nikolic’s appears to be in free fall. He appears hellbent on trashing his riding career and taking others down with him.

With every unwanted headline and every allegation of race-fixing and criminal activity, the image of racing takes a bigger hit. The wounds get deeper. The healing process takes longer.

And to make matters worse, the Governing Body, Racing Victoria’s mute silence and failure to lead from the front, is indicative of an organization that is bereft of a strategy to protect and defend the integrity of the industry whose destiny it is supposedly in control of.

Apart from the pathetic protestations that if race fixing has (past tense) been a problem, it is only an isolated one, there has been no attempt to seize the initiative and reassure the wider racing community or for that matter an increasingly nervous State Government and its opponents or the general public that Racing Victoria is firmly in control and will act post haste and decisively to address a problem which is REAL and at the same time on a greater scale that was first imagined.

Somewhere in the pea soup fog that has developed around this issue, the very uncomfortable question that has to be posed is this: If there are so many races (five at the latest count) reportedly being retrospectively investigated, why did they slip under the radar of the Stewards’ Panel in the first place?

As we have stated previously, this whole race-fixing issue can be turned around into positively for racing. For that to be achieved, Racing Victoria must first admit to the problem, attack with a ferocity that it has so far shown itself to be incapable of, adopt a zero tolerance approach and throw the book at any licensed persons involved and push for any criminal investigations to be fast tracked and unlicensed persons involved to be banned from any involvement with racing.

If Racing Victoria fails to decisively address the crisis of credibility that it is facing, then it will invite external intervention, which will provide conclusive proof that is incapable of discharging the duties which it is charged with doing under legislation.

In every sport and in every game, there is always what is known as a crunch time it is the defining time that determines the outcome. For Victorian Racing and for Racing Victoria crunch time is knocking on the door. In fact, time might be up.

 

DIXON BOARD CONSPICUOUS BY THEIR SILENCE WHEN IT COMES TO RQ FINANCES

‘IT came as no surprise to any of us that have watched the meteoric emergence of Kevin Dixon to the chairmanship of Racing Queensland that he has not publicly responded to financial claims raised by the former Bob Bentley Board.

Dixon does not handle criticism well. Because of the supporters that he has in the mainstream media he seems to believe that if he ignores criticism it will go away. Thank God for websites like yours and justracing.

The fact that he has not answered criticism from Bentley concerning the financial situation at RQL since he took over as chairman suggests that the new RQ Board isn’t keen to discuss the issue for some reason.

Bentley says there was $13 million in cash reserves when his Board resigned in the wake of the LNP election win. The industry is rife with suggestions that prizemoney can’t be increased substantially because RQ has insufficient funds.

If that is the case then tell us where the $13 million has gone that Bentley claimed was there when his Board left. One could ask how much has been spent on clubs like Rockhampton to have equity agreements reversed.’ – As I am an official of a TAB club I cannot afford to have my identity revealed.

EDITOR’S NOTE: With all due respects Kevin Dixon needs a few lessons in public relations. Rather than refuse to answer questions concerning RQ finances – for whatever reason he has – it would have been so easy to say that it was impossible to comment until the annual report was released and new legislation went through Parliament.

 

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THIS GOVERNMENT AUDIT OF RQ FINANCIES?

‘IT seems now obvious that the apparent witch-hunt launched by the new Government to unearth financial discrepancies of the RQ Board of Bob Bentley proved a gigantic misadventure.

That probably explains the deadly silence from the Racing Minister and the new Racing Queensland boss following the audit. The only thing they want to focus on is the payment to those loyal servants of the Bentley Board who departed with fat cheques soon after the election.

The industry would dearly love to see some of those payouts returned. But stake-holders also want to know just what the financial picture is. The former Board is adamant there was plenty of money in the bin when they departed and have produced figures to substantiate that for the last Board meeting.

The audit of RQ funds during the Bentley era should be released by Government or sought under Freedom of Information. The industry is sick of waiting for this new legislation that now has been promised for months.’ – As I am a member of an industry group that discussed needs and finances with RQ I would request my name be with-held.

EDITOR’S NOTE: IT’S time for someone to clear the air on finances at RQ and for some sort of announcement on when this legislation will go to Parliament, what the ordered audit of RQ finances revealed, when there is any likelihood of an across-the-board prizemoney increase and what is happening with racing integrity as the LNP promised pre-election. Simply blaming the last financial year on the old RQ Board won’t help to boost the confidence of the new powers-that-be in the eyes of many industry stakeholders. We believe information from Board meetings should be made available to the industry who after all the directors should be answerable to.

 

ALLEGATION BY NIKOLIC CONCERNING BIG BOOKIE AND JOCKEY’S WIFE NEEDS INVESTIGATING

WE received a number of e-mails on this issue but elected to run just the one which hopefully gets the general message across:

‘SOME of us who have watched with interest what has happened with relation to bookmakers and stewards in racing in Queensland for some time are somewhat confused by a story that emerged from the Dan Nikolic inquiry in Melbourne.

Lawyers for Nikolic claimed at a Victorian Racing Disciplinary hearing that Racing Victoria’s Chief Steward Terry Bailey had told Queensland bookmaker Vince Aspinall and his daughter, Cara (who is married to jockey Michael Rodd) that he would see Nikolic banised from Victorian racing.

As expected both denied ever hearing Bailey say that which poses the question: Why would Nikolic make something so serious up about the wife of a fellow jockey?

But the point we want to raise is what would Aspinall or his daughter be doing socializing or chatting with a jockey of Dan Nikolic’s notoriety?

We believe that an inquiry should be launched by Victorian Racing Commissioner Sal Perna and questions asked of Aspinall, his daughter Cara, Bailey and Nikolic to determine when this conversation was supposed to have taken place and what Nikolic actually claims was said to him by the pair.

It is not good enough to just let this matter be swept under the carpet. It is a serious allegation and Nikolic should be made justify it or his lawyers should be allowed before an appropriate independent inquiry body to question the parties involved.’ – Bill Gallagher, Brisbane.

EDITOR’S NOTE: You raise some good points Bill. I am told it’s a long time since Terry Bailey spoke with Vince Aspinall. These are serious allegations that need to be investigated. If I were the parties involved that is what I would want. Several punters have questioned me on what Vince Aspinall would be doing chatting with Dan Nikolic. It opens up a real can of worms when you have big bookies allegedly socializing or inter-acting with jockeys and in the current climate in Victoria Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna should be keen to follow this one up and get to the bottom of just who said what to who and where and when it occurred. 

 

TWO ‘BOBS’ GO TOE-TO-TOE OVER INDUSTRY FINANCES AND RQ HANDOUTS

FORMER Racing Queensland chairman Bob Bentley last week responded angrily to suggestions that his Board had left the industry ‘fly blown financially’ and in that statement made reference to a handout by the new control body to the Toowoomba Turf Club.

 This prompted an immediate response from TTC Chairman Bob Frappell who insisted that Mr Bentley’s figures were rubbery and sent off an immediate e-mail to the former Chairman and a copy for the Wednesday Whinge.

 Bentley reacted to the Frappell criticism and responded to the TTC Chairman and provided letsgohorseracing with a copy. 

 The two e-mails make for some interesting reading as old foes trade blows and go head to head in a new environment in Queensland racing. Here is what they had to say:  

THE FRAPPELL RESPONSE:

 Mr Bentley,

 I notice you latest tirade on the LGHR web site.

 I wonder how much of it is factual. The figure you stated as having been granted to the TTC is factually incorrect.

 Your sources are out of touch as you are.

 I stated previously in response to an anonymous letter on LGHR that the figure is far less than that. You would be fully aware of that because I have no doubt you read and re-read every word written on the LGHR web site but still propagate the incorrect figure.

 Again you are wrong as you have often been in your role as Chair of RQL.

 Bitter past board members are likely to feeding you this garbage.

 The ex Board member is either 

1. stupid
2. Trying to make a fool of you
3. Has Alzheimer's

If you had any respect for the Racing Industry you should make sure of your facts, before your publish information, that they are, in fact, correct.

Here is a fact. You withheld 10 months of the Toowoomba Turf Club operational subsidy (approx $800,000) in order to bring the club to heel.

Another fact – it did not work.

You never let the facts ruin a good story previously. Why should now be any different.

Perhaps you should stick to retirement and go fishing.

BOB FRAPPELL.

 

AND THE BOB BENTLEY REPLY:

Bob Frappell,

I am pleased that you seized the opportunity to reply to my statement of fact that the previous directors did not depart RQL leaving the ‘cupboard bare’ of financial resources.

The financial position of RQL as stated in my reply to the Gold Coast Bulletin and published on the "Lets go horse racing " website is factual and can be verified by examination of the documentation prepared by the current CEO of Racing Queensland Adam Carter who at the time  was the Chief Financial Officer and who prepared and presented the figures quoted to the April  16th board meeting.

The handout to the Toowoomba Turf Club was the figure generally quoted but unfortunately the exact amount or the reasons for the handout were not made available by the new directors of RQL .It is suffice to say that you have now confirmed by email that the TTC did in fact receive a financial handout,that will give an inflated profit in the accounts for the year ending June 2012.This of course follows the results for the year ending June 2011where the results were inflated by the inclusion of the once only first year Sky Channel bonus sign on payment. These extra non trading grants are on top of the administration subsidy of $800,000 paid annually to the Toowoomba Turf Club.

The undeniable facts cannot be ignored as the TTC under your chairmanship is in receipt of substantial financial support from  Queensland Racing participants through RQL.

The claim in your email that the administration subsidy was withheld to bring the club to heal cannot be substantiated, as well, the directors would have been in breach of the Racing Act had this been the case or had been attempted.Taking your accusation seriously, it would not have been in your nature to leave this matter uncontested at the time if you could have substantiated even a whif of evidence.

You well know the correct situation that the Toowoomba Turf Club were indebted to RQL and therefore the rest of the industry for additional capital works requested by the club directors and the additional payment for the contracted agreement for track maintenance. Toowoomba was already in receipt of in excess of $10 million of capital works funding provided 50% through government and 50% by racing stakeholders through funds provided by RQL.

The agreement with the directors including yourself on behalf of the TTC was to to pay the debt created  by the  additional capital works and the track maintenance  as" a set off "against the annual administration subsidy on a monthly basis to assist the clubs cash flow.

A legitimate business arrangement that a reasonable director would expect to have hounored without question. Not so in this case.

Toowoomba Turf Club has a long and proud history of sound financial management and the former board under the chairmanship of Neville Stewart successfully advanced the club and returned a surplus for 21 straight years without needing to resort to this type of behaviour.

Your email makes several references to retirement. However just for you, seeing that you are a country music fan, there is a ballad by Slim Dusty that fits this situation. May be you should listen to the words.

“I'd rather be a has-been, than a never-was-at-all.”

BOB BENTLEY

EDITOR’S NOTE: If this keeps up perhaps we can organize Jimmy Sharman to resurrect his boxing tent at the next Queensland Racing Awards Night and add a bit of excitement to the occasion with a three-rounder between these two old foes. 

 

KIDS ARE PART OF THE CELEBRATION AT FLEMINGTON – BUT NOT IN QUEENSLAND

‘HERE’S hoping some of these bureaucratic dills in Queensland who are responsible for the current licensing laws that are wrecking racing were made aware of the situation at Flemington on Saturday.

Member’s Joy, which races for a syndicate put together by the Melbourne Racing Club, includes in its ownership many family members and they were out in force to cheer their horse home when it scored an upset win at Flemington.

There were jubilant scenes in the mounting yard after the success and many involved children of the owners who were there to enjoy the moment. Some were dressed in the colors carried by Member’s Joy.

It was a far cry from good old Queensland where the discriminatory Government Licensing legislation prevents under 18-year-olds from attending race meetings. What a joke the industry in this state is and they wonder why no-one wants to go to the races anymore.’ – Fiona Edwards, Cairns.  

EDITOR’S NOTE: The way the new Government is operating as far as racing is concerned in Queensland these draconian rules will operate until families totally desert racetracks. It was good to see Ray Stevens, the politician keen to have these licensing laws abolished, back at the races during the Cairns Amateurs. This is the bloke that should be Racing Minister not the de facto for the Treasurer and the RQ Chairman. It’s time ‘Can Do’ Campbell started considering the racing lobby and made a racing Cabinet reshuffle to give Stevens the portfolio he worked so hard for leading up to the election.     

 

 CLAIMS THE SHEDULING OF TOWNSVILLE RACE MEETING HAD BEARING ON CAIRNS AMATEURS

‘I 'Warren Massingham' (Cairns Jockey Club Committee Member, Horse Owner & Stable Foreman) would like to clarify comments recently made in the Cairns Post the week leading up to the 2012 Cairns Amateurs.

As a committee member of the Cairns Jockey Club, a race meeting scheduled in Townsville three days prior to the largest two-day meeting of the FNQ racing calendar, definitely affected trainers and horses participating at this meeting.

As the Cairns Amateurs has always attracted the best horses and trainers within the region (Cairns - Rockhampton), we need to ensure that the scheduling of race meetings within the area doesn’t affect the promoting of a major racing carnival, i.e. Cairns Amateurs, Townsville Cup and Cairns Cup.

As a two-day TAB meeting, bigger and more competitive fields also create a larger turnover for the thoroughbred industry.

As the results showed, not only Cairns trainers but many of the southern trainers (Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton) took home a large percentage of the great prizemoney on offer for those who attended this fantastic carnival.

Highlighting that maybe some of the horses that had raced on the Tuesday prior (at Cluden) may have travelled to Cairns for good prizemoney, therefore maximising field sizes.

As an owner / trainer that has raced at all the major northern Queensland carnivals, it is always more satisfying if you can compete against the best available horses from the region,” - Wayne Massingham, Cairns.

EDITOR’S NOTE: You make some good points Wayne but the way racing is scheduled these days there is bound to be a meeting somewhere from Rockhampton to Townsville on the TAB circuit in the week leading up to Cairns. The CJC should take the matter up with Racing Queensland to overcome the situation reoccurring. 

 

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