THIS website 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..

THERE were some especially interesting e-mails this week ranging from praise for Richard Freedman in his comments about how far ahead of the other states Racing Victoria is when it comes to tracking down trainers doing the wrong thing with treatment of horses to angry concerns about rogue starters affecting others and costing punters. There was an interesting e-mail relating to a story on how much corporate bookmakers are spending on advertising and concerns expressed by stakeholders in Queensland about secrecy surrounding who will pay for a multi-million dollar grandstand planned for Albion Park Raceway.

As usual we start the Wednesday Whinge with our popular feature: THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY SIDE OF RACING:

 

STARTING WITH THE GOOD

DID THE RICHARD FREEDMAN COMMENTS ABOUT VICTORIA UPSET RACING NSW?

WE received a few e-mails congratulating Richard Freedman for his comments on Racing Retro on SKY about the work being done by the Compliance Assurance Team of Racing Victoria.

They highlighted the fact that Freedman had pointed out how much more successful this team had made Racing Victoria in the fight against drugs in comparison with the other states.

One claimed to have information of a major blow-up behind the scenes at Racing New South Wales with a suggestion that Chief Steward Ray Murrihy was less than impressed by the Freedman comments.

From an outsider’s perspective it is pretty obvious that Victoria is being far more successful in the hunt for trainers doing the wrong thing in the treatment of horses.

As Freedman reportedly pointed out there have only been one or two cases of trainers found tubing horses in New South Wales and Queensland whereas the number continues to grow in Victoria thanks largely to the work of the Compliance Assurance Team.

Even more embarrassing, as far as the e-mailers were concerned, was the fact that some of those caught by the RV team were carnival visitors from New South Wales and Queensland.

Whilst Racing NSW has ramped up its drug detection unit, in Queensland they don’t even have an Integrity Department so there’s little hope of too much action at the station. That probably explains where there is no punter confidence when it comes to betting on the product in the north.

Perhaps Racing Queensland isn’t listening to the concerning stories doing the rounds about treatment of horses and where it is taking place or more to the point stewards don’t want to hear what is being said.

Day by day the Russ Hinze era is creeping back into the running of racing in Queensland on and off the track.

 

SWIMMING HAPPY TO APPOINT DISILLUSIONED CEOs OF RACING QUEENSLAND

IT must be something in the water in Queensland. Two former Chief Executives of the control body have wound up with key positions in swimming after being forced out of racing.

Kevin Hasemann, former CEO of Queensland Racing, is now the award-winning CEO of Queensland Swimming after parting ways with the Bob Bentley Board at QR.

Now a good mate of Hasemann, another former CEO of RQ, Jeremy Turner, has bobbed up with Australian Swimming.

Not only is Turner the interim CEO of the under siege body but he has also been appointed head of the Integrity Body that will investigate the latest dramas involving the male relay team that could see the Head Coach shown the door.

Turner was a also victim of at RQ and finally walked out when he fell foul of the RQ Chairman over a controversial process involving staff appointments.

There are many in racing who will be disappointed that Turner has found a new career path with swimming. They were hoping he would be enticed back to RQ as a CEO that is desperately needed.

Then again he might have been a shade over-qualified considering some of the industry leaders that are rated the right men for their jobs by the current powers that be.

 

BUNDABERG TO CONDUCT FLOOD RELIEF RACE MEETING IN MARCH

QUEENSLAND Racing Minister Steve Dickson has announced that Bundaberg will hold a special country race meeting to raise money for locals impacted by recent flooding.

Mr Dickson said a six race dual-code Queensland Sustain Country series meeting would be held on Saturday, April 6 at the Bundaberg Race Club and will include a $20,000 Flood Relief Sustain Series Cup.

The Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Club will host a five race greyhound program on the same day.

“The Newman Government is doing everything possible to get the devastated Bundaberg region back to business and this race day is another way for Queenslanders to show their support,” Mr Dickson said.

“Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) and Tattsbet will donate all wagering revenue from the feature race to the Bundaberg flood recovery.

“After recently touring Bundaberg’s damaged sporting and recreation facilities I know it’s going to be a tough road to complete recovery, but I’ve already seen the determination and resilience of Queenslanders  on display, with clean-up efforts  now well underway.”

Mr Dickson said while both events would remain classified as non-TAB meetings, RQL has negotiated with Sky Racing to broadcast the $20,000 Flood Relief Sustain Series Cup feature race on Sky Racing 1.

“The meeting will also be supported with a special City to Bush event spearheaded by the Brisbane Racing Club (BRC), which will attend with its corporate partners and hold several fundraising initiatives,” he said.

RQL chairman Kevin Dixon said the flood relief meeting could not have been scheduled without the support of the Queensland industry.

“A lot of parties have come together to organise this race meeting but I would especially like to thank the Monto Race Club and president Mark Hutton for agreeing to move back their scheduled meeting one week to April 13,” Mr Dixon said.  

“I would also like to thank the Gold Coast Turf Club and chief executive officer Grant Sheather for agreeing to switch to Sky Racing 2 for their broadcast of race four on April 6.

“A dual code Bundaberg race meeting combined with the City to the Bush initiative will make for a great day’s racing, and I encourage everyone to come along and support the Bundaberg clubs and community who were harshly affected by recent flooding.”

Bundaberg Racing Club president Mark McLean said the Club was overwhelmed by support when it was struck with difficult times only a couple of short years ago. 

“We see this as an opportunity to return the favour to the local community that has suffered terribly recently,” Mr McLean said.  

“We are looking forward to working with the Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Club to deliver some great racing, and raise plenty of money for those that need it most.”

 

IT HAD TO BE THE QUOTE OF THE NIGHT AT THE HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS

IT had to be the quote of the night from Jason McLachlan after the induction of his late, great dad Bruce into the trainers’ section of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.

Jason was not only gob-smacked but a shade embarrassed on being told that his mum, Lorraine, had suggested he could one day be better trainer than his dad.

“Dad trained 3,000 winners and I can’t quite remember how many Group Ones,” Jason said. “If I am half as good a trainer or bloke as him, I will be more than happy.

“I think mum might have had a champagne or two too many when she suggested I would be a better trainer than dad. But I love her and I miss the quality time I used to have with dad.”

 Bruce no doubt would have been looking down on the night with a sly grin on his big dial.

 

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST DEDICATED HORSE RACING EXPO IN MELBOURNE

GETTING involved in the exciting world of thoroughbred horse racing has never been easier with the introduction of Australia’s first dedicated annual horse racing expo, Mane Connections.

The 2013 Mane Connections Horse Racing Expo will be held on Saturday 16 March and Sunday 17 March at the Melbourne Showground’s Exhibition Hall, with everybody from existing owners and trainers to racing tragics and once-a-year punters encouraged to attend.

The public will be given the rare opportunity to interact on a personal level with many of the industry’s biggest names as they come together under one roof to help punters make an informed decision about increasing their involvement in the industry, be it through ownership, education or employment.

Melbourne’s reining premiership-winning trainer Peter Moody headlines a super line-up of established and progressive trainers providing insights into their training operations at the Expo.

Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes will showcase his Lindsay Park Racing operation, offering individuals the opportunity to become part of a racing dynasty under which he has prepared the winners of countless Group 1 races.

Future stars, including the likes of Warrnambool horseman Jarrod McLean and Mornington-based Robert Kingston, will also be showcasing their budding training operations.

The cream of the syndication crop will also be in attendance to offer potential owners an affordable and convenient way to get involved in the next star of the turf.

Renowned syndicator of international gallopers, Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, will be on show and have kindly offered a share in their latest acquisition, UK-star Dandino, as a door prize.

Dandino will be one of the best credentialed European gallopers to hit Australian shores and is all but guaranteed a start in Melbourne’s premier staying races, including the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Spicer Thoroughbreds, syndicator of G1-winners Commanding Jewel, Zabeelionaire and Starspangledbanner, will also showcase their latest purchases with boss Brad Spicer on hand to help find you that next champion.

Renowned sellers of bloodstock, Magic Millions will also be in attendance to offer insight and education to those potential entry-level owners unfamiliar with the national yearling sale circuit. 

Moorookyle Park, the home of stallion Ustinov, will offer perspectives on Australia’s billion dollar breeding industry while renowned equine industry-specific educator Marcus Oldham College will be on hand to offer guidance to those considering a rewarding career in one of the nation’s largest industries.

Leading racing supply companies including Persuader Racing Products, operated in partnership by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Brett Prebble, master saddlers Peter Horobin and Platinum Equine will showcase their latest products.

A series of free seminars from industry experts aims to educate the public on all aspects of the racing industry from inspecting and purchasing a yearling, to training methods, as well as racehorse outplacement and breeding.

The National Jockeys Trust, recently confirmed as the official charity partner for the 2013 Expo.

More information about the 2013 Mane Connections Horse Racing Expo, including a full list of exhibitors and a schedule for the industry forum, is available at www.maneconnections.com.au

 

AND NOW TO THE BAD

IMAGINE THE SCENE IF SYDNEY PUNTERS FOLLOWED THE LEAD OF THOSE IN INDIA

IMAGINE if the punters in Sydney followed the lead of their counterparts in India and stormed the jockeys’ room every-time they wanted to protest a hot favorite being beaten or a bad ride.

Cripes, it would be a weekly occurrence. Ray Murrihy and his panel would need security guards on hand during the day to protect them, similar to what happens in India.

There is a couple of Kiwi trainers that one might respectfully suggest would need personal body guards as well the way some of their favorites perform.

What about the stewards in India? How would you like to be going into battle alongside them? As soon as the natives got hostile they threw their hands in the air, declared the favorite and non-runner and refunded all bets invested.

 

IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN IN RACING IN QUEENSLAND – WHAT A JOKE?

SURELY the stories we are hearing that the reason Hall of Famer Geoff Lane was not being used as often at Racing Queensland had nothing to do with an industry rumor.

The story goes that Lane – the one-time golden boy of Australian racing – had been rumored to have been seen lunching with a couple of racing people from the wrong side of the tracks.

The rumor was wrong but the Dumbo who heard it at RQ apparently didn’t bother to check whether it was. Surely that isn’t the reason that Lane was only used on limited occasions as a steward at the Gold Coast in recent months.

Lane is not only highly respected but goes about his job as a part-time steward in a very unassuming way and has helped more than the occasional apprentice who had no idea just how much he achieved as a top jockey in Australia and Asia.

Despite the very ordinary treatment from RQ – and Lane would be the last one to make an issue of it – the control body burnt rubber asking him to return to work at the Gold Coast on Saturday after he was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame last Thursday night.

Most people – mystified at the snub they had received in recent months – would have told RQ where to go – but not Geoff Lane. It is testimony to the man and his love for racing that he walked away from the spotlight in Melbourne and was back climbing the stewards’ tower at the Gold Coast races on Saturday.

 

LICKER – THE BLACK CATTLE DOG – WAS NEVER FAR FROM HIS MASTER’S SIDE

THEY were plenty of hangers-on and free-loaders at the Australian Racing Conference in Melbourne last week.

One high profile identity, reportedly only two strides behind his boss every time he was spotted, has been nick-named Licker by a colleague who once worked for another code where they pull carts.

He is referred to as the ‘black cattle dog’ by his work-mates. Like all well trained mutts he never leaves his master’s side.

And they reckon he had a big night out at Crown during his visit to Melbourne but even the spies caught a glimpse of him.

 

 AND FINALLY THE UGLY

BUTTSY APPALLED BY OVERWHELMING ARROGANCE OF HORSE TRANSPORT COMPANY

IT takes a bit to upset our mate Terry Butts the veteran racing journalist and horse trainer from Townsville but a Sydney Horse Transport company managed to get right up his nose this week when they demanded payment with an attached threat.

Butts wasted no time replying and has asked us to run this as a warning to other owners or trainers who might have dealings with the said horse transport company.

Here is what he had to say to them in retaliation:  

‘This is to advise Sydney Horse Transport that today payment for invoice7618 (received just two days ago) was executed for payment into your BSB Account (details with-held) on March 1.

I also wish to advise that I am totally appalled by your display of overwhelming arrogance in that you threatened me – a first time customer – with listing in a Credit Reporting Agency if the account was not settled in 14 days.

How dare you threaten me?

And if that is not enough you pompously warn that such a listing would be on my credit file for five years. And that it may affect any future credit application.

Well that won't be happening because you have carted the last horse for this little stable, 

And have no fear I will spread the word of your gross, ill-mannered conduct, to as many of my colleagues as possible, including the editor of the letsgohorseracing website that they may use in one of their columns to highlight the arrogance that trainers/owners now are forced to endure..

Cliff Keong (long-time boss of Brisbane Livestock Transport) would roll over.

I intend to give it as much publicity as possible.’ – TERRY BUTTS.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Is this the same horse transport that a leading lady trainer has something to do with operating in Sydney? Someone might let us know.

 

‘SORRY WE CAN’T HELP YOU WE DON’T HAVE AN INTEGRITY DEPARTMENT AT RQ’

THE absence of an Integrity Department at Racing Queensland was batted home to a prospective owner who is wondering whether to walk away from the sport.

The North Queenslander had ventured into racehorse ownership and paid $6,000 sight-unseen for a horse from the Gold Coast which he was guaranteed would be just what he was looking for.

The seller, a well-known racing man who has enjoyed a good deal of success in racing in Queensland, allegedly offered to refund the money if the owner was not satisfied with his purchase when it arrived.

Such was the case – it was smaller than he had been told and to say the least not in a very healthy state. He put it straight back on the float and sent it back to the Gold Coast.

But when he asked for the promised refund the seller told him he would have to wait six months because he had already committed the purchase price.

The owner, who had already agreed to buy another horse from Toowoomba, needed the money immediately and told him so. When he refused the matter was taken to RQ.

‘Can I speak with the Integrity Department?’ he asked. ‘We don’t have one came the reply.’

‘Well what about the stewards?’ ‘Sorry they don’t handle ownership disputes.’

He is now taking the matter up with the Department of Fair Trading, the Racing Minister and if necessary the CMC.

Integrity in racing is regarded as the most important function of most racing states but not Queensland. It seems that in the north the new powers-that-be would rather waste tens of millions on lost causes – like new tracks at Toowoomba and new grandstands for Albion Park harness racing.

 

Now here is the e-mail contributions that we have elected to publish in full this week with apologies to those who missed out:

 

BARRIER ROGUES CONTINUE TO CAUSE CHAOS AND COST PUNTERS MONEY

‘ONCE again the deplorable situation of barrier rogues reared its ugly head on Saturday, this time before the running of the Oakleigh Plate. 

It now goes into the annals of punting history that hundreds of thousands of punters’ dollars went down the gurgler with scratching of the favorite (the unbeaten West Australian Barakey).

Quaddie and doubles punters were left with the substitute, ironically the cause of all the trouble in the first place, who astoundingly got a run when, as it turned out, ran near to last, and a perfectly fit and healthy Barakey was sent home.

Barrier officialdom was left with so much egg on their faces they could open an omelette factory through through no fault of their own I might add.

As I have said before,  Japanese trainers have had this problem licked for years, this sort of rubbish just doesn't happen, they must sit back and watch all this going on and shake their heads in disbelief.

Now you can tell me what you like, but I firmly believe it is in the training of the horse. Surely to goodness if they can train horses to prance around a show ring or circus arena with military step by step precision, they should be able to train a horse to walk into a barrier stall and stay put for a couple of minutes? Answer? They can and they do.

More astounding is that in that very race and countless others rode one C. Williams, a frequent visitor to Japan. He must surely see the difference and think to himself: “Geez, some of these blokes could learn a thing or two from Japan, it's much, much safer over there!”

And herein lies the entire problem, to whom does he talk to, to voice his concerns?

In nearly every racing country in the world there is a national controller of racing, the Japan Racing Association, The Korean Racing Authority, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, The Singapore Turf Club, The British, The French, The Americans, on and on it goes.

What do we have? An independent body controlling each State or Territory, none, not a single one, prepared to take a stand on this galling issue for punters, the very lifeblood of their entire existence.

Some flimsy flim flam vague rules spread with a very broad brush apply across the country, whereby countless attempts are made to load recalcitrant poorly trained horses, often resulting in minutes and minutes of delay, disrupting broadcast schedules and increasing tenfold the risk to others who have been waiting in the stalls so long they're practically asleep by the time the starter has finished running back and forward from his ladder 50m away from the stalls, delay after delay after delay and eventually totally predictably, one these nut cases goes off and well, we all know the rest.

What we desperately need are some new national guidelines for barrier rogues, penalties and suspensions for trainers who present horses that carry on like lunatics, faster scratching at the very first sign of trouble. A starter that is ready to dispatch the field from his position, not running around like a chicken to his vantage point then waiting, waiting, waiting, for his almost ‘nirvana like’ perfect line, it's just ridiculous.

Don't for one second try and tell me everything's just fine Jack, we know what we're doing. It isn't, it can be done, and punters have had a gut full of this nonsense. It has to end once and for all.

For Pete's sake somebody take the bull by the horns and do something!’ – Stefan Meier, Melbourne.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Thought provoking e-mail Stefan and on many of the points you make I agree. Something does need to be done about barrier rogues. In the case of the Oakleigh Plate the buck stops with the vet. He declared Shamal Wind fit to start but after Barakey had attempted to burrow under the front of his stall (created during the delay while they were inspecting Shamal Wind) he was determined unfit to start. Barakey was the innocent victim and so are his connections who now face the prospect of having to trial him and then run him first-up in the Newmarket (a feat no horse has performed and won in almost a century). It isn’t fair but if a horse is injured in a barrier mishap and allowed to start, carrying as much money as Barakey was, then the big losers are the punters. It’s a Catch 22 situation for the vet. As for those who took Barakey in their Quaddies having to go on to Shamal Wind, when they had felt it could not win, that is another story and a situation that sooner or later the authorities are going to have to address.      

 

CORPORATE BETTING AGENCIES SPENT $45 MILLION ON ADVERTISING LAST YEAR

‘HOW many millions that should go to the Australian racing industry are being lost to corporate bookmakers, both local and abroad?

When you look at the amount of money these leeches can afford to spend on major advertising of their product, it just makes you wonder what we are missing out on.

The time has come for the racing states to put political pressure on Governments to rein in corporate bookmakers and force them to contribute more to racing in this country.

A story was written in The Australian this week that is a ‘must read’ for everyone who is interested in Australian racing. Would you be kind enough to reproduce it?’ – Matt Holmes, Sydney.

EDITOR’S NOTE: We had a similar request Matt from one of our favorite contributors Jim Carlton. Here is the article, an EXCLUSIVE by SALLY JACKSON, marketing writer for THE AUSTRALIAN:       

TELEVISION advertising for online bookmaking services has nearly quadrupled over the past two years alone in an unprecedented growth spurt, a study conducted for Media shows.

The study by advertising monitoring firm Ebiquity shows that the value of television advertising by a burgeoning number of bookmaking sites jumped from about $12 million in calendar 2010 to $45m last year.

News of the ad explosion will add to disquiet about the rapid growth of the local sports betting industry, on the heels of the Senate's move this month to launch a parliamentary inquiry into the advertising and promotion of gambling services in Australian sport.

Greens senator Richard di Natale, who proposed the inquiry, said that "you can't watch a sporting event with your kids without being bombarded by betting odds and gambling ads".

The senator's comments are borne out by the Ebiquity figures.

The study found that in 2012 there were 528 individual online betting ads shown on free-to-air TV, including digital channels.

Collectively, the ads were played more than 20,000 times on free-to-air, with airings on pay-TV estimated to be many times higher.

According to Ebiquity managing director Richard Basil-Jones, the boom in the category has been "incredible" and the fastest growth he has ever witnessed. "A few years ago there was a little bit of gambling and online betting but it wasn't so obvious. Maybe we saw it as we passed the TAB or a casino," he says.

"It's ever-present now. Almost a fourfold increase over the course of just two years is quite incredible."

 Demonstrating the pace of growth, one of the biggest names — and biggest spenders — in the category had not even started advertising in 2010.

That, of course, is bookmaker Tom Waterhouse, scion of the famous horse-racing and gambling clan. Advertising for his TomWaterhouse.com website began in February 2011, ready for its official launch in April that year, starting with radio before moving heavily into TV.

Rivals Centrebet and Sportingbet, which was recently taken over by Britain's William Hill, had entered the market a year earlier, joining existing players Sportsbet and Tabsportsbet.

Three months ago the field expanded still more when bet365, the biggest online bookmaker in Britain, obtained an Australian licence and launched with a slick campaign starring actor Samuel L. Jackson.

Not only has the volume of ads changed over the time but also the nature of the campaigns, which have become more sophisticated as the category matures. In that way the online bookmakers are following a typical trajectory, albeit at greater than typical speed, from "functional" ads that explain who they are and what they do to "emotional" ones that attempt to give their brands personality.

Leading the way has been Waterhouse, whose campaign has leveraged his family history and positioned himself as the inheritor of that lineage with the message: "I was born to bet."

Centrebet's "Don't just watch it" campaign and bet365's futuristic ads are also designed to differentiate them from their competitors, although Tabsportsbet, with its frontman rattling off the odds, has remained at the functional end.

"You can't compete forever on a price-led message because it's going to drive each other down so it makes sense for the category to all pick an emotional positioning," says Ebiquity insight director Aaron Rigby.

"When categories mature a little ... the various players shift from explaining what they do to trying to explain why they are different. Tom uses the family, other brands use blondes walking around in black dresses."

The marketing is working: According to Waterhouse, the number of people using his website has risen from fewer than 3000 to about 160,000 in the two years, toward his stated goal of at least 500,000 domestic customers, although he also admits the business is yet to break even because of his huge promotional spend, put at $25m a year.

And the intensity is only set to increase as more players seek elbow room in an increasingly crowded and noisy field.

"There's some big international players involved in this and they have sizeable marketing budgets," says Basil-Jones. "I don't think the well is dry."

 

SECRECY SURROUNDING PLANS FOR ALBION PARK ‘COMES AS NO SURPRISE’

‘IT comes as no surprise that the Racing Queensland Board headed by Kevin Dixon has failed to tell the gallops industry of their plans to spend tens of millions at Albion Park which will go under water again the next time it floods.

Everything they do is shrouded in secrecy until their plans are firmly in place – beyond any consultative process where anyone might dare to protest – when the Racing Minister makes some big blaze of glory announcement.

And not a whimper can be expected from the weak-kneed racing media who just follow the lead of retired Bart Sinclair and make sure they act more like promotions managers for high profile officials and clubs than protectors of the industry stake-holders or the punting public. 

Hot on the heels of a massive waste of money replacing the cushion track at Toowoomba with grass – they will need more than a new surface to save that joint from oblivion – we know have another ‘lost cause’ in harness racing attracting a multi-million dollar handout.

How in the world they can justify a grandstand of that magnitude and cost – even if the greyhounds are to remain at Albion Park which seems highly unlikely – beggars belief.

There are so many more worthy causes that contribute so much more in turnover to the industry in general that are being starved of desperately needed facilities that the decision to redevelop Albion Park has to be politically motivated.’ – Stan Baldwin, Brisbane.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The three codes of racing in Queensland were not entitled to learn about the Albion Park redevelopment plan from a story that was leaked to this web site. There is a responsibility on those in control to properly consult and brief all stake-holders, especially when their plans involve the expenditure of such an enormous amount of money.

 

AT LEAST THE WEB SITES SOME OFFICIALS DESPISE KEEP THE INDUSTRY INFORMED

‘THANK you to the letsgohorseracing website for keeping us informed on what is happening behind the scenes in racing that the authorities seem hell-bent on keeping secret.

They must think that those industry stake-holders who aren’t in the ‘yes men’ category are a mob of mushrooms that can be kept in the dark and fed bullshit.

This situation with Albion Park is not good enough. What right does an Interim Board, virtually in caretaker mode, have to proceed with a project that is going to cost many, many millions of dollars?

Adding insult to injury harness racing can hardly warrant such an investment. When you look at what the Sunshine Coast offers to the racing public one would think that a facility similar to that would be good enough considering the crowds that the trots attract in Brisbane these days.

If the Government is backing what this ‘caretaker mode’ Board is giving the green light to – and the new grass track at Toowoomba comes immediately to mind as well – then a few questions need to be asked.

One has to doubt that a Government, faced with mounting flood bills, problems with the health and hospitals sector and the electricity costs continuing to prove a minefield, would want to waste tens of millions of dollars on providing facilities for Albion Park trots and Toowoomba gallops where the return to the industry or the Government is virtually zilch.

Terry Butts summed it up in his column this week when he wrote: Is the current RQ interim Board so certain of being re-elected that they can just push ahead with any plans they want?

That is indeed how it looks and a major worry for the industry, for I know at least one candidate for those senior positions who is likely scuttle the Albion Park proposal post haste if elected.

Plenty of us were also more than interested in his comment that: I just wonder what the three wise men plucked by Government to scrutinize and interview prospective candidates for the new Boards to control the three codes must feel about this latest display of arrogance by the Interim Kevin Dixon Board.

Are they being played as puppets?

We would hope not and that justice will prevail. If ever there was a need for independent appointees to the racing boards this highlights that need.’ – Adam Franzman, Sunshine Coast.

EDITOR’S NOTE: IN my opinion the secrecy that surrounds the behind-the-scenes activities of the Kevin Dixon Board is nothing short of arrogance and a lack of respect for the industry. Here’s what Terry Butts wrote on the subject of Albion Park and I wholeheartedly endorse those remarks but standby for some of Dixon’s media mates to jump to his defence:

THE secrecy behind the development application for a super multi-million dollar grandstand for Albion Park should be of great concern to everyone in the game.

That the current Board of Queensland Racing, on the eve of an election for its office bearers, can brazenly submit plans to the Brisbane City Council without any consultation of stakeholders from all codes, beggar’s belief.

Is the current RQ interim Board so certain of being re-elected that they can just push ahead with any plans they want?

That is indeed how it looks and a major worry for the industry, for I know at least one candidate for those senior positions who is likely scuttle the Albion Park proposal post haste if elected.

And if it’s not too late he will make the proposed new Toowoomba track take its rightful place at the bottom of the list of things that need to be done for racing in Queensland.

But you get the distinct feeling that the election for Board positions, in spite of assurances from Racing Minister Steve (or is it Tim) Dickson that there will be no political interference is all but over. The deal’s been done.

I just wonder what the three wise men plucked by Government to scrutinize and interview prospective candidates for the new Boards to control the three codes must feel about this latest display of arrogance by the Interim Kevin Dixon Board.

Are they being played as puppets?

Hopefully not – for they too have a reputation in the community to uphold.

But we will soon see.

 

HOW CAN AN INTERIM BOARD SPEND TENS OF MILLIONS OF INDUSTRY MONEY?

‘THE question that needs to be asked about these reported plans for Albion Park that will cost tens of millions of dollars is: How can an Interim Board make a decision to proceed with a project of this size?

Surely something this important should be stood-over for discussion by the new All Codes Board when it is put in place at the end of March.

Of course with an influential businessman of the ilk of Kevin Seymour involved you won’t see the LNP Government moving to short-circuit the apparently secret plans of Kevin Dixon and his Interim Board.

This whole project smacks of political interference. Who is going to pay the cost of building a new state-of-the-art grandstand and restaurant at Albion Park?

If it is solely for the use of harness racing, which would struggle to fill a grandstand of that size once a year, the other codes are entitled to be consulted.

Perhaps some of the cost will be met by an enterprising developer with interests in the Albion area buying some of the land off Albion Park.

The gallops, which basically carries harness racing in Queensland, should not have to contribute and nor should the greyhounds if they are not part of the project. And if they aren’t what is to happen to the code that is far more popular than the trots?

No-one is saying harness racing isn’t entitled to a major facility in Brisbane. But one has to question the viability of Albion Park as the venue considering it goes under water every time there is a major flood.

More to the point a grandstand half that size, comprising a restaurant, would be a lot more cost effective for the industry as a whole and would still more than accommodate the crowds that now turn up for harness racing on most nights of the year.’ – Jim Murphy, Gold Coast.

EDITOR’S NOTE: You raise an interesting point Jim about an interim Board making decisions of this magnitude. One suspects there is a political push behind the Albion Park and Toowoomba decisions. It will be a year after the Government changed before the new Boards to run the three codes are in place. The process couldn’t be any slower if they were in reverse. Like a lot of others there are already signs that racing is headed back to the Russ Hinze days in Queensland when money was thrown around on useless projects like confetti and integrity at the gallops and harness racing was threatened by political interference.    

 

NIGHT GALLOPS IS ABOUT THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD SAVE ALBION PARK

‘THE only thing that would justify the expenditure of tens of millions of dollars on a new grandstand complex for Albion Park would be the addition of night gallops.

What a venue it would prove to be and in such a central location with plenty of parking available imagine the crowds that might again flock to the Creek.

How the spending of $40 or $50 million (possibly more) can be justified an harness racing in Brisbane, except the appease some political mates, defies any rational thinking.

Perhaps some of Kevin Dixon’s mates in the media, like great harness fan Wayne Wilson, might do an interview with him for Radio TAB explaining what is happening. He would probably agree to that knowing no tough questions would be asked.

Better still, in the mainstream racing media isn’t prepared to do so, why doesn’t letsgohorseracing or justracing fire a list of questions at the RQ head honcho and seek some answers on behalf of the industry? – Alan O’Neill, Brisbane.

EDITOR’S NOTE: What a wonderful venue Albion Park would be for night racing. The Sunshine Coast looks great under lights but the new powers that be seem determined to turn them on as little as possible. Night racing in Toowoomba in winter (without even considering the swamp they are racing on) is no go territory. Just imagine the crowds that gallops under lights would attract at the old Creek. Then RQ could justify spending tens of millions on a grandstand that might even get good use on a regular basis.            

 

WHY DIDN’T QUEENSLAND GIVE TWO HALL OF FAMERS RECOGNITION THEY DESERVED?

‘OVER the years I have admired some wonderful people in racing and was delighted to see Bruce McLachlan and Geoff Lane receive due recognition in the Hall of Fame.

I must say that I was disappointed that neither got due recognition in The Courier-Mail considering the contribution they made to racing. Then again racing doesn’t seem to get the coverage these days in the Brisbane daily that it once attracted.

Perhaps I got too used to the times when Keith Noud was at The Telegraph, Jim Anderson ran the turf section of The Courier-Mail and Bart Sinclair was at the Daily Sun. It was wall-to-wall racing coverage in those days.

What I am disturbed about are these reports of a ‘snub’ of Geoff Lane. Friends of mine are very close to the one-time champion jockey and they tell me he is the most wonderful man who still wants to contribute to the industry.

Racing Queensland are well aware of the job he does for them at his Gold Coast base but never really recognized the honor that was bestowed upon him by the Hall of Fame. Why was that?

Surely this isn’t just another personality problem within the stewards’ ranks at RQ where I am told that the hardest working member of the panel, Toowoomba-based Martin Knibbs, is very much on the outer not to mention the hatchet job that was on former NQ Chief Stipe Patrick Cooper, who can’t even get a look in and would do a damn better job than most of those employed at present.

I am told that the current Chairman of Stewards, Wade Birch, is so close to the new Chairman of Racing Queensland (Kevin Dixon) that you almost need a bucket of water to separate them.

It‘s not a good look especially when integrity is supposed to be divorced from RQ administration apart from the fact that the Chairman races a number of horses?’ – As I race quite a few horses in Queensland myself for the sake of my trainer I ask that you with-hold my identity. I don’t want him suffering because of my big mouth.     

EDITOR’S NOTE: Here we go again with this disgusting situation in racing in Queensland where people are too afraid to express their opinions openly for fear of a backlash. I have heard the rumor that someone bagged Geoff Lane to stewards in Brisbane. If that was the case surely the Chief Stipe should have had the balls to confront him about it. My mail is Lane tried to unsuccessfully to contact him during a period when he seemed to be sidelined from part-time stewards’ duties. If this isn’t correct then RQ should come out and explain why Lane copped a right royal ‘snub’ on their web site when Hall of Fame inductions were announced. I might add that I don’t know Geoff Lane and none of this information came directly or indirectly from him. It was from an industry source on the Gold Coast. In fact I am told by his long-time Terry Butts that he would be embarrassed by people kicking up for him and it would be the last thing he would want to create any controversy.

  

INDIAN JUSTICE WHEN IT COMES TO PUNTERS PROTESTING A BEATEN FAVORITE

‘I read an article on your web site last Thursday about a top jockey from Pommie land riding in India and giving one a “smother”. 

The Club Chairman has been quoted as saying the horse was given a ‘run’ so he instructed the Stewards to conduct an inquiry.

Now acting within the true definition of ‘Indian Natural Justice’ (or is it survival – no matter) the local Stewards started to agree the ride was ‘ordinary’ so they opened an enquiry and declared the ‘good thing’ that got beaten a non starter or something similar.

Seeing India owns most of this great state (Origin, various coal mines, related rail links to their shipping ports, grazing properties and whatever else isn’t tied down) the thought occurred to me that The Premier might have sold Racing Queenslandto the Indians when he visited there a month or so back.

When you compare the method of operation of the local product against that of India gee it makes one wonder if a deal hasn’t been done?

I guess we will find out when the appointments to the various controlling bodies are announced.’ - Percy J Morris, Brisbane.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I love your tongue in cheek response especially in relation to selling RQ to the Indians. If they did, at least then we might get a few cowboys on the Board to ensure they weren’t just sitting around smoking the peace pipe.

 

MAX AND HIS MATES RECKON DOLLAR DAY AT THE FARM WAS AN ABSOLUTE DEBACLE

‘After a busy and profitable couple of months arranging deals for the pollies, I decided to have a day out at the races at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

 I tweeted Willy and some Government lobbyist mates to have a steak at the Creek then head off to the track.

On arrival in the public rails betting ring, I put a monkey on the table and asked Willy to buy some beers. He came back about 10 minutes later and said there was no bar open and that he had to throw a big note to the gate person so he could go into the members’ area and buy the beers.

And then a punter asked where did you get the beers from and Willy told him what to do and offered to buy the broke a beer in the next shout.

The punter then screamed obscenities about the club that he couldn’t buy a beer and that he couldn’t place a bet on the tote. He said he was leaving and would never ever come back and walked out the gate.

It was then time for another round of drinks and another contribution to the gate person and then the guys decided to have some first fours as they had blown the betting money with the bookies.

After I produced another monkey, the guys decided to have a go on Race 3 in Sydney and put in a few at odds. Willy was given the numbers to box for $10 units.

Just after they jumped, Willy comes running back and says we are not on as all the tote windows are closed. You know the result. The guys fluked the right numbers and I could feel my blood pressure increasing.

We all decided to head off back to the Creek and have a few coldies off the wood to drown our sorrows and anger.

Can anyone dream of going to a racetrack and not being able to buy a beer and have a quinella, trifecta or first four?

Stevie Wonder needs to be held accountable for this debacle. I don’t think he was even there on the day as I am told that the tote and bar did open around two o’clock after phone call were made to his offsider in Melbourne. By the way it was 12.40 by the time the third was run in Sydney.   

A couple of my mates who stayed on at the races later confirmed that the only people left in the public rails betting ring for the last race were partnered by Labrador puppies.’ – Maxthelobbyist (I am using this name as I know how officials of the BRC and RQ respond to any form of criticism).

EDITOR’S NOTE: I really wish I could use your name ‘Max’ as you are highly respected in racing circles but fully understand you wish to remain anonymous. We even gave them a plug on this web site about their dollar day at Eagle Farm – surely they catered for an extra crowd. Perhaps too many officials were on the Australian Racing Conference gravy train in Melbourne. Should the BRC wish to respond to this e-mail they are welcome to an unedited reply.

 

TTC MEMBERS WANT ACTION ON MANUFACTURERS’ GUARANTEE ON CUSHION TRACK

‘IT appears that the committee at the Toowoomba Turf Club had better contact the manufacturers and installation companies that installed the cushion track.

There is reportedly a guarantee with the track that has three years to run, that IF it is maintained to the manufacturers’ guidelines and training, any problems will be compensated or corrected.

Come on you people running the show – grow some Kahunas and get the guarantee activated.

You keep saying it's the manufacturers’ issue. Well get it fixed for the sake of the members, the licensees, the owners and the industry in general. The excuses we keep hearing are pathetic.

QUESTION: How many CUSHION meetings have had this issue at the Sunshine Coast with so called poor drainage?

None that we know of!

WHY?

Well who is looking after the track there and how are they maintaining it? By memory RQL owns that part of Corbould Park and maintain it. WOW...or is that not true.

Put the TTC guys in charge and see how long Caloundra cushion lasts.

We flooded worse in 2011 and this never happened when RQL was looking after track maintenance.

Maybe this committee led by the ‘big’ Cowboy and his Indians need to be held accountable for what is happening to the track. Everyone knows that isn’t likely to happen because of the close relationship with RQ.

Soon we will have a new track after six months of no meetings and what will happen then?

Oh yeah.......it's flooding again and it's not our fault.

Blame someone else rather than fixing it for the members and the trainers and all the transport companies and farriers and associated people.

Who would want to book a night at the TTC when it cannot even action a straight forward guarantee that the members know exists?

Maybe it is time to build an arc Bobby and get your animals and sail off into the yonder and give the club to members who will action the issues.

It is just as well the chairman only gets two terms running this place as in the opinion of many by then it will be stuffed.

Why is the imitation Board of RQL not helping the TTC get the track guarantee actioned? Maybe they too will be happy to see the back of someone.

Well bon voyage and may the dumping of all things bad at the TTC happen sooner rather than later.

No sponsors with cash left for the club. Only handshake barter deals. It's a long way back for those brave enough to attempt it.

RQL should place administrators in charge of the Toowoomba Turf club to protect the industry and the members and the trainers ASAP. It is their duty.’ – From a group of members who still care and no, Mr Frappell, we aren’t putting our names forward and pinning targets on our back.

EDITOR’S NOTE: There isn’t a TAB club in Queensland – or Australia for that matter – that we receive more damaging e-mails about. Some of the current directors blame it on dirty politics since the departure of long-time chairman Neville Stewart. Others say it is disgruntled former directors using anonymity to bag them jealously over the good job they are now doing.

The e-mail we ran last week about former Clerk of Course Robbie Hawkswell provoked an angry response from Mick Frappell, son of TTC Chairman, Bob, who wrote: ‘Are you kidding with this BS letter about Hawkswell? If these people are unashamed friends why not own up to it? I am sick of reading this cowardly vomit from this trolling website etc.’

It went on with a personal attack on me but basically what Mick believes is that we are victimising the Toowoomba Turf Club and the Chairman. You’re welcome to your opinion Mick and no-one blames you for defending your dad but my mail is that the Hawkswell info was spot-on and nothing was done about it. I sought this information independently and have been told that Robbie is sorely missed, especially by the jockeys who had a huge respect for him and his horsemanship.  

As I told you we get heaps of e-mails that we don’t run about the TTC, the latest involved putting a cover over the semaphore board at Clifford Park which doesn’t work when it rains and the alleged response from your dad to the Chief Steward when he raised the issue.

Another questioned how much it had cost the industry in Toowoomba to payout key staff (office, bar and catering) who have crossed swords with the Chairman or Directors since they took office.

Then, if you want to get personal with me, there was one about an owner sending a float transport out to your stud to pick up a horse that had been spelling there. He was allegedly told the horse wasn’t there and returned only for you to receive a call from the owner reminding you that it was. We didn’t run that because mistakes are made and whether it was true or not, we didn’t want to get personal.

If you believe we are victimising the TTC then these are e-mails are examples of some that we would have run in detail had we been out to cause damage or trouble. Those e-mails we receive that are obviously mischief making or political scuttlebutt are weeded out on a weekly basis but just because someone wants to raise a contentious issue of interest to the industry in Toowoomba does not mean the club is being victimising or our website is not being fair.

The best way to handle objective criticism is to answer it. But that doesn’t happen under the new rules that apply to some sections of the racing media with RQ. Ignoring us won’t make us go away, it will only make us more determined. We’re here for the long haul regardless of who is running the RQ show but here’s hoping sanity prevails and some independence is added to the new Boards. Otherwise, in my opinion, the downhill slide will continue for the industry in Queensland.

 

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in the above e-mails should not be interpreted as those of JOHN LINGARD, the owner of the letsgohorseracing web-site. That is why he has added an ‘EDITOR’S NOTE’. Every endeavor is made to verify the authenticity of contributors. We welcome any reasonable and constructive responses from parties or individuals.