THE 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 wide ranging comments in the e-mail box this week spearheaded by growing impatience in the industry in Queensland over yet another delay in the announcement of the new Boards which is simply not good enough regardless of the circumstances. There are also e-mails calling for immediate changes to the Sydney Easter Carnival; bagging of the Dean Holland Appeal decision in Victoria; praising the move to further boost Integrity with the appointment of two policemen to the RVL Squad and questions over recent stewards-related incidents in Sydney. There were a host of other issues raised – please read and enjoy. We welcome your weekly contribution.
As usual we start the WEDNESDAY WHINGE with our popular feature: THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY SIDE OF RACING over the past week:
STARTING WITH THE GOOD (more of it than the BAD & UGLY this week)
IT’S TIME TO STOP PUSSY-FOOTING AROUND AND PLAYING POLITICS WITH BOARD APPOINTMENTS
WHILST the industry has to accept that the proper legal process is undertaken in the selection of the new Boards to control the three codes of racing in Queensland, their growing impatience is understandable.
The LNP Government, its new Racing Minister and the Interim Board have had almost a year to get the bureaucratic wheels in motion and despite that these seem to be still in reverse.
The process was delayed whilst the powers-that-be took the right steps and appointed an independent panel of highly respected gentlemen to oversee and make recommendations concerning selections.
No sooner had that been completed and an announcement was pending – following the required steps of Cabinet and Governor-in-Council approval – than it seems they have hit another hurdle.
Nothing has been confirmed officially but the racing rumor mill is in overdrive – and we have received many e-mails (two of which are run in this column today) – that a certain high profile harness identity with strong political ties is threatening legal action because he’s not happy with one proposed appointment.
All we can say is: Tough Titties mate! These selections are supposed to be based on who will best serve the industry as a whole not one person who doesn’t like the suggested candidate because he didn’t vote the way he wanted on a Board way back when.
If, when the Boards are finally announced (hopefully sometime between now and next Tuesday), there has been a change to satisfy the needs of one individual – not a particular code – there needs to be public reasons provided by the Government, even if the parties are protected by anonymity.
TOWNSVILLE THE PLACE TO BE IN JULY WITH A BIG MONTH OF CARNIVAL RACING PLANNED
GOOD news for racing fans in the north with the Townsville Turf Club announcing a new schedule of meetings for their upcoming winter carnival.
TERRY BUTTS of the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER reports that Cluden will race on both Friday and Saturday July 26 and 27 but both major races, the Cleveland Bay and Cup will be run on the Saturday.
In an action-packed month, Townsville will also host a race meeting on Sunday July 8 – the same day as the V8 car race that attracts thousands to the city.
“We reckon we will get a spin off from the visitors who might have had their fill of fumes on Saturday,” quipped TTC CEO Michael Charge.
The Sunday race meeting will be heavily promoted as a family day with the Magnetic Mile (formerly Jim Gibbard Memorial) and the Lightning Handicap as the feature events. It is also the day after the Mackay Cup (July 7).
Other meetings will be held at Cluden on July 16 and 20 – totaling five for the month.
HERE’S HOPING MOST JOBS ARE SAVED WHEN PATINACK EMPIRE IS SOLD OFF-SHORE
THE positive to come from the news that Nathan Tinkler will sell his entire Patinack Farm racing and breeding operation is that many jobs could be saved.
For too long the rumors have seen the staff work on with a sword hanging over their heads amid claims the operation would close at the end of this month but now at least they are aware of what is happening and there is a future beyond May.
NEWS LIMITED reports that Tinkler is the biggest single investor in the thoroughbred industry with more than 400 racehorses in training and over 500 broodmares, yearlings and foals.
He owns three breeding properties including his showpiece Patinack Farm Hunter Valley stud farm and a private training complex in Queensland.
It is estimated Tinkler’s entire thoroughbred racing and breeding interests are worth at least $250 million.
There is speculation overseas interests are poised to make an offer to buy Tinkler’s entire racing and breeding operation and Patinack Farm will cease to exist from May 1.
Tinkler’s business empire has been under severe financial pressure as the embattled coal baron faces crippling debts from failing mining industry ventures.
He has been down-sizing his racing and breeding interests in the last six months and was forced to sell champion colt All Too Hard to Vinery Stud in a package deal worth $30 million.
OAKBANK NO GUIDE TO JUMPS PROGRAM IN VICTORIA, ESPECIALLY WARRNAMBOOL
OAKBANK got through the jumps program of its Easter Carnival incident-free but the field sizes were hardly going to cause too many problems and betting was dominated by odds-on favorites.
Oakbank didn’t seem to have the same atmosphere this year but the real test of whether jumps racing is still as attractive to the public will be Warrnambool which would not be the carnival it is without that part of the program.
In the meantime Racing Victoria has pre-empted this situation and made clear its position on the viability and future of jumps racing this season, which was brought forward to start at Warrnambool on March 4.
This decision was made by RV due to Easter falling much earlier this year.
RV General Manager - Racing, Greg Carpenter, said the earlier timing of the season had made it difficult for trainers to prepare jumpers in time for the initial races.
“We anticipated that field sizes would be small initially,” Carpenter said. “We have good numbers of horses in the system and expect that as we head towards Warrnambool's iconic May Carnival, field sizes will begin to increase and continue to do so as we progress through the season.
“Victoria has a robust jumps program and we refute any suggestion that current low field numbers has its future in doubt.
“As with the entire racing program, we will monitor numbers right throughout the season and conduct a full review at its completion.
“We look forward to Warrnambool's popular May Carnival and expect to witness a significant increase in numbers.”
CORPORATE BOOKIES DIG DEEP TO ASSIST BUNDABERG FLOOD RELIEF RACE DAY
THE flood relief meeting at Bundaberg on Saturday has attracted an amazing response and it’s good to see the corporate bookmaking agencies kicking in big-time even if their presence has raised a few eyebrows in certain quarters.
Racing Queensland issued a Media Release praising the industry’s level of support for this very worthy cause as support keeps rolling in.
Bundaberg Race Club president Mark McLean confirmed that: “Six sponsors have come on board raising $20,000 of which the net revenue will be donated to the Bundaberg community. The proceeds from the gate entry ($7 adults and $4 concession) will also be donated to the fund.”
RQL, together with tote wagering operators, Tattsbet and Tabcorp will donate all wagering revenue from the $20,000 Bundaberg Ginger Beer Flood Relief Sustain Series Cup, scheduled to be broadcast on Sky Racing 1 at 2.10pm.
Corporate bookmakers including Betfair, Bet365.com, Bet Ezy Bookmaker.com.au, Eskander’s Betstar, Luxbet, Sportsbet, Sportingbet, Unibet and Tom Waterhouse will also donate their wagering revenue.
City to the Bush, spearheaded by the Brisbane Racing Club, will charter a flight to Bundaberg with 84 passengers, keen to experience a day of country racing.
BRC chief executive Stephen Ferguson feels it important for the state’s largest race club to support the Bundaberg Club and wider community.
“This town has been through an extremely tough time recently, and this is the least we can do. It’s great to see the camaraderie of the racing community and how when in times of need, we band together to support each other, regardless of code or destination.”
Sydney Horse Transport has also kindly offered free horse transport to Bundaberg from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast to boost the race program.
AND now to the BAD
WAS THERE A DENIAL OF NATURAL JUSTICE IN THE PETER WELLS POSITIVE BREATH TEST
DENIAL of natural justice has become a catch-cry in racing and sporting circles as the dirty four-letter word ‘drug’ continues to raise its ugly head.
It was a ‘drug’ of a different sort that claimed another victim in bizarre circumstances at Randwick on Easter Monday.
Peter Wells became the first New South Wales jockey to return a breath analysis reading over the legal limit on a race day. On three occasions he provided a sample that was reportedly ‘in excess of 0.02’ which is the threshold to ride in races in NSW.
Wells was charged under the Rules of Racing and stood down from his ride in the final race before stewards imposed a six week suspension to begin immediately.
But the string was in the tail. Wells claimed he had not had a drink since leaving a family christening the previous day and requested that stewards take a blood sample.
His request was denied because the Rules of Racing provide ‘no provisions to take flood from a jockey.’
Surely this is not good enough and represents a denial of natural justice. It needs to be challenged if the breath test blitz on race day riders is to continue.
ROD ALLEN SPOKE WITH EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE RANDWICK UPGRADE HOURS BEFORE HIS DEATH
LIKE many others, I was stunned and saddened by the death of Rod Allen, the one-time sports editor of Fairfax Media when I worked for the Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald.
Rod was my boss back then but it was in more recent times that I got to know him better after he left Fairfax and launched his own communications company in Sydney where the Australian Turf Club was one of his many clients.
This was a life tragically taken in a horrible accident when Rod fell 50m down a cliff face on Cockatoo Island where he and his wife, Laila, had been camping after attending a former colleague’s 50th birthday party at the weekend.
Michael Cowley, a good mate of mine who led the team that I was part of covering swimming at the Sydney Olympics, was at that party and enjoyed a drink with his good mate ‘Rocket’ only hours earlier. Rod had spoken to Mick of how excited he felt about the redevelopment at Randwick and how he was looking forward to the official opening.
Tributes flowed after the shock news of Rod’s death spread. They came from his former close work colleagues at Fairfax Media to the Australian Olympic Committee and the Football Federation of Australia to name but a few.
Rod was a lot closer to many more in the media than me but it is only fitting that I add my ‘RIP mate’ to that endless list who will feel his loss so badly. Our thoughts are with his wife and family. – John Lingard, Editor, letsgohorseracing.
AND FINALLY THE UGLY
DISGUSTING BALLS-UP HAD GOONDIWINDI MEETING BEING RUN AT WARWICK
THE disgusting balls-up over the secondary Queensland TAB meeting on Easter Monday which many outlets, spearheaded by SKY Channel, Tattsbet and The Courier-Mail had being run at Warwick instead of Goondiwindi, was an embarrassment nationally.
What made the situation worse is that some then tried to explain it as ‘a transfer’ instead of a ‘cover up’ for the mistake. We just wonder if some race-goers actually turned up at Warwick instead of Goondiwindi, which is a considerable distance away.
Making matters worse the Goondiwindi meeting was part of the much-publicized Showcase Country Series which the Government and Racing Queensland have been trumpeting.
Rather than read our thoughts any further, we suggest you log in to the respected justracing website and read what an angry Graeme Scheu, the Mayor of Goondiwindi and also Treasurer and Promotions Manager of the club, has to say about this massive stuff-up.
CRUEL DILEMMA CONFRONTING STEVE HOGNO SEEMS QUITE BIZARRE
THE Terry Butts story about the cruel dilemma confronting Steve Hogno and his partner Deb Lee, who face the prospect of losing everything, simply because they attended a Fun Day race meeting, seems quite bizarre.
We have received several e-mails on the issue, one claiming the problems that Steve is facing occurred because of a high profile racing official who was with RQ some time ago and is now with the LNP Government (probably why his call for help to the Racing Minister fell on deaf ears) but it is a bit too hot legally for us to run.
Surely Hogno deserves to have a ‘stay’ of his bankruptcy (if it in fact occurs) to allow him to appeal the decision that will change his life forever.
For those who missed the story it can be read on the Home Page of this website and in the Terry Butts Silks & Saddles column in the North Queensland Register.
YET ANOTHER DISSATISIFIED CUSTOMER WITH ‘THE CRAPPY’ SERVICE ON SKY CHANNEL
WE received an ‘ugly’ e-mail from a very angry reader who is not a fan of the way races are programmed on SKY2.
Here’s what he wrote:
‘I am a fan of Hong Kong racing and would prefer to bet there than on some of the major venues in Australia as I believe I get better value for money.
The reason that I subscribed to the Sky2 and Sky World channels when they started operating was the promise of full coverage of international racing, in particular Hong Kong.
But they have this ridiculous situation on Sundays when Sha Tin meetings are run (or Easter Monday as it was this week) where because of local commitments the live coverage of the early races is shown on Sky2 because of the busy schedule elsewhere.
But on Sky2 it seems that Hong Kong racing plays second fiddle to every low dog and trot race going around. This was the case on Easter Monday when I had to wait until 10 minutes after one race was run at Sha Tin to watch it.
Now before some smart-arse from SKY starts excusing the situation by explaining that the Hong Kong race was delayed five minutes because of a late scratching, listen to what I have to say.
They do unload all runners and allow extra time for betting when there is a late scratching of a fancied runner in Hong Kong to enable punters to reinvest their money. And this did occur on this occasion.
But when the race was about to run they gave preference to a trot race at Kellerbern wherever the stuff that is. I know the hold was pathetic. They ran simultaneously and the Sky1 host, who is a big trots man, was quick to say the local product got precedent.
There was plenty of time to replay the Hong Kong race after the Kellerbern trot which seemed to go on and on forever over 2500m (and the odds-on favorite got beaten I might add) but did Sky1 attempt to do that. No siree!
Instead we had to watch runners at the Redcliffe trots in their preliminary for a couple of minutes (time enough to replay the race from Sha Tin) where the hold was struggling to get past $1,000 on each of the three totes.
Finally Redcliffe was over and boofhead then tells us that eventually they will get around to showing Sha Tin but first they had to go to Hatrick for a dog race (that’s in New Zealand in case you have never heard of it and the betting hold was almost non-existent).
Finally, after I was ready to kick my TV in hoping the reverberation would be felt by the Sky host trots man, we got a replay from Sha Tin. If they had waited much longer it would have been run after the next race.
The sooner they get all these trots and dogs from non-event places on the one channel and give the gallops people international racing on Sky World, which was why I subscribed to the crappy service to start with, the better for all concerned.’ – Brad Smart, Sydney.
Now here are the e-mail contributions in full that we have elected to publish this week with apologies to those who missed out:
INDUSTRY HAS HAD A GUTFUL OF THE DELAYS IN APPOINTING RQ BOARDS
‘ENOUGH is enough. The three codes of racing in Queensland have had a gutful in the delays in appointing the Boards to run the various sections of the industry.
This new Government and its Racing Department have had a year now to appoint these Boards let alone fulfill promises that were made concerning many important issues in racing.
God only knows how long it will take them to negotiate a new TAB deal which holds the key to much-needed prizemoney increases or to establish, as promised, an Integrity Department that overcomes the confidence lost in the punting product in Queensland.
They went through the right process of independently selecting these Boards when the rumor mill was in over-drive with certain suggestions that some of the best possible candidates might miss out – for one reason or another.
No sooner does the Independent Panel come up with its recommendations and there are more delays. The latest, according to the Brisbane racing media, is because harness racing isn’t happy with an appointment.
Fair go – isn’t it time that the codes that keep racing afloat in Queensland are listened to rather than one that has been struggling for too long, receives more than it deserves and has far too much political influence because of the involvement of certain high profile individuals?” – As I am a senior official of a major gallops club I would ask that my identity be with-held.
EDITOR’S NOTE: WHILST I appreciate the need to get things right there have been enough delays with the appointments of the new Boards. The Government should get on with the announcements and let any challenge be decided later in the courts. If they don’t this could go on forever.
IS HARNESS RACING HOLDING THE INDUSTRY TO RANSOM IN THE RQ BOARD APPOINTMENTS?
‘WHERE does harness racing get off holding up the appointment process for the industry in Queensland that one could argue is six months overdue.
It seems that every time a certain individual doesn’t get his way in harness racing the three codes are held to ransom and forced to pay the price.
Some of us haven’t forgotten the melee over Albion Park which turned Deagon into a political issue before the last election. Of course as soon as the Government changed there are reports that millions have been allocated to a lost cause of a huge grandstand at the old Creek that most weeks of the year will be empty.
We are now being told that because the harness racing representative that has been recommended by the independent panel doesn’t suit a certain individual, the appointment process is again delayed and there are threats of legal action.
If history repeats with the LNP this gentleman has the political pull to get what he wants – pity about the independent appointment process. The industry needs to know what is going on here.
If all the checks and balances were undertaken and this is the right man for the job he should not be disqualified simply because – as some are saying – he dared to disagree with this high profile detractor when he was on a Board some time back.
Let’s face it harness racing contributes the least of the three codes and is reportedly going backwards but seems to have more say with this Government than the other two codes combined.
This is not a healthy situation – nor is it when the trots are destined to get an additional 53 meetings next season (or so the new Race Dates schedule would suggest), a new grandstand at Albion Park that will cost the industry millions and now it seems the right man in the right job to ensure that certain people get what they want.’ – Ben Robins, Brisbane, once a harness fan but they lost me long ago because of all the politics.
EDITOR’S NOTE: WHILST the identity in question remains nameless it doesn’t take Einstein to realize who is being referred to as the 'big name' harness culprit. I have been on both sides of the fence with this gentleman over the years and like him or not one thing is for sure you have to respect his opinion. If he believes something is wrong with the process that’s good enough for me. I don’t for one minute share the opinion that he is holding the industry to ransom for no good reason. Let’s get this problem sorted out sooner rather than later.
IT WOULD BE AN ABSOLUTE JOKE COMPARING INTEGRITY IN VICTORIA WITH QUEENSLAND
‘INTEGRITY in racing in Victoria goes from strength to strength and up here in Queensland it goes from bad to worse.
While Racing Victoria steps up its bid to catch the racing cheats by appointing two very experienced police officers, Queensland does not even have an Integrity Department.
Everything falls back on the stewards up north – a combination of Dad’s Army and inexperienced young guns. Little wonder the punters have no confidence in the industry and there are so many rumors doing the rounds concerning treatment of winners.
Priorities are back the front. Instead of chasing the real ‘crooks’ we had two stewards reportedly flown to the outback to investigate a dust-up between a licensee and a vet at some bush joint. How ridiculous!
While the Government continues to pussy-foot around with the appointment of Boards to run the show, those that have been responsible for the past year have apparently done little more than reduce the Integrity Department to non-existence.
Whatever happened to all those pre-election promises made by the LNP before they won Government that Integrity would be a separate entity to Racing in Queensland and that there would be an Integrity Commissioner with the staff needed to improve the sport’s image in the eyes of the punters?’ – A prominent gallops owner who does not want to draw crabs on his trainer by being identified.
EDITOR’S NOTE: MY thoughts on the Integrity situation – or lack of it – in racing in Queensland are well documented. I too have heard of this situation concerning a minor dust-up at a central western centre that required apparently two stewards to fly out to resolve. Little wonder they don't have time to catch those 'allegedly tubing horses.'
The following item by MICHAEL LYNCH in the MELBOURNE AGE just highlights how much further the north is falling behind:
RACING Victoria is stepping up its campaign to stamp out racing's cheats by drafting two experienced police officers, including one from the Purana taskforce.
With a series of unsavoury allegations and episodes dogging the industry since the spring carnival, racing's rulers are increasing their capacity to catch and deal with transgressors.
The chief targets are trainers who administer prohibited substances to horses or treat them too close to race day, and jockeys who bet or otherwise illegally affect race results.
Unless punters, the lifeblood of the industry, believe in the integrity of the races they are wagering on, they will be less likely to bet and ultimately the sport's revenue streams will suffer.
Tim Robinson and Rhys Melville will join Racing Victoria's compliance team in May. Robinson, formerly part of the Purana taskforce, has 17 years' policing experience and has most recently been working in Victoria Police's racing and gaming intelligence unit.
Melville, who was in the force for 13 years, has been with the Mitchell crime investigation unit, in regional Victoria.
Racing Victoria's $15 million-a-year integrity program began in 2009 and now has eight members, headed by Kane Ashby, overseeing investigations, stable inspections, bet monitoring and out-of-competition testing.
"The good thing about these two appointments is that they bring contemporary police investigative skills to the [team]", said Dayle Brown, Racing Victoria's general manager of integrity.
"We have a lot of people who are very good with horses, stable inspections and on race-day activities, but these two recent police officers bring up-to-the-minute methodology and skills to the depart ment."
Brown, also a former policeman, moved to the racing industry nearly two decades ago.
He said the appointments would allow Racing Victoria to be more active in carrying out stable inspections, which represent an important part of an inquiry.
During the spring carnival five such inspections resulted in prosecutions with trainers disciplined for breaches of the rules of racing.
The team will also help develop off-track surveillance on race day, he said; a panel of "shadow" stewards back at Racing Victoria headquarters will liaise with track stewards to monitor jockeys' rides, race patterns and betting trends up to and during races.
"We are determined to take action when it is merited and have the right capability to deal with any corruption when it occurs," said Brown. "The message has to be that anyone who cheats will get caught."
As part of the get-tough stance, Racing Victoria's board approved a new national minimum penalty which took effect at the start of this month.
It outlines minimum penalties of between six months and five years of disqualification for serious offences including race fixing, jockey betting, administration of prohibited substances and the stomach-tubing of a horse on race day.
Rules against the administration of substances on race day have also been strengthened.
Under this month's changes, the prohibition on race day administration, including the stomach-tubing of horses and administration of alkalinizing agents, has been extended from 24 hours before race time to one clear day before race day.
DOES THE RAD BOARD DECISION IN THE DEAN HOLLAND CASE CREATE A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT?
‘TRAINERS may as well thrown instructions to jockeys out the window following the precedent set by the Racing Appeals Board in the Dean Holland case in Melbourne.
I speak for many others who often issue instructions only to see them disobeyed by the mental midgets we throw aboard our horses.
There are always occasions when things don’t pan out as expected and horses have to be ridden differently but surely jockeys are entitled to be answerable and face the consequences when they completely disobey what the trainer had told them to do.
Many trainers absolutely support what Troy Portelli had to say after the RAD Board cleared jockey Dean Holland of disobeying instructions on Eight Bills over which he made an official complaint.
Who can blame Troy for being dismayed by the decision? Why wouldn’t he believe – like a lot of others – that it was ‘a sad day for racing not only in Victoria but also Australia?’
And he’s right in suggesting it is now ‘open slather on riding against instructions’ that will no longer have a ‘consequence’ for jockeys who disobey them.’ – As I am a long-time trainer in Victoria I cannot ill-afford to have my identity revealed.
EDITOR’S NOTE: THERE are two aspects of this situation that are unfortunate for racing in Victoria. The first is that trainer Troy Portelli, justified in making his complaint when stewards acted against jockey Dean Holland, was left with egg on his face by the RAD Board. The second is that the stewards, once again, were not supported in their judgment by the Appeals body, which is becoming an all too common occurrence, especially in Victoria. HERE’S a story outlining the background to the situation for those who missed it:
VICTORIA’S Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board has cleared jockey Dean Holland of failing to obtain the best possible placing aboard one of his mounts at Mornington in February.
Stewards laid the charge after alleging Holland rode Eight Bills against trainer Troy Portelli’s instructions when the sprinter missed a place in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) on February 13.
Eight Bills raced outside the leader before tiring in the second half of the race to finish 4-1/2 lengths behind the winner Jolie Blonde.
Portelli and Holland clashed in the mounting yard following the race with the jockey lodging an official complaint over the incident.
Stewards subsequently charged Holland with a breach of AR135(b), claiming the jockey "rode the horse contrary to the instructions afforded pre-race by Mr Portelli and that his ride was inconsistent with his own knowledge of the horse’s preferred racing pattern, both of which were to obtain cover back in the field”.
The RAD Board heard evidence from retired jockey Greg Childs as well as current rider Stephen Baster as well as stewards on duty at Mornington before deciding the charge "was not proved”, dismissing the case.
Portelli Racing took to Twitter to share its disappointment with the verdict.
"Tis (sic) a sad day for RVL and Australian racing,” Portelli Racing tweeted. "Open slather on riding against instructions. Now has no consequence.”
CRITICISM FOR VICTORIAN JOCKEYS’ ASSOCIATION BOSS OVER HIS APPEAL STAND
‘SO the Victorian Jockeys’ Association boss Des O’Keeffe thinks the outcome of the Dean Holland case was ‘a very, very good result’ for all jockeys.
What a joke! How about considering the long-suffering punters, not to mention the trainers who give instructions in good faith on behalf of connections who pay the bills?
Once again Mr O’Keeffe has gone out on a limb in protecting the jockeys – just like he has done with controversial characters like Danny Nikolic.
It wins him no friends in the eyes of many in the industry – who believe the jockeys are too protected as it is. And the racing public continues to regard him as an absolute joke.
Trainer Troy Portelli felt the ride of Holland was serious enough to complain to stewards about. They agreed and charged him with breaching the rules and failing to give the horse every opportunity to win or obtain the best possible position.
Holland had every right to appeal and he won but it will be remembered in the words of Portelli as ‘a sad day for racing’ and again showed just how lame some of the people sitting on these Appeals panels are.
The punters of this country are being treated like mugs and so are the people who race the horses and pay the bills. They are expected to just cop ‘bad rides’ as ‘mistakes.’ And the jockeys just take their fees and move on to their next rides without a care in the world.’ – Dave O’Brien, Melbourne.
EDITOR’S NOTE: DES O’Keeffe continually comes under fire for simply doing his job in protecting the interests of his members – the jockeys. Whilst I don’t agree with his support at times for controversial jockey Danny Nikolic, in this case I can’t see where he did or said anything that he was not entitled to, whether it got up the noses of the opposing parties or not.
HERE’S is all that O’Keeffe said to the Melbourne racing media in the wake of the Dean Holland appeal decision which makes the reaction seem more like an over reaction:
VICTORIAN Jockeys Association CEO Des O’Keeffe described the outcome as “a very, very good result for all jockeys”.
EASTER RACING IN SYDNEY NEEDS TO REVERT TO THE SUCCESSFUL FORMULA
‘FOR years my family has traveled to Sydney for our annual holidays at Easter to take in the races and the Royal Show.
The changes they have made to the carnival racing program no longer make racing an attractive side of our visit.
Saturday was the last straw when the Rosehill Guineas was supposedly the draw-card. The meeting was a far cry from those great days when the Doncaster and Sydney Cup used to be held over the Easter long weekend.
And it was evidenced by the crowd which was also a far cry from the days when anyone who loved horse racing wanted to be in Sydney at Easter.
They should sack whoever the genius was that decided to revamp the Sydney carnival. Even if the Golden Slipper was run on Easter Saturday it would be a far better drawcard.
Regardless of when Easter falls it is time for officials to bite the bullet and return to the days when the Doncaster and Derby were run on Easter Saturday.’ – the Barry King family of Queensland.
EDITOR’S NOTE: THERE’S an old saying ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ and perhaps that should have applied to the Sydney Easter carnival. Here’s what someone more versed on the situation that I am had to say on the issue in KEN CALLANDER of the SYDNEY TELEGRAPH:
TWO-day Randwick carnival an absolute must to put the oomph in Easter. Sydney racing has to get back to Randwick at Easter and fast.
We need a two-day bonanza to put some oomph and pizzazz back into the sport with the Doncaster highlighting the Saturday program and the Derby and the TJ Smith Stakes spearheading the Monday.
People love sport at Easter. There were 80,000 at the AFL in Melbourne, 50,000 at the NRL in Sydney and 20,000 each at A-League games in Newcastle and Brisbane.
At Rosehill for a terrific day's racing we had 10,200. It is too silly for words that we have Easter at our mercy and we don't use it.
Let's forget about falling into line with Melbourne and start worrying about our customers, the people who, in the entertainment industry, should always be considered first.
And, by the way, if you were one of the lucky ones who went by car to Rosehill to see the action, did you enjoy getting caught up in the Easter Show traffic to and from the track?
BLACK CAVIAR COULD BE RELIED ON AS THE SAVIOR OF THE SYDNEY AUTUMN CARNIVAL
‘TENS of thousands turn out every weekend to watch the football in Sydney and Melbourne. Less and less are heading to the races.
In comparison the crowds at the races in Sydney this carnival have been disappointing and about the only thing that can save face for officials who sadly changed the feature race days is the appearance of Black Caviar.
What’s the point of having brilliant new facilities if the crowds are staying away in droves? The ATC has adopted the attitude of ‘build it and they will come.’
Sounds great – but will they?
Unless something is done to return the Easter carnival to its original state – with the Doncaster run on the Saturday – then even a new stand can’t save this ailing product.’ – Alan Pascoe , Melbourne.
EDITOR’S NOTE: WHAT you are saying is a pretty common theme Alan. Here’s hoping Sydney and Brisbane get to see Black Caviar in action at their carnivals before she heads to the breeding barn in Britain.
Her appearance at Randwick is already shaping as a block-buster according to this story by RAY THOMAS in the DAILY TELEGRAPH:
CHAMPION Black Caviar's return to Sydney racing next week has created such unprecedented interest that the Australian Turf Club has released an additional 2500 general admission tickets to cram as many race fans as possible into Randwick.
Black Caviar will attempt to extend her famous unbeaten streak to 25 wins when she contests the Group 1 $1 million T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) on Derby Day at Randwick on April 13, a meeting which coincides with the partial opening of the racecourse's new $150 million grandstand.
Racing returns to Randwick today for the first time since November with the ATC opening the lower level of the spectacular grandstand.
Premier Barry O'Farrell and Racing Minister George Souris met racing officials last week for an inspection of the facility that promises to reinvigorate Sydney racing.
"This is a world-class grandstand, it is all about making NSW racing No.1, putting some real competition into that traditional Sydney-Melbourne rivalry," Premier O'Farrell said.
LACK OF CONSISTENCY BETWEEN RAY MURRIHY AND HIS PROTEGES WHEN IT COMES TO JOCKEYS
‘HERE we go again – more headline-grabbing by the Racing NSW Chief Steward Ray Murrihy.
This time he has decided to step up the fight against celebratory gestures by jockeys when they win a big race.
Murrihy has even gone as far as suggesting that feature winning jockeys are ‘trying to out-do one another.’
We all agree that safety is paramount in racing but they don’t seem to have a problem with this behavior by jockeys in Hong Kong where it occurs almost after every race.
And let’s not forget that two of Mr Murrihy’s protégés in Kim Kelly and Steve Railton are running the stewards’ show in Honkers and they don’t seem to have a problem with it.
Perhaps Mr Murrihy should stop worrying more about his image and gaining publicity ahead of his younger colleague Terry Bailey in Melbourne, who is making him look second rate.
There are enough more serious things happening on the track – which are costing punters hundreds of thousands of dollars every Saturday – that should instead by keeping the Murrihy panel occupied.’ – Peter English, Toowoomba.
EDITOR’S NOTE: SAFETY has to be paramount in racing and in Hong Kong they adopt different standards to those in Australia when it comes to celebratory gestures. As long as it occurs past the winning post I can see no problem with this.
HERE’S what respected racing columnist MAX PRESNELL had to say on the issue in the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
JOCKEYS ‘lairizing’ is a problem, says Ray Murrihy, the Racing NSW chief steward, referring to their antics before and after the finish when winning races.
Stewards grilled Brenton Avdulla following his success on Arinosa in the Birthday Card Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday. "He was making gestures to the crowd," Murrihy said, but the stipes didn't take any action.
Murrihy says jockeys are attempting to "outdo" each other with their antics after scoring.
For instance, James McDonald, 22, stood high and briefly took his hands off the reins when notching an effortless victory on It's A Dundeel in the Rosehill Guineas. ''It was his first breach," Murrihy said regarding a light fine of $400 for the New Zealander.
Glen Boss is a serial offender, his last slug was $1000. His spectacular saddle exploits became part of the Sydney scene before he moved to Melbourne, where some are taking offence, judging by letters to the Winning Post. "Perhaps it is accepted in Hong Kong, but in my opinion the negatives outweigh the positives," Murrihy said. "Jockeys have come down and there has been severe interference after the winning post from loss of control."
Well, why is it getting worse?
BALLINA SITUATION DOESN’T SUGGEST RACING NSW IS GOING AS WELL AS IT SUGGESTS
‘WE keep hearing about how wonderful the racing industry in New South Wales is traveling especially from outspoken boss Peter V’Landys.
One wonders what they will do to resurrect racing in Ballina following the catastrophic financial events that have befallen the club there.
Mr V’Landys is not everyone’s cup of tea – and I am one of those – so I call on him to tell us what Racing NSW is going to do to ensure that those of us in the area who rely on racing for a living can expect.
The hierarchy of the Ballina Jockey Club – in the firing line over the financial mess they are in – are blaming a loss of meetings and Racing NSW for the present predicament.
Come on guys – let’s stop the blame game and get on with ensuring this once very popular club is ensured of a bright future.’ – Adam Smith, Lismore.
EDITOR’S NOTE: I am not in a position to comment on this issue but high profile Northern Rivers-based, former Sydney racing journalist in TONY WHITE is and here’s what he reported on this matter in the SUN-HERALD:
THE demise of Ballina Jockey Club - Racing NSW has appointed a management committee to administer the club after the board was forced to resign on Tuesday - should ultimately prove beneficial for the north coast club. Rumblings of discontent with the club's management surfaced some time ago.
It is understood the club is more than $200,000 in debt and sought help from Racing NSW above normal distributions.
A change of board was needed before steps could be taken to arrest the perilous financial position. It is worth noting that in 2008, the club had $500,000 liquidity.
It received an additional $160,000 from Racing NSW for lost meetings over 2010-12, which should have been more than adequate.
Yet from a media release signed ‘The Directors’ and press comments from secretary-manager Craig Kelly, it would appear the club is blaming the loss of meetings and Racing NSW as the major reasons for its demise.
The statement reads in part: “The financial position of the club, and the deterioration of its reserves over a period of time, has been made clear to members of the club and Racing NSW in detail over the past four years.
“The fact is fixed and operational costs of country race clubs are increasing at a rate that far exceeds any potential increase in revenue.
“In the case of Ballina, the wet weather resulting in lost or deferred race meetings has been the final straw that has depleted the club of its financial reserves.
“To a certain extent we can sympathise with Racing NSW in having to finance the increasing costs of complying with the Racing NSW minimum standards for country race clubs as it is not commercially sustainable.
“In the interest of all participants and stakeholders in country racing, the need for rationalisation is urgent.”
Scott Kennedy from Racing NSW hopes to recruit people with a strong connection to Ballina and ‘the right mix of skills’ to get the club back on its feet.
HERE’S A RARE AREA WHERE RACING IN VICTORIA COULD LEARN FROM QUEENSLAND
‘HAVING followed racing in Queensland for more years than I care to admit I had a wry smile on reading the story on your web-site about the TVN presenters being investigated over claims they accepted ‘free shares’ in racehorses.
Here’s where the Victorians could have learned from what they do in Queensland.
The more popular – and I might add absolutely legal approach in Queensland – has been for officials to share in the ownership of horses with media identities which has proved a terrific public relations exercise.
The high profile media men thus become close friends of the guys running the show resulting in a cozy relationships which ensure nothing but positive coverage of the sport and the officials concerned.
It’s actually very smart and it costs them not one cent, in most cases simply the lease of a percentage of a horse they own for which the media identities pay their share of the training.
Who said Queensland was lagging Victoria in all things racing?’ – Oscar Jackson, Gold Coast, who by-the-way had friends who lost more than they could afford in the disastrous Go Racing venture.
EDITOR’S NOTE: I think I’ll pass on commenting on this one except to wish media heavy-weights Bart Sinclair and Wayne Wilson all the best with the promising Rocker, the horse they race in partnership with Racing Queensland boss Kevin Dixon.
HERE’S a story from the MELBOURNE HERALD SUN that no doubt prompted the above e-mail:
AN investigation into claims on-air presenters accepted "free shares" in racehorses is being conducted by racing broadcaster TVN.
MARK DUNN reports in the HERALD SUN that the internal investigation, dubbed by racing insiders as "shares for comment", was launched after allegations were raised about whether the part-ownership, if offered for free, breached laws requiring stakeholders have equity in the thoroughbreds.
The Victorian and NSW race broadcaster TVN is understood to be looking at the racehorse shares of at least two, and possibly three, presenters and whether money changed hands.
About two weeks ago a presenter correctly declared ownership in one runner.
Such declarations occur periodically during coverage and there are no prohibitions on media commentators or presenters owning part or full shares in horses.
But questions surround whether the shares breach Corporations Act equity rules requiring that each shareholder pay the same amount to obtain individual shares.
One of TVN's advertisers, Dynamic Syndications, said in a statement it "wishes to go on public record" to refute any assumption horses it handled were involved.
Dynamic Syndications director Dean Watt told the Herald Sun his company spent "hundreds of thousands a year" in advertising on TVN.
He said "if I see someone get a free kick" out of promoting a horse or stable, "I'm not going to be happy about it".
An industry source said many media personnel within racing, whether at TVN, Sky or free-to-air networks, had shares in horses.
"We encourage our guys to participate in the industry," he said.
But TVN declined to "confirm or deny" whether it had launched an internal investigation into whether "free" shares had been offered to any presenters.
"We can't really at this point discuss the matter, it's not appropriate," TVN spokesman Stephen Dole said.
He described any review as a "human resources" matter and therefore the network was prohibited from discussing the issue publicly.
HOW IS RACING IN QUEENSLAND GOING TO FUND AN ADDITIONAL 53 HARNESS MEETINGS?
‘THE gallops industry should be aghast to learn that harness racing has been granted an additional 53 meetings in the new season schedule just released by Racing Queensland.
Two major questions need to be answered urgently by those responsible for this allocation:
(1) How did harness racing, which attracts the lowest turnover of the three codes which continues to fall, convince the powers that be of the need for over 50 more meetings?
(2) Where will the prizemoney for these extra harness meetings come from, especially in view of the fact that gallops – which attracts the majority of the turnover – continues to cry out for a stakes boost?
There has to be a reason – one would hope – apart from the fact that with 53 extra meetings harness racing turnover will be boosted at the end of the next racing year. Surely they wouldn’t use that to suggest there was more interest in the one code that punters definitely don’t want to bet on.
It’s the same old story in Queensland. Harness racing has too much influence politically and has for too long – harking back to the days when big Russ Hinze was running the show.’ – I am a gallops trainer, who wishes to remain anonymous, but like many of my colleagues these are questions that need to be addressed by Racing Queensland.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We have all heard how there was a wide consultation process with the industry before the race dates were finalized. I just wonder if the gallops code was aware of what was being delivered to harness racing. Perhaps there’s an explanation covering the additional trots dates. If so now is the time that RQ and Interim Chairman Kevin Dixon should be providing an explanation. Otherwise, one would hope, that the new Board – when it finally gets appointed – will have a look at the merits of this move and how an Interim Board was able to make such an important decision only weeks before the new one came to power.
HERE is an RQL media release on the subject:
THE 2013/14 race schedule for the three Queensland racing codes was approved by the Queensland Race Product Co on March 26, 2013 in line with the requirement to present the schedule prior to the end of March each year.
An extensive consultation period was undertaken by Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) to create the final versions of the race schedules.
An initial thoroughbred draft was distributed to TAB Clubs requesting feedback on the draft. After receiving a substantial response, RQL incorporated all suitable changes and released a revised draft for comment.
The final thoroughbred version was then presented to the Queensland Race Product Co for approval.
The key changes to the thoroughbred schedule include prizemoney updates, change of public holiday meetings, industry infrastructure strategy development and twilight racing.
It was RQL’s main aim throughout this process to optimise wagering outcomes, increase prizemoney, the quality of horse pools, the number of races programmed from seven to eight per meeting, weekend racing at northern TAB clubs and the integration between TAB clubs and non-TAB Clubs.
The 2013/14 harness race schedule was created through extensive industry consultation, which saw 331 harness meetings scheduled for the next season, compared to the 278 scheduled for 2012/13.
The main priorities when drafting the harness schedule included an increase in prizemoney, a return to racing on Monday’s, Sunday Sky Racing 2 coverage, the closure of Parklands and the roll out of the industry infrastructure strategy.
The 2013/14 greyhound race schedule sees very little alteration to the TAB racing calendar. Overall, there is a slight decrease from 416 to 411 TAB race meetings.
However negotiations are continuing with Sky Channel in relation to the possibility of broadcasting meetings from Ipswich on a Saturday night which if successful, would see an additional 52 meetings allocated.
From a non-TAB perspective the number of meetings has increased from 149 to 159. If the TAB meetings at Ipswich commence, the number of non-TAB meetings will be affected and as a consequence the number of non-TAB meetings will reduce by 26 to 123 in total.
OFFICIALS HAVE TO LEARN TO COP CRITICISM AND ANSWER THE TOUGH QUESTIONS
‘FROM time to time I run across an edition of The Racing Bitch. This controversial website is well known to you and many of your readers.
It normally takes me 10 to 20 seconds to glance through an edition. I pick out anything that is considered balanced & constructive reporting and scrub the other 95 per cent.
However, in an edition of The Bitch that was published in the last week I noted a paragraph which I consider worthy of the highest awards in racing journalism.
For those that have not read this particular edition the preamble to the story centred on the TVN managerial fiasco.
The Bitch suggested, amongst other things, the following: “In racing in particular, divisions and hatreds run deep. They will resort to the lowest forms of behavior to exact vengeance from their perceived opponents. The dueling is primitive, memories are long and feuds are never forgotten. It’s straight from this handbook of the underworld – The Rules Of The Godfather is supreme. DISSENT IN ANY FORM CANNOT AND WILL NOT AND NEVER WILL BE TOLERATED.”
I draw your attention to this observation as I feel the description of some administrators in Queensland and New South Wales fits it to a ‘T’. Do as I say or else - if you don’t like the way I do things shut your mouth as I KNOW BEST.
I have in recent months come to a better understanding of the problems that your website and justracing are confronted with on a regular basis for simply doing your job and protecting the interests of the industry and the racing public.
Mr V’landys will dice and slice poor old Bernard Saundry from RVL over which State runs racing and TVN.
Mr Dixon will spend more than half his hours in his office trying to work-out who is disgruntled with his leadership. Just a tip - do the opposite – try and work out who respects the job he has done in the last 12 months. (Please note these numbers must not include any Monica(s), which will rule most out).
If he is unable to cop DISSENT from non-employees he has a major problem and that concerns me when it comes to racing administration in Queensland.’ – Alan George, now Queensland-based but formerly of Sydney.
EDITOR’S NOTE: I don't know if the situation is quite as bad as the picture you paint Alan but whether the powers-that-be in any state like or dislike criticism no longer bothers letsgohorseracing nor do I imagine that Phil Purser, who runs the best racing website in the land in justracing would be too concerned either. But rest assured, regardless of who is appointed to the new Boards to run racing in Queensland we will continue to raise questions on behalf of the stake-holders and protect the interests of the punting public. Someone has to.
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.
