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..
ONE of the major topics of e-mails received in the past week was again concern over the delay in naming the new Boards at Racing Queensland. We sought an explanation from the Minister’s Office which you can read below. There were also comments on the poor crowds for the big days in Sydney racing; how Victoria is streets ahead in the integrity race; whether the ride by Nash Rawiller on More Joyous was ‘unlucky’ or just ‘plain bad’ and an interesting take on the transfer of the BTC Cup from Doomben to Eagle Farm and whether it would have been allowed to occur before the merger of the two main clubs in Brisbane. 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, the BAD & UGLY
FIRST TO THE GOOD
DELAY IN NAMING OF BOARDS PURELY BECAUSE RACING MINISTER HAS BEEN SIDELINED
THERE have been so many conspiracy theories and concerns expressed about the delay in naming the new Boards to run the three codes of racing in Queensland that we decided to seek some answers from the Minister’s Office.
They insist there is nothing sinister to be read into the delay which has been purely coincidental. “It was originally planned the racing board announcements would be made before Easter,” a spokesperson for Racing Minister Steve Dickson said.
“However, due to Minister Dickson’s urgent spinal surgery, this decision was deferred. It’s anticipated that an announcement on the Boards will be made in the coming weeks.”
We are advised that the naming of the Boards doesn’t have to occur during a sitting of Parliament.
“Applications were sought from qualified people who had garnered wide industry support. The recruitment process has been undertaken by an independent selection panel of impeccable standing,” the Ministerial spokesperson said.
“In stark contrast to the past, we have designed a Board appointment process that is both transparent and at arm’s length from Government.”
We did ask if the delay had anything to do with speculation of a harness racing challenge to the appointment but did not receive a response to that.
Some are however asking if the Interim Board ‘officially’ completed its term at the end of March, then who is running the show and posing the question is Racing Queensland rudderless at present. We would assume the term of the Interim control body has been extended until the new Boards are announced.
SPRING CARNIVAL PROVIDES ANOTHER MAJOR BOOST FOR VICTORIAN ECONOMY
VICTORIAN Premier and Racing Minister Denis Napthine joined RV CEO Bernard Saundry for the release of the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival Economic Impact Study which showed it generated $620 million for the Victorian economy.
Saundry said the Spring racing phenomena was unrivalled in Australia. “The carnival is an iconic and integral component of the state’s sporting, social and cultural landscape and a great asset to the state of Victoria.
“Our international audience continues to climb thanks to record levels of international participation in 2012, further promoting the state of Victoria and profile of Victorian racing on the world stage.”
The 2012 Spring Racing Carnival covered 115 race meetings across Melbourne and country Victoria running from 22 September to 25 November 2012, with attendances well up on the previous year.
While the feature Group 1 races at Caulfield, Moonee Valley and Flemington garner much of the public attention, country racing also enjoyed a successful Spring Racing Carnival with almost 185,000 attendances over 100 race days across the state, an increase of 5.3 per cent from 2011.
Dr Napthine described the Spring Carnival as ‘a flagship event on both the Australian and international racing calendar’ and pointed out that most importantly ‘it is a growing source of employment and economic benefit to Victoria.
“The overall gross economic benefit to Victoria was $620.1 million which is an increase of 7.2 per cent, on the 2011 Spring Racing Carnival.
“The 2012 carnival attracted over 706,000 attendances to race meetings throughout the state and injected hundreds of millions of dollars into Victoria’s tourism, hospitality and retail industries.
“The carnival again proved to be a massive drawcard for interstate and overseas visitors with more than 67,000 individuals visiting Victoria for the purpose of attending the Spring Racing Carnival and accounting for 165,000 race day attendances across the state.”
Highlights from the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival Economic Impact Study included:
- $620.1 million Gross Economic Benefit
- Total attendance 706,840
- Event-motivated interstate visitors increased by 19.7% to 67,721
- Total direct spending grew 8% to $329.7 million
- Attendance at Moonee Valley night meetings grew 25%
- Attendance at country Cup meetings grew %8.7% to 93,733
LUKE NOLEN WILL SEE THE FUNNY SIDE OF THIS JOKE DOING THE ROUNDS
WE were a little light on for ‘good news’ this week so decided to give this racing joke doing the rounds a run:
ON a light-hearted note this joke is doing the rounds, which no doubt Luke Nolen would see the funny side of:
TWO female teachers took a group of students from Grades 1, 2 and 3 for a field trip to Flemington racecourse.
When it was time to take the children to the 'bathroom', it was decided that the girls would go with one teacher and the boys would go with the other.
The teacher assigned to the boys was waiting outside the men's toilet when one of the boys came out and told her that none of them could reach the urinal.
Having no choice, she went inside, helped the little boys with their pants, and began hoisting them up one by one, holding on to them to direct the flow away from their clothes and shake them dry.
As she lifted one boy up, she couldn't help but notice that he was unusually well endowed.
Trying not to show that she was staring at his equipment the teacher said, 'You must be in Grade 3?
'No ma'am', he replied. 'I'm riding Black Caviar in the next race, but I really appreciate your help.'
ARB ASSESSING WELFARE ISSUES INVOLVED IN HYPOXIC TRAINING OF HORSES
THE Australian Racing Board has undertaken a scientific assessment of altitude/hypoxic training in horses to address potential welfare, probity and public perception issues.
The concern is that hypoxic training in horses by intermittently breathing a gas mix with artificially reduced percentage of oxygen through a mask or in a chamber promotes a transient red blood cell production response.
However, there are currently no definitive, rigorously peer-reviewed studies that demonstrate a performance effect, beneficial or otherwise.
Hypoxic training can be compared with other novel training modalities such as hill work, interval training, beach training and aqua walkers and is unlikely to be capable of improving a horse’s performance beyond its genetic potential.
On the basis of current scientific knowledge of the effects of hypoxic training in horses, the ARB does not believe that this technology warrants regulation at this time.
However, authorities will continue to monitor the science and if evidence in the future suggests that hypoxic training should be regulated, the ARB will act.
Investors in equipment or infrastructure for the purposes of altitude/hypoxic training should take note that there are ongoing research efforts into the technology with unknown outcomes.
BRC SECONDS FORMER TURF EDITOR TO ENTERTAIN WINNING OWNERS
WE received a couple of e-mails from Bart Sinclair fans commenting on how good it was to see the former long-time racing journalist had not been totally lost to the industry.
Bart has reportedly been seconded by his old mates from the Brisbane Racing Club to entertain winning owners in the directors’ room after each race of a Saturday.
It’s a far more laid back scenario from having to dash between the press room and the enclosure room to meet deadlines for The Sunday Mail on a weekly basis.
The BRC is certainly proving somewhat of a retirement village with a weekly earn for media men of yester-year who were supportive of them during their working careers.
Another is former race-caller Wayne Wilson, who has made more comebacks than Johnny Farnham and was again in action at the Bundaberg Charity Meeting last Saturday.
Wayne now hosts the track-side television coverage for the BRC although we understand that has hit a hurdle because the club cannot afford to replace some broken equipment.
The narks are suggesting that surely Stevie Wonder can ask his old boss and close confidante King Kev for another RQ handout.
AND now to the BAD
WAS THE NASH RAWILLER RIDE ON MORE JOYOUS ‘UNLUCKY’ OR ‘BAD’?
THERE was plenty of comment from punters on the Nash Rawiller ride on More Joyous and most declared it ‘bad’ rather than ‘unlucky.’
Some repeated the words of Sydney Telegraph columnist Ken Callander:
‘FORGET about being unlucky or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you are on a $1.65 favorite your job is to be in the right place at the right time and to give your mount every chance of winning.’
Others highlighted a growing rivalry between Rawiller and Hugh Bowman, which isn’t a bad thing for Sydney racing, considering, in the opinion of many professional punters, it has been ‘on the nose’ for some time now.
There was general agreement with the comment by Max Presnell penned in the Sydney Morning Herald that perhaps it was ‘payback time’ for Bowman when they clashed in the Queen of the Turf on Saturday.
A few weeks back, the sidelined Rawiller, commenting for TVN, was critical of Bowman on Red Tracer and Rawiller took over to score on the mare next start. Incidentally, she was second to Appearance on Saturday while Streama filled third with More Joyous still looking to get clear.
As Bowman later told stewards, he gave Rawiller on More Joyous the ‘sniff of a run’ in the straight after putting them in a pocket earlier. It turned into an obnoxious pong for favorite backers as More Joyous ran out of room.
''It's a group 1 day and good jockeys being competitive,'' Craig Williams, involved in the tactical battle, told stewards, hitting the nail on the head.
However, the fact remains More Joyous should have won but didn't.
As Presnell wrote: Rawiller had a throw at the stumps but, on a good thing, shouldn’t have been in such a desperate position. Certainly he wasn't on Pierro, outside and flowing, clear of the squeeze box in the George Ryder.
Wags were quick to point out when owner John Singleton, owner of More Joyous, left Rosehill in his helicopter that Rawiller would be on board but a passenger could be lost over Sydney Harbour.
Despite Bowman notching a G1 double with terrific rides on Norzita in the Vinery and Fiveandahalfstar in The BMW, the critics were quick to point that his ride on Hot Snitzel wasn’t all that flash at its previous start. That horse, beaten at $3.70 at Rosehill, came out at far more attractive odds and won with Blake Shinn up on Saturday.
RACING COVERAGE AT AN ALL-TIME LOW IN THE TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN
WE had a couple of e-mails from North Queensland highlighting how bad the racing coverage has degenerated to at the Townsville Bulletin.
An example was the coverage of the sponsorship announcement for the Townsville Cup where the journalist obviously knew about as much about horse racing as he did about planting petunias.
Here is the slant he took on the news that RSL Queensland would take over as sponsors of the north’s richest race from Jupiter’s Casino:
THE gates are set for what could be a bumper Townsville Cup if early season activity is anything to go by.
Townsville Turf Club chief executive Michael Charge said business had been steady at Cluden during the summer which was at odds with the usual lull experienced before the winter racing period.
“It’s probably a little early to tell, but we’re starting to see a good number of local horses coming into work now,” Charge said. “Our race fields for this time of year have been very good.
“In summer we usually see a drop but there’s been some very good purchases and people have paid good money trying to win a good two-year-old for the Townsville Cup.
“I guess it’s a couple of days that everyone wants to be involved in and win.”
(We won’t go on as it gets more embarrassing but this is what happens when you assign a rugby league writer who knows nothing about racing to cover an event like this. The late Jim Gibbard, Editor and owner of the Townsville Bulletin, loved his racing and would be rolling in his grave to read such tripe. Not to mention how embarrassing the coverage must have been for TTC CEO Michael Charge and new chairman Kevin O’Keefe who are working hard to make a success of their biggest carnival of the year).
THAT was almost as bad as the Morning Bulletin reporter from Rockhampton who reported that 50,000 pigs had been washed down the river after the big flood. The actual quote was ‘50 sows and pigs.’
RACING MANAGER FOR THE QUEEN QUESTIONED FOLLOWING APPARENT SUICIDE
JOHN Warren, Racing Manager for Queen Elizabeth, is being questioned by British authorities following the apparent suicide of Highclere Stud assistant farm manager Derek Larkin.
Larkin was found hanging in a stable outbuilding following accusations that he was the author behind spoof account Lord John Warren, which made numerous quips about British celebrities and the Royal Family.
An anonymous email was sent to several people in the racing industry last week, after which tweets from both John Larkin’s personal account and the John Warren parody account ceased. Larkin was found dead last Wednesday.
Area police say Warren is not part of a criminal inquiry, but that they are compiling a report on the death.
AND FINALLY THE UGLY
‘PIERRO OUR BEST HORSE IN 50 YEARS’ – GAI’S MOUTH IN OVER-DRIVE YET AGAIN
FROM the e-mails that we received many were far from impressed by the Gai Waterhouse claim that Pierro is the best horse Australia has seen in 50 years.
Many agreed with the sentiments of KEN CALLANDER in the SYDNEY TELEGRAPH where he wrote:
‘OUT of respect to Black Caviar, Kingston Town, Might And Power and one or two others, I won't comment on Waterhouse's statement that Pierro is the best horse we have seen in Australia in 50 years.’
Most race-goers realize that the Waterhouse mouth goes into over-drive whenever she wins a big race. Pierro is a great horse and a rising champion but the three-year-old has a long way to go to emulate the feats of some of the greats of the Australian turf.
LACK OF INTEGRITY DEPARTMENT PRECLUDES AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION
WE continue to receive e-mails claiming a former high profile Racing Queensland official now working for the Government is at the centre of the problems that continue to confront former Toowoomba studmaster Steve Hogno.
There has to be a reason for what many believe to be discrimination against Hogno who did nothing more than compete at a Government and Police approved Fun Race Day at Kooralbyn 14 years ago.
He has since lost his $1 million farm and ajistment property and faces bankruptcy after spending more than $250,000 beating an RQ imposed life ban.
Our e-mailers suggest that the call for help Hogno wrote to Racing Minister Steve Dickson fell on deaf ears because out of sheer coincidence a Government bureaucrat calling the shots was with RQ when the Hogno hunt was instigated by stewards over a decade ago.
If this is the case the whole matter should be the subject of a CMC inquiry or more to the point it should be investigated by an independent Racing Integrity Department. Unfortunately Queensland does not have one as was promised by the LNP Government when they were elected a year ago.
Now here are the e-mail contributions in full that we have elected to publish this week with apologies to those who missed out:
‘BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME’ PHILOSPHY TO BE PUT TO THE TEST IN SYDNEY
‘THE ‘build it and they will come’ philosophy of club officials who are pouring tens of millions into new grandstand complexes at major tracks could see many of them wind up with egg on their faces.
Warning signs have been evident for some time that the numbers once attracted by big race days are no long realistic with the exception of Cup week in Melbourne.
Golden Slipper day at Rosehill on Saturday was a great example when less than 20,000 turned out. Apart from the attraction of the world’s richest two-year-old race, there was the appearance of champions in Pierro and More Joyous.
That didn’t matter – and apart from the weather which would have kept some away – the attendance was extremely disappointing and must be of a major concern to industry leaders.
The question that needs to be asked is: Can racing afford to outlay tens of millions on magnificent new grandstands if they aren’t going to be used to capacity even on a few occasions during the year?
Randwick should not use the appearance of Black Caviar next Saturday as an accurate guide. The champion mare has proved a crowd block-buster wherever she goes and this will be the first chance that Sydney race-goers have had to see her in action on their home turf.’ – Dave Hudson, Sydney.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Those who road-tested the section of the Randwick upgrade that was open on Easter Monday were glowing in their praise. In this day and age multi-use of a complex of this magnitude and cost is all-important. The location of Rosehill is no bonus for race-goers especially when the weather is wet. Melbourne has shown it can still draw big crowds to major meetings. There is no reason Sydney cannot do the same provided officials bite the bullet and go back to the original carnival timeslots working around the Easter long weekend.
IS THE ADMISSION COST FOR MAJOR RACE DAYS CAUSING CROWD DOWNTURN?
‘OFFICIALS concerned by the downturn in crowds can blame two things – the cost of getting through the gate for these big days and the fact that live coverage is now being permitted on free-to-air as well as the racing channels linked to the pay services.
Punters are no longer as interested in getting dressed up, having to pay a high price to get through the gate simply for the opportunity to lose their money, then ripped off on food and drink.
They can wander down the road in casual attire to their local pub or club, meet their mates, entry is free, food and drink is much cheaper and they can still watch the races live and have a punt on the TAB or by phone with their bookmaker.
The race clubs have created the monster now they are trying to deal with it by building monolithic grandstand facilities to try and lure the crowds back. It won’t work if you are asking them to pay too much for a day out when on many occasions they lose their money on the punt as well.
There is too much rivalry for the entertainment dollar – like the football where dad can take the kids along for an afternoon out at a lot less cost.
With major race clubs selling out to the free-to-air TV networks those who traditionally went to the races now prefer to watch the action in the comfort on their own homes rather than confront the hassle and cost of going to the track.’ – Mike Giddins, Sydney.
EDITOR’S NOTE: You make some good points Mike. The cost of getting through the gate for some of these big race days is becoming quite ridiculous. Punters, in particular, are questioning why they should pay for the privilege of losing their money when they can just stroll down the road to their local pub or club, walk through the door free of charge and not pay through the nose for food or drink. Racing has got to become more competitive as the battle intensifies for the entertainment dollar or it is going to continue to lose out.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW ‘ONE-SIDED’ THIS MERGER OF EQUALS IS
‘HOW do you think the directors of the old Brisbane Turf Club would have copped the decision to transfer the BTC Cup from Doomben to Eagle Farm to accommodate Black Caviar?
It would not have been on but because of the ‘merger of equals’ Doomben continues to play the ‘poor relation’ to Eagle Farm which was always going to happen.
There should never have been any interference – I will call it that which will no doubt be denied – by the boss of Racing Queensland who was formerly the chairman of the Brisbane Racing Club.
Doomben has hosted some champions during carnivals over the years and as facilities go has some of the best in the land. Eagle Farm might be able to accommodate 50,000 but it is pie-in-the-sky stuff to even suggest Black Caviar will attract a crowd of that size in Brisbane.
One committee, one merged club, one decision making body, but two tracks – this is the downside for Doomben which one wonders how long it will take before the ‘for sale’ sign goes up to ensure that Eagle Farm becomes even bigger and better.’ – Peter English, Toowoomba.
EDITOR’S NOTE: THIS was a joint decision made by Racing Queensland in conjunction with the Brisbane Racing Club. It would never have happened before the merger but that’s ancient history. Doomben accommodated a crowd of more than 20,000 last year and if this is to be her final Australian appearance that will no doubt be bettered this time and they deserve to watch her in comfort and not jammed in like sardines.
HERE’S a story on the switch by NATHAN EXELBY in THE COURIER-MAIL:
A DECISION to switch the BTC Cup from Doomben to Eagle Farm has boosted hopes of a Black Caviar Brisbane appearance next month.
As anticipation builds of a record price for Black Caviar's brother in Sydney, officials have confirmed the race switch which anticipates the world's best sprinter making a return to Brisbane.
The Brisbane Racing Club and Racing Queensland announced (that) the BTC Cup, run at Doomben every year since its inception in 1964, would be transferred to Eagle Farm on May 11.
Officials have made the move to accommodate a bigger crowd, even though Black Caviar is yet to be confirmed for the race.
"It is such an unbelievable treat to see her race," BRC chairman Neville Bell said.
"If she comes we want as many people as possible to be able to see it."
Connections of the unbeaten superstar have not locked in anything beyond next week's T.J. Smith, but BRC officials remain in contact with owners and have ensured all bases are covered to give Brisbane a chance to see her race again.
Black Caviar's only Brisbane appearance produced a modern record crowd of more than 20,000 at Doomben for the 2011 BTC Cup.
The move had to be locked in to allow time to plan for the day. It has forced the change of the Victory Stakes on April 27 to be moved from Eagle Farm to Doomben.
QUEENSLAND FALLS FURTHER BEHIND WHEN IT COMES TO INTEGRITY
‘RACING Victoria continues to make the authorities in other states, especially Queensland, look second rate.
Yet another initiative in Integrity was announced in the past few days while we in the north wait for the Government and Racing Queensland to get off their fat behinds and not only appoint control bodies but an independent investigative body.
Perhaps one of the reasons for the decline in race crowds in New South Wales is a lack of confidence in the product. Stewards walking through stable complexes on race meetings has an element of the children’s game ‘Hide and Seek’ to it – with them almost calling out ‘Coming, ready or not?’
It’s degenerated into nursery rhyme, kiddy-stuff in Queensland too where the Government and the Interim Board don’t seem to give a continental about integrity. If they did why have they allowed the Integrity Department – as bad as it was in the eyes of some – to degenerate into non-existence.
It’s not as though everything is squeaky clean in the Sunshine State. Rumors about treatment of horses and how they are being ‘prepared’ at certain establishments are so widespread that even the Blind Man with the Labrador collecting at the gate to the track is aware of what is being suggested.
With what has happened in the past six months the expectation that there will be little change to the Interim Boards when the new ones are finally announced isn’t sending waves of confidence through the industry or the punting public in Queensland.
Instead of worrying about looking after their mates at Eagle Farm and Toowoomba, not to mention the ‘red hots’ it’s time for some action at the station where integrity is concerned at RQ before it is too late.’ – Steve Matheson, Gold Coast.
EDITOR’S NOTE: My feelings on an Integrity Department – or lack of it – in racing in Queensland are well documented. The first thing the new Board should do when appointed is start to follow the lead of what is happening in Victoria but don’t hold your breath. Here’s the latest innovation which shows why Victoria is streets ahead of any other state when it comes to integrity:
RACING Victoria’s (RV) desire to maintain its position as a national leader in sports integrity has been affirmed through further enhancements to its integrity program announced today.
The RV Board has approved the following initiatives which strengthen the policing of and compliance with the Rules of Racing and afford RV stewards with greater powers:
Jockey betting declarations – The annual licence renewal process will now be contingent on jockeys signing a declaration that they have not bet on thoroughbred racing anywhere in the world in the previous racing season. The declaration period will take effect from 1 May 2013 with strong minimum penalties to apply if a breach occurs.
Form analysis declaration – As part of the annual licence renewal process, jockeys will now also be required to identify persons that that they will call upon to provide professional advice on form analysis, including speed maps and pre-race tactics.
New stand down powers – A new Local Rule 72C which provides the stewards with an express power to stand down a person once they are charged with a serious offence if that person’s continued participation undermines the sport’s image or integrity.
Today’s announcement brings to nine the number of major integrity enhancements introduced to Victorian thoroughbred racing since the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival.
RV Chief Executive Officer, Bernard Saundry, who took office on 1 December 2012, said the enhancements ensured RV remained a national leader on integrity, whilst reminding the minority of participants that seek to cheat that they will be caught and penalized appropriately.
“Our commitment to integrity is unrivalled by any sporting organization in Australia and the suite of enhancements unveiled since the Spring Racing Carnival demonstrates our unwavering desire to build upon that commitment,” Saundry said.
“Racing Victoria spends $15 million annually on integrity and stewarding and the industry employs more than 80 staff across Racing Victoria and our drug laboratory, RASL, to manage the integrity of the sport and police the Rules of Racing.
“The introduction of ‘no betting’ and form analyst declarations for jockeys, together with new stand down powers brings to nine the number of major integrity enhancements made since the Spring Racing Carnival and are a clear reminder to all that cheating will not be tolerated in this sport.
“We are pleased to have the support of the Victorian Jockeys’ Association (VJA) in being the first organization to introduce a ‘no betting’ declaration for jockeys which serves as a critical reminder for riders about their obligations under the rules and the new significant penalties that apply.”
“The VJA has worked closely with RV on developing this model and we are supportive of the recommendation,” Des O’Keeffe, Executive Officer of the VJA, said.
“The VJA and our members are as committed as RV to further strengthening the integrity of our sport and the public’s confidence in it.”
For 2013-14 license renewals taken in July, jockeys will need to sign a ‘no betting’ declaration for the period from 1 May 2013 to 30 June 2013. This will extend to a full year in subsequent renewals.
Under the new minimum penalty regime adopted by the RV Board from 1 March 2013, jockeys who bet on a race in which they’re competing face a minimum two-year disqualification.
The suite of nine major enhancements declared by RV since the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival is:
Stiffer minimum penalties for cheating: Significant penalties for serious offences, with minimum disqualifications ranging from six months to five years for offences including jockey betting, corruption and administration of drugs. Introduced 1 March 2013.
No race-day treatments and increased drug testing of horses: Prohibition on administration of treatments, including stomach tubing and alkalinising agents, extended to one clear day before race-day and increased race-day testing of racehorses by RV’s veterinary team and world class testing laboratory, RASL.
More racing investigators: Expanded Compliance Assurance Team (CAT) from six to eight members to increase oversight of investigations, stable inspections, bet monitoring and out-of-competition testing. Two ex-Victoria Police detectives commence in May 2013 and bring cutting edge and contemporary police investigative experience to CAT.
‘No Bet’ declarations for jockeys: License renewal for all jockeys from 1 May 2013 to be contingent on signing a declaration that they have not bet on any thoroughbred racing. The initial declarations will cover the period 1 May 2013 to 30 June 2013, and will extend to full years in subsequent renewals.
Declaration of form advisors for jockeys: Effective from the 2013-14 licence renewal, jockeys will be required to declare form analysts that they receive professional advice from.
Immediate stand down if charged: The ability, effective immediately, to stand down a licensed person once they are charged with a serious offence, if that person’s continued participation undermines the sport’s image or integrity.
Racetrack exclusion for undesirable people: The ability to warn off, disqualify or suspend any person once the Chief Commissioner of Police has issued a racetrack exclusion order against that person, effective December 2012.
Development of stewards race-day hub: The building of a new race-day control room at RV’s Flemington offices to allow an ‘off site’ stewards’ panel to analyse race footage and betting in real time to support stewards officiating ‘on the ground’ at race meetings.
Improved bet monitoring: A new requirement for all wagering operators from 30 June 2013 (the commencement of the new race fields approval period) to provide more detailed and frequent feeds of betting information to allow more detailed analysisof betting trends and irregularities.
In making today’s announcement, Saundry outlined that RV is continuing to work closely with the State Government, Harness Racing Victoria and Greyhound Racing Victoria as a part of a review of integrity management structures across the three codes to ensure they represent best practice.
ALLEGATIONS OF FAVORITISM IN QUEENSLAND RACING HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR BOARD CHANGE
BELOW is a copy of a letter doing the rounds in Queensland which has reportedly been written by a high profile racing identity on the Sunshine Coast.
‘WELL Minister – it’s only half right - the Sunny Coast Turf Club race dates for next season.
The reduction of 35 Sunday meetings is heading back in the right direction for the pioneers of Sunday racing now allocated 31 in Racing Queensland’s Take Two, still a mile away from the current 49.
Those concerned brides must have got through to RQ’s chief Kevin Dixon, because hey presto those 10 special Saturdays are now race free.
They are protected to the extent that RQ has not allocated a Friday, Saturday or Sunday meeting for eight weekends at the Sunny Coast.
How do you do it - Kevin?
The Toowoomba Chairman must have been on the bat phone to Kevin as the Weetwood race day is scheduled for the first time on a Saturday - probably signs of things to come, Saturday metropolitan status written all over it.
Minister, it is ludicrous that the Toowoomba Club can dip into the $110 million State Government pot to put down an inferior 19m wide grass track, at capacity probably 13 starters.
Minister you must be aware now, The White Shoe Brigade and Kevin Dixon have it in for any club that received improvements from Bob the Builder.
To cut a professional race club to conduct trials at areas like Innisfail or Gatton, when turnover is paramount to sustain a flailing industry, just does not make sense.
You’ve still a long way to go Minister!’
EDITOR’S NOTE: The sooner they get these new Boards appointed the better but if there is not some independence on the All Codes body then this sort of bad blood is going to continue. The relationship between RQ and the TTC is finger down the throat stuff. If the Weetwood secures ‘stand alone’ status there would need to be a turf track that can accommodate more starters than the new one is reported to and there would want to be a secondary meeting in Brisbane. We have also overnight received some interesting statistics that show how much has been lost to racing in Mackay due to the dates changes and will run that next week.
PUNTER WANTS STEWARDS TO CHECK YOUNG TOM’S BETS ON GAI’S HORSES
WE have edited this email because excerpts from it warrant publication but we don’t want to wind up in a legal battle with Tom Waterhouse as Peter Fitzsimmons of the Sydney Morning Herald has. But punters are entitled to their opinion as much as stewards, bookmakers and trainers are.
Here is what ‘Bob the Punter’ had to say:
‘I am not a serious punter but I do like to have a couple of dollars on doubles and quadrellas on Sydney races of a Saturday.
For some time now I have been reading just about all of Ken Callander’s articles in Monday’s Daily Telegraph.
Maybe I have a suspicious mind or read too much into what he has to say, but so often he questions the poor running of red hot favorites and is often critical of the way the horse was ridden.
One such comment was made about Nash Rawiller and his ride on More Joyous at Rosehill (last) Saturday.
I agree with Ken that you have a top jockey riding a top class racehorse starting favorite at a $1.35 with the next horse in the betting at $10 in a field of also-rans.
What (possible) excuse could Rawiller have and why wasn’t he questioned by the stewards?
This result did not affect me because I never back horses trained by Gai Waterhouse.
I may be wrong and this complaint may never be printed but I firmly believe that (the form of some of her favorites is hard to follow).
I am amazed that John Singleton still has More Joyous with Waterhouse after last Saturday’s performance but more so after the Cox Plate debacle and the deliberate choice of the bad barrier draw. As a result the horse again ridden by Rawiller ran 11th in a field of 14.
I will now get to the point regarding my reason for submitting this email and that is to ask if the stewards ever examine the bets taken by Tom Waterhouse on horses trained by his mother. (This is not to suggest anything untoward is happening but more so for the peace of mind and protection of punters in racing which is such a suspicious game).
If nothing else there would appear to be a conflict of interest and random checks by stewards would put punters’ minds at rest.
I do not expect a reply to my comments but I would hope that they are passed on to Ken Callander.’ - My email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
EDITOR’S NOTE: We had no problem publishing your comments Bob and in fact welcome them. The conflict of interest between mother and son that you speak of was raised when Gai’s husband Robbie was fielding. Racing is such an opinion business that there have been occasions where Tom has publicly stated that he disagrees with his mother’s declaration of a hot favorite and will in fact be taking it on. You do however raise an interesting question of whether stewards monitor the betting activities of young Tom in relation to his mother’s horses. Of course, if he happened to take one on, then the obvious excuse would be that he does his own form, makes up his own mind and isn’t swayed by the confidence that Gai sometimes shows. The answer’s a pineapple.
PERHAPS THE STEWARDS IN SYDNEY COULD TAKE A LEAF OUT OF THE AMERICAN BOOK
‘I read the Chief Stewards’ report from the Golden Slipper meeting last weekend with interest.
In brief, the stand out issue for the day was that the Sydney Stewards went for a walk through some stables early in the day.
In the meantime Stewards in Victoria are having a field day lumbering trainers visiting the State from all around the Country who attempt to treat their runners on race morning.
WHY IS IT SO?
Perhaps the near non-existent Integrity Departments at Racing Queensland and NSW are concerned about the ramifications of imposing the NSW/Queensland mandatory penalties for drug offences?
This habit of walking through stable blocks as they do in Sydney on race morning must be very humiliating to the Stewards concerned who know full well they are being laughed at behind their backs.
To those of you who are interested in INTEGRITY issues outside Australia I suggest you read the PAULOCK REPORT from the States.’ - Bruce Lemon Ipswich.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We decided to follow up on your suggestion concerning the report by RAY PAULOCK on a leading American racing website where he wrote the following story under the headline: EXTRA RACE SECURITY BRINGS CONFIDENCE, PEACE OF MIND.
YOU know the drill: shoes off, pockets empty, laptop out of the case. It’s what travelers have come to expect in the post-9/11 days of air travel in the United States. Transportation Security Administration officials aren’t accusing you or any other passenger of doing anything wrong; they are simply looking out for the best interests of all of us.
And so it goes with backstretch security, in particular for the horses entered in some major races. No one takes this responsibility more seriously than the Breeders’ Cup, though protocols for race-day and even race-week security took some time to develop.
Let’s go back to 1999, when the Breeders’ Cup was held at Gulfstream Park, and some of the horses competing in the championships were permitted to ship in the afternoon of the race. In the Classic, trainer Jim Bond had one of the hot favorites, Behrens, who had finished first or second in all eight of his starts that year. Bond was stabled at the private training center, Payson Park in Indiantown, Fla., and planned to van Behrens to Gulfstream Park just a few hours before the race.
Another trainer in the Classic, Michael Dickinson, had the 126-1 longshot Supreme Sound. Dickinson was not happy with Bond being able to ship Behrens in so close to the race and hired a private investigator to videotape and monitor Bond’s activities at Payson Park. The PI then followed the van on the 90-minute ride to the racetrack. A different private investigator hired by Dickinson was lurking outside of a barn occupied by another rival trainer in the Classic, video camera in hand.
It was quite the cloak and dagger situation.
Behrens wound up running one of the worst races of his career, finishing seventh as the 2-1 favorite. The last-place finisher was Dickinson-trained Supreme Sound. But Dickinson made his point, and Breeders’ Cup began to tighten security procedures, insisting the following year that horses be on the grounds prior to race day and eventually extending that requirement to 72 hours. Today, those horses are monitored 72 hours pre-race by security personnel, out-of-competition testing is conducted, and extensive post-race drug tests are done on the top finishers.
This week, the New York Racing Association said it planned to conduct similar monitoring of horses entered in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial on Saturday. There is no suggestion that any one of the horsemen have nefarious intentions, but the plan was designed to ensure a level playing field and provide a greater degree of confidence among participants and horseplayers that no horse would get an unfair advantage.
Santa Anita management also adopted a 72-hour pre-race security rule for Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby, but this came about not because of the track’s insistence or because the California Horse Racing Board felt it was a good idea. The Santa Anita plan was pushed by one of the participants, Janine McCullough, general manager of John R. Mabee’s Golden Eagle Farm, which has the longshot Storm Fighter in the race with trainer Bruce Headley.
McCullough spoke with track officials, leadership of Thoroughbred Owners of California, California Thoroughbred Trainers, and the California Horse Racing Board. She even guaranteed to get private funding to pay for the extra security detail. If not for her tireless efforts, this would not have happened.
Not everyone in California with a horse in the Santa Anita Derby is happy about having security guards lurking in their barn for three days. Not everyone standing barefoot in an airport security line, shoes and belt in hand, is happy, either. But there is something good about knowing that the person seated next to you on an airplane didn’t smuggle a weapon onboard.
BLACK CAVIAR BEAT-UP HAS THE PAROCHIAL CROW-EATERS UNDER FIRE
‘IT had to be one of the biggest beat-ups of the decade when officials suggested that Black Caviar could return to Adelaide to race courtesy of the wet weather in Sydney.
They even went as far as saying it would be a risk to take her to Brisbane which was notorious for its wet weather in May.
No-one blames officials for being parochial but to suggest the champion mare will contest the G1 Sangester Classic if she misses Saturday’s T J Smith at Randwick is drawing an extremely long bow.
In the event of that happening one would have thought the odds of her returning to Adelaide were twenty to one and that Brisbane would be odds-on of hosting Black Caviar’s farewell run in Australia.
They have even gone as far as transferring the meeting to Eagle Farm in the hope that Black Caviar will contest the BTC Cup whilst conceding it is still an outside chance.
The only thing I don’t agree with is the assertion that her appearance could draw a crowd of up to 50,000 in Brisbane. That’s almost as big a pipe-dream as the South Australians suggesting she might return to Morphettville.’ – Doug Kenny, Brisbane.
EDITOR’S NOTE: South Australian racing has so little going for it these days that I guess they have to cling to the forlorn glimmer of hope that another visit from Black Caviar might boost the declining image of the sport in that state.
Here’s what CRAIG COOK wrote in the ADELAIDE ADVERTISER that got up the nose of many racing followers, especially those in Queensland who resent his implication it will be wet there in May:
SYDNEY'S wet weather could still deliver Adelaide an improbable bonus of another Black Caviar visit.
The legendary mare is nominated for Saturday's $1 million T J Smith (1200m) at Randwick but trainer Peter Moody has his eyes firmly on the weather.
Moody said yesterday Black Caviar was a certain "non-runner" on heavy ground and may even consider scratching her if the track was slow.
"I'd have to discuss that with the owners," Moody said.
Randwick was rated a heavy 8 for Saturday's Golden Slipper meeting and rain is forecast to continue in Sydney until Thursday.
The experience at Ascot last year - where Black Caviar won by her smallest margin on a bog track - has left Moody wary of running the equine icon on any ground worse than dead.
A perfect record of 24 consecutive victories is too precious to risk.
If Black Caviar misses a run in the T J Smith, Moody will need another option to keep her up to the mark for another possible visit to England in June.
The $400,000 Group 1 Sportingbet Classic (1200m) at Morphettville on April 27 - a race "Nelly" won last year - could be an option.
South Australian Jockey Club chief Brenton Wilkinson did all negotiations with the Moody camp to secure both visits last year and has remained in constant communication.
"I've told Peter that we need very little notice this time to put on a great event given our experience from last year when she came over twice," Wilkinson said.
"Wet tracks haven't been an issue in Adelaide for years and she'll be almost guaranteed a good surface.
"Even if she runs in Sydney I've suggested they see how she pulls up and they can nominate for the Sportingbet on the Tuesday (April 15) anyway."
If Black Caviar misses the T J Smith, Moody's declared second option is the BTC Cup (1200m) - now transferred from Doomben to Eagle Farm - to be run in his home state of Queensland.
The Cup - won by Black Caviar in 2011 - is programmed for May 11 but wet weather is common in the "Sunshine State" in May.
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.
