THIS website continues to listen to what our readers have to say and has introduced a ‘Wednesday Whinge’ where you can express your feelings on racing industry issues of the past week. Try to keep them objective. Just e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
THE focus of our new theme – THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY side of what has happened in racing over the past week continues in the new-look Wednesday Whinge which feedback suggests has been well received by our readers. It gives us an opportunity to provide some of the racing news that is now harder to access or simply isn’t run in the mainstream media because of space restrictions. That doesn’t mean we are steering clear of allowing our readers their weekly whinge on racing topics. This week some stake-holders were far from impressed by the answers Queensland Racing Minister Steve Dickson provided at the Racing Estimates Debate. There was also a backlash from punters after Saturday’s racing in Brisbane when there were major form reversals, upset winners and questionable tactics in a race which attracted stewards’ attention but resulted in no action.
FEW IMPRESSED BY THE ANSWERS MINISTER PROVIDED AT RACING ESTIMATES DEBATE
THE Budget Estimates Debate on Racing in the Queensland Parliament attracted an interesting response, largely from stake-holders, with few impressed by the answers that Racing Minister Steve Dickson provided.
They felt he was protected by the chairman’s insistence that questions were either hypothetical or had been answered satisfactorily. The probing of former Racing Minister Tim Mulherin and United Australia Party parliamentary head Alex Douglas were, in the main, applauded by the critics.
It seems that the LNP Government, the Racing Minister and the Kevin Dixon Board need to answer some pressing questions on where the industry is headed in Queensland before many stakeholders will feel comfortable that there is in fact a viable future and that something is being done to address increasing problems.
Here are a couple of examples of what readers had to say about the situation.
GRANT W of BRISBANE wrote:
WHO’S THE BIGGEST LIGHTWEIGHT AS A RACING MINISTER – MULHERIN OR DICKSON? 
‘WHAT we learnt from the Budget Estimates debate is that the current Racing Minister is a bigger lightweight than his predecessor Tim Mulherin and he would even try to convince the ‘true believers’ of his policies that ‘pigs might fly.’
From an industry perspective, Steve Dickson was far from convincing in his answers to probing questions about the viability and future of the industry.
Every time Tim Mulherin or Alex Douglas asked a reasonable question it was over-ruled on the basis of being hypothetical or already answered.
Talk about a weak approach and pathetic response from a new Government that keeps telling us how much they have done for the racing industry, this just highlights the importance of transparency, or lack of it since the Kevin Dixon Board took over on an interim basis.
What we do now know is that the industry is bleeding $30 million annually in a revenue shortfall; that the new powers-that-be are blaming that entirely on the previous Government and the Bob Bentley Board; that that they are in the process of negotiating a new TAB deal that is promised to be better but there are no guarantees.
It was hardly encouraging stuff looking ahead for an industry that is already lagging far behind the big southern states.
Dr Douglas told us what the industry already knows – that horses are flooding across the NSW border from Queensland every week chasing the far better prizemoney.
What is more concerning is his claim that unless $30 million is immediately injected into prizemoney the Queensland racing industry will not survive. If the Racing Minister disagrees firstly we would like to hear him say so and secondly we would like to know what he plans to do about it – not in the future – but right now.
Instead of answering all the Dorothy Dix questions that were orchestrated before the Budget Estimates hearing and all his political propaganda about what the LNP has done to change the face of racing, it would have been nice to know what they are doing about the looming financial disaster the industry is facing.’
When the going got tough one felt they should have put poor Steve out of his misery and allowed him to 'phone a friend.'
And ANDY L of the GOLD COAST sent this e-mail:
WHO IN QUEENSLAND RACING BELIEVES IN FAIRIES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GARDEN? 
‘IT was another one of those absolute clangers by Racing Minister Steve Dickson at the Budget Estimates debate but not quite up there with his Awards Night promise of making Queensland the leading racing state within a few years.
What was it he said this time? It was this little gem: “I think the people of Queensland would not have a great deal of respect for the Government if we decided to go out there and say that we are going to put a whole lot into prizemoney.”
Well what about the racing industry – you blokes keep telling us that it employs more than 30,000 people – and that it contributes so much to the economy of the State? Isn’t it a bit hypocritical Mr Dickson to say that in one breath but in another suggest there would be no respect from the taxpayers if you didn’t invest in the product you maintain is so important to the State?
We have seen some Racing Ministers over the years that know next to nothing about the industry but you are up there with the worst of them. Even the Labor Government’s poor excuse for a Racing Minister in Tim Mulherin made you look second rate at the Estimates Hearing.
Unless the LNP Government walks away from a TAB involvement with Tattersalls – because the chances of getting a better deal off that mob are next to none – racing in Queensland will fall further behind.
The opportunity is there now to negotiate a deal with the big interstate TABs to ensure a national tote that will combat the corporate betting agencies that are robbing the industry of tens of millions and sending their profits off-shore.
It’s hard to believe that this will happen when the negotiations are being undertaken by officials and politicians who the industry struggles to have much confidence in.
Too many decisions are being made in racing in Queensland that are politically motivated – like this disgusting waste of millions of dollars on a new racing surface at Toowoomba – or on integrity services (like paying ridiculous amounts to stewards) who quite frankly in the opinion of many are failing to deliver.
As Dr Alex Douglas told the Racing Budget Estimates hearing, before he was shut down for asking the wrong questions, “To believe new infrastructure alone will save the industry is to believe in fairies at the bottom of the garden.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: IT won’t matter how good the new TAB deal is, if the punters don’t have any confidence in the racing product they are not going to bet on it regardless of what the owners, trainers, jockeys etc are racing for in prizemoney. D Day is looming for racing in Queensland and the two D’s calling the shots – Dickson and Dixon – will either be remembered as ‘Disasters’ or ‘Dynamos’.
NATHAN, DANIEL, BEN AND STEVE ARE FACES OF THE MEDIA THAT RACING IN QUEENSLAND NEEDS 
THOSE in Queensland racing, who got too used to accepting mainstream media reporting that painted only a distorted image of the industry, except when it was fashionable – for political reasons – to bash those running the show, are struggling to cope with censorship-free, objective websites like letsgohorseracing and justracing.
For too long one Racing Editor single-handedly controlled what was written on horse racing and those who disagreed with his political brief or dared to criticize his mates in high places saw their turf writing careers flushed down the drain.
Times change – he is now yesterday’s man – and there is a new wave of racing writers emerging who hopefully will not be influenced by what occurred in the past.
Nathan Exelby heads the pack at The Courier-Mail and in our opinion is doing a fine job – although many in racing joke that he is still too scared to write anything contentious without asking his former boss first. Give him time!
His side-kick Ben Dorries, who is an extremely popular and versatile sports writer, provides a great back-up. Then there is Daniel Meers from the Gold Coast Bulletin where they call him Gleeso’s love child. He has a terrific journalistic future but deserves much better than being labeled ‘just’ a racing writer.
Steve Hewlett does a terrific job – at times under trying circumstances – bringing the news to listeners of racing radio in Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory. He’s as good as any host of racing radio in this country. What a pity Steve was rewarded for the great job he did running the Punters’ Club at Doomben (when he used to invest what he was paid in the betting pool for the day) by being dumped when the major clubs merged. If there is any justice in the racing world Hewlett will one day wind up with the big job he deserves in the racing radio or television media in this country.
IF ‘POSITIVITY’ IS ALL THEY WANT THEN DON’T LOG ONTO THE OBJECTIVE RACING WEBSITES 
BUT back to the reason for this item and that is the bagging that websites like ours continue to cop from daring to be different or having the guts to criticize officialdom or stewards in an effort to ensure that that the rights of the racing and punting public are protected.
As expected, certain officials weren’t too happy about our swipe last week at the ‘Let’s All Pull Together’ campaign but take it from us plenty of stake-holders were. There were the blogs about those who ‘only want to throw stones’ yet some of those writing them are the first to bleat when they hit a speed bump along the track.
We make no apologies for giving those who are too scared to speak out against the current hierarchy the opportunity to voice their concerns anonymously – the same as we did when the Bentley Board was in power.
We make no apologies for criticizing the waste of industry money and for questioning pie-in-the-sky infrastructure projects, like the new track at Toowoomba and what is currently said to be happening with Albion Park.
We make no apologies for highlighting the fact that in the opinion of many punters Brisbane racing is ‘on the nose’ and how hamstrung the stewards seem to be when it comes to doing anything about it. We will continue to compare integrity in Queensland with that in Victoria which is poles apart.
They can bag us, pretend to ignore us and accuse us of lacking objectivity but at the end of the day the popularity of websites like letsgohorseracing and justracing continues to grow which just goes to show what an increasing number within the industry and thousands of its followers want in their daily coverage.
The sad aspect of the change of Government and leadership in racing in Queensland is that we keep receiving concerning e-mails about two high profile Board members who are especially frustrated in their new positions.
They are entitled to have their say and should be prepared to speak out without fear of breaking solidarity or rocking the boat. They should be going public and confirming that decisions made by the Interim Board were not, in their opinion, in the best interests of the industry – if that is what they believe as we are being told.
But they don’t have the numbers to reverse the situation so nothing is happening. They reckoned when Bob the Builder Bentley was in charge it was a ‘my way or the highway’ mentality. The feedback that we are getting from within the Deagon bunker is that not much has changed since he left.
And the latest word is that the Commission of Inquiry – which even the Deagon dogs are barking was set up to discredit Bentley, Ludwig and the Labor Government – has asked the LNP for additional funding to run for eight months instead of three.
Racing is crying out for desperately-needed prizemoney in the south-east corner especially – but as Minister Steve Dickson told the Estimates Hearing: “I think the people of Queensland would not have a great deal of respect for the Government if we decided to go out there and say that we are going to put a whole lot into prizemoney.”
How does he think the industry will feel – or the people of Queensland – if they spend or waste more millions instead on an inquiry that many regard as nothing more than a politically motivated hatchet job and most believe will achieve nothing – like the ones before it?
SOME INTERESTING STORIES ABOUT NATHAN TINKLER REVEALED IN FOUR CORNERS PROGRAM 
NATHAN TINKLER, the working class bloke who became a billionaire, remains a household name in Australian racing despite being forced to sell some of his prize thoroughbred assets.
The ABC Four Corners program this week: ‘In Search of Nathan Tinkler,’ reported by Stephen Long and presented by Kerry O’Brien, was a ‘must watch’ episode.
Here’s how Fairfax Media previewed the show:
‘What do you do when you engineer a deal that delivers you a $440 million windfall? Spend it, and then set about putting together another deal that will deliver an even bigger bonanza.
That’s what mining magnate Nathan Tinkler did and the strategy made him Australia’s youngest ever billionaire. Now he’s been forced into a fire-sale of assets. Will he rise again or is he down for the count?
“Tinkler sort of indulged all the stereotypical Australian male passions, horse racing, fast cars, footy teams, all of those businesses are money pits, you know. You put a lot of money and you get very little out.”
Four Corners tries to find out what makes Nathan Tinkler tick. How did the boy from Inverell engineer the deals that put him on Australia’s rich list and how did things go wrong?
Reporter Stephen Long tracks down the people who knew Nathan Tinkler as a hard-running rugby league player, those who helped him get to the top and those he burnt along the way.
Long delivers an unvarnished portrait of a man with an apparently insatiable appetite for risk. Whether he’s backing horses or buying coal leases, Tinkler is prepared to roll the dice.
It’s a story that runs from rural Australia to the exclusive foreign enclaves in Singapore, where Tinkler lives away from the spotlight.
At this point in his life he’s made and lost two fortunes; will he come back for another run at the big time?
Some say yes he can:
“He’s too young to be written off and, as I say, he’s got this eye for the underappreciated ssets and that’s a pretty key skill.”
Others aren’t so sure:
“I don’t know how Nathan’s (story) will end. I wish him well. I hope the best for him but it seems that he’s going the same way as that kind of person always seems to go.”
If you missed the Four Corners program on Nathan Tinkler, our advice is go to the ABC website archives and watch it.
BRISBANE RACING – MORESO THE RESULTS – CONTINUE TO COP A BAGGING FROM THE PUNTERS 
MORE form reversals, upset winners and questionable tactics dogged racing in Brisbane on Saturday. Rather than express our opinion which is well documented, here’s what one e-mailer had to say:
PAUL M of SUNSHINE COAST wrote:
ANOTHER Saturday and yet another nail in the coffin for those poor remaining souls who still bet on Brisbane racing.
It was notable that even some of the high profile racing media identities interstate are starting to raise their eyebrows at the results and form reversals in Queensland.
Richard Freedman, the host on Sky World last Saturday, was obviously gob-smacked by the run of favorites being beaten and the upset results that continued to occur.
One race attracted plenty of comment – not only because of the way it was run – but the winner was backed off the map and turned in a form reversal while the favorite dropped out like it was shot.
As usual stewards held an inquiry and determined there was nothing untoward with the race or the result. Rather than the tactics adopted on the leader, did they not think to question the improvement shown by the winner or the difference in how it was ridden this time?
That was only one of many downsides to the day for punters. The favorite ran last in the first, there were form reversal winners at long odds with explanations noted and one winner was backed for a stack and never looked like getting beaten after flopping badly at odds-on at its two previous starts and it was all put down to an improved track without even a question being asked.
AND this one from JASON P of BRISBANE:
‘WHEN is Racing Queensland going to ask its over-paid stewards for a please explain on why the form reversals continue and more heavily backed favorites are beaten than those who salute each Saturday in Brisbane?
The A Team was on the job last Saturday and it was arguably one of the most disgraceful days of racing – from a punters point of view – that has occurred in Australia in the past year.
Favorites were bowled over like nine pins, form reversals were the order of the day, tactics were queried, inquiries were held and the end result was ZILCH.
Punters simply don’t have any confidence in Brisbane racing at present and it is showing in the turnover not only in Queensland but also interstate on the northern product. Why bet in the north when you can get a better run for your money interstate – even Sydney, where for some time it was on the nose, but especially in Melbourne?
When they look a ‘good thing’ in Victoria the punters reckon they traditionally win. When they look a ‘good thing’ in Queensland the punters are reluctant to bet because they have been burnt so often.
The time has come for RQ to bite the bullet and to import a steward with one agenda – to clean the place up. Officialdom obviously believes the sport is squeaky clean in south-east Queensland because the only ones that seem to get time are less than high profile battlers.
And even they are escaping the charges laid against them – like the case of Dale Missen – who many believe should never have been disqualified to start with. What the Appeals Body had to say in their decision was more than a shade embarrassing for RQ.
One could even ask what Jim O’Sullivan has done since he took over as Integrity Commissioner. We know there was a much-publicized jaunt around the state that was never going to bear fruit.
Perhaps the answer lies in the rumors that Patrick Cooper, the one-time Chief Steward in North Queensland, will soon make a comeback. They should appoint him to Brisbane – where he is despised by his colleagues because of his gung-ho attitude – and start cleaning the joint up.
It’s pretty obvious nothing much is going to happen under the current stewardship with the Chief Wade Birch even admitting that there could be some form reversals in the weeks ahead as the tracks dry out. That was very reassuring for the punters.
Read that as you may – but to some it was an open invitation to those who might want to play games to blame it on the weather and walk away from any inquiry that is convened.’
IS THE NEW RACING DISCIPLINARY BOARD ‘EXPERIENCED’ OR A ‘DAD’S ARMY’? 
PAUL J of ROMA sent this e-mail:
‘THE new Racing Disciplinary Board announced by the Racing Minister (Steve Dickson) last week has already been labeled ‘Dad’s Army.’
Experience aside, surely there are some younger people with knowledge of racing and the law as it involves the industry now who would have made ideal candidates.
It seems that what those who chose the RDB were determined to ‘off-load’ any Labor appointees of the past or those that some believe did not ‘toe the company line.’
Peter Bredhauer is a good example. He has worked in just about every facet of the industry as a jockey, trainer, bookmaker, media identity, breeder, race-caller and official. He reads a race well and was highly respected by the stake-holders.
But he had a falling out with the RDB chairman Bill Carter some time ago and was expected to be the first one dispensed with under the new format. I am told he was getting so few appeals under the new Board that the decision didn’t particularly worry him.
Having been around the industry for some time I can tell you that I would rather Bredhauer on the panel hearing my appeal than one particular member who retained his position. Then again the would-be lovers of country music would no doubt disagree with me.’
IS THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS FOR THE NEWLOOK RACING QUEENSLAND POLITICALLY MOTIVATED?
JACK J of the GOLD COAST sent this e-mail:
‘FROM the perspective of someone who has followed racing in Queensland for more years than I care to remember the whole appointment process under the new Government seems to be very politically motivated.
“I’m Kev and I’m here to help,” seems to be the only message that the new Government – especially the de facto Racing Minister Tim Nicholls wants to hear.
The stake-holders – apart from the ‘yes men’ – claim they are continually kept in the dark about the decision-making process.
One wonders how much that also applies to new members of the Board and how many decisions of the Interim body they have been able to challenge, specifically this blatant waste of money of the ‘All For One’ campaign.
Apparently ‘they’ didn’t get the one that was ‘chosen’ to be the new CEO and had to settle for second best – but that seems to be the only little setback suffered by those calling the shots.
Coincidence or not many in racing are pointing to how Bill Carter and Jim O’Sullivan oversaw the Board selection process and then stepped into jobs as Racing Disciplinary Board chairman and Integrity Commissioner.
Enough said on that topic – perhaps they are the right men for the job as time will tell – but the poor old former Queensland Governor Peter Arnison must be feeling really left out.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: I have elected not to comment on the two e-mails above. I want to keep my power dry until I see what happens with the new Racing Disciplinary Board and the workings of Integrity under a Commissioner.
IT’S A BIT RICH WATERHOUSE CALLING FOR OVERHAUL OF THE RULES WHEN SHE’S IN THE WRONG 
BRUCE K of SYDNEY made this contribution:
‘GAI Waterhouse gets fined $2,000 for doing the wrong thing by punters and immediately calls for a major overhaul of the rules that require trainers to report issues that might affect the performance of horses.
She maintains the responsibility should be left to the discretion of the trainer – virtually suggesting the stewards and the punters have no need to know. One would also hope that bookmakers aren’t privileged to that information either.
With all due respects to Ray Murrihy and his panel for at least dealing with Waterhouse on this issue under trying circumstances, the $2,000 fine was simply a slap on the wrist. She should have been fined $100,000 – something more commensurate with the seriousness of her failure to notify an issue with a horse.
For too long trainers like Waterhouse have done basically what they like and got terribly indignant when stewards simply tried to do their jobs and protect the punting public. The time has come for the ‘first lady’ to be put in her place – but don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: HERE are a couple of interesting stories pertaining to the above e-mail:
THE TELEGRAPH reported that Gai Waterhouse has called for an overhaul to the rule requiring trainers to report health issues in horses after being found guilty of not revealing More Joyous was lame leading into the Queen of the Turf Stakes.
Waterhouse already has a case under appeal for not reporting treatment given to the glamour mare before she finished second last in the All Aged Stakes on April 27.
In a post-race interview, the mare’s owner John Singleton launched his infamous public tirade against Waterhouse and sacked her as his trainer, prompting an inquiry after which he was fined $15,000 for misconduct and the trainer fined $5000.
Waterhouse appeared before Racing NSW stewards on Tuesday over the condition of More Joyous which was found to be lame a week before the race but, in Waterhouse’s opinion, was fit later in the week.
”I’m disappointed with the stewards’ decision,” Waterhouse said after being fined $2000. ”I take great care of all my horses and I wouldn’t have raced a horse if it wasn’t fit or healthy.
”The trainers believe the interpretation of this rule is untenable, and the meaning of the rule is already the subject of an appeal that will affect all trainers.”
More Joyous finished fifth in the Queen Of The Turf after being held up for a run with stewards acknowledging on the day she was unlucky not to win.
Waterhouse’s vet Leanne Begg found the mare to have grade two out of five lameness after she worked on Saturday, March 30. A deep-seated hoof abscess was found the following day and the hoof continued to be bathed and poulticed. By acceptance time on Wednesday, the lameness was assessed at 1/5 and Waterhouse declared More Joyous a runner in the group 1 race.
More Joyous did not gallop on the track before the race with Waterhouse instead sending her to Botany Bay to work in the water which she said was just as physically demanding.
”She could not have been fitter,” Waterhouse said. ”I chose to swim her in the most boisterous conditions. Three minutes swimming in Botany Bay is arduous exercise. It’s not just swimming in a pool. It is high cardiovascular work ploughing through the water. She never missed any exercise.”
Waterhouse said as the trainer it was her opinion on the Wednesday that the mare had almost completely recovered and would be at her peak by race day.
Chief steward Ray Murrihy said his panel believed the two cases involving More Joyous were different.
”We do not consider the matter comparable to the issue before the All Aged Stakes when More Joyous was receiving veterinary attention up until the morning of,” he said.
During Tuesday’s inquiry Murrihy asked Waterhouse why she was trying to hide the fact More Joyous was lame just days before the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Murrihy presented a comment to Waterhouse from her foreman at the time Dave Meijer.
According to Meijer’s evidence subsequent to the All Aged Stakes, Murrihy said Waterhouse was trying to cover up the mare’s lameness on the Tuesday before Saturday’s feature event. ”Dave, don’t take her to the pool because everyone will see she’s lame,” Meijer’s statement said.
Murrihy then asked Waterhouse ”Why would you want to hide that? Weren’t you entitled to tell the stewards she was lame?”
Waterhouse replied: ”It’s not a matter for the public.”
Waterhouse said she would consider appealing against Tuesday’s conviction.
AND this item by MAX PRESNELL in the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
PUNTERS should have been informed about the problems confronting More Joyous before the Queen Of The Turf at Rosehill Gardens in April.
Trainer Gai Waterhouse has appealed against the $2000 fine imposed on her by Racing NSW stewards for breaching a rule that deals with reporting "as soon as practicable any condition or occurrence that may affect its [a horse's] running in the race."
More Joyous had been lame for days prior to the Thursday before the Queen Of The Turf.
Yes, Waterhouse has probably had horses which have won following similar setbacks. Indeed, More Joyous was a most unlucky fifth in the Queen Of The Turf on April 6.
The trainer said More Joyous had been kept up to the required fitness level with swimming.
In Hong Kong, John Size, for one, has been fined more severely than Waterhouse for not notifying that he swum horses. Of course, in Honkers, the club employs the vets, so stewards would have known of any treatment to More Joyous and could have taken the appropriate action.
Had Waterhouse reported the More Joyous predicament to the stewards, there is little doubt the mare would have been passed fit when examined by the official vet on race day. After all, no obvious problem was seen in the pre-race parade.
However, More Joyous did have an issue before the Queen Of The Turf that surely came into the realms of something that may have affected performance.
Overlook it and forget the rule.
SYDNEY TAKES ITS BAT AND BALL BECAUSE OF A SPANKING FROM MELBOURNE ON NIGHT RACING 
OSCAR C of MELBOURNE wrote:
‘IT’S the old story – Melbourne is giving Sydney a spanking when it comes to night racing – so the authorities in the Harbor City are ready to take their bat and ball and leave.
Whilst night racing soars in popularity in Victoria – not only at Moonee Valley but also at Cranbourne – the authorities in Sydney plan to slash the number of night meetings in half next summer.
Rather than play second fiddle to Melbourne, these Canterbury meetings will be replaced with twilights at Randwick which could become night’s racing’s new home in Sydney.
It’s like their plans to conduct a carnival that is superior to the spring. It will never happen. Sydney racing will always play a backseat role to Melbourne. Yes I am from Victoria and yes I am a parochial fan of racing in this state.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: HERE’S a story by RAY THOMAS in the DAILY TELEGRAPH on the above issue:
CANTERBURY is falling out of favor as a night racing venue, with the ATC slashing the number of night meetings in half next summer.
The ATC has revealed plans to re-introduce twilight racing at Royal Randwick and, if successful, the track could become night racing's new Sydney home.
There are only five night race meetings scheduled for Canterbury in the 2013-14 season compared to the 10 under lights at the track last season.Cantebury has been Sydney's only night racing venue since its introduction 15 years ago but a combination of small crowds and low betting turnover has forced the ATC to re-think its night racing strategy.
ATC chief executive Darren Pearce said that with the $150 million grandstand redevelopment at Royal Randwick, plus the improved track surface on the Kensington course, the club wanted to experiment with some twilight meetings at headquarters.
"Racing NSW and the ATC have been discussing this issue and we want to get the maximum potential out of the investment in new facilities at Royal Randwick," Pearce said.
"So, we have scheduled a couple of twilight meetings at Randwick as a bit of an experiment to see if punters enjoy these meetings.
"We have held summer twilights at Randwick previously and they have performed a bit better in terms of crowd numbers and atmosphere than a Canterbury night meeting."The reality is that Randwick is more likely to attract Christmas and summer 'party' crowds than Canterbury, so the club is going back there this summer and we will make an assessment from there."
With the state government introducing a light rail network in the Moore Park precinct that will include Royal Randwick, the racetrack will become more accessible by public transport, increasing its appeal as a potential night racing venue.
There are also fewer Sydney race meetings next season - reduced by 10 to 113 race dates - which prompted the ATC to cut in half its under-performing night racing program.
The ATC has not scheduled any race meetings at Canterbury for March and April next year as the track will become a quarantine and training facility if any international gallopers are aimed at the Sydney autumn carnival.
YOU WON’T FIND THIS ON THE RQ WEBSITE BUT HERE IS SOME MORE INFO ON THE DALE MISSEN APPEAL 
WE received several requests to run the QCAT Appeal decision in the case of jockey Dale Missen who beat a 12 month disqualification on a charge of failing to allow a horse to run on its merits.
Plenty in the industry are up in arms at Racing Queensland’s failure to record this ‘embarrassment’ on their website while they were keen to run the results of the original stewards’ inquiry involving Missen.
Here’s an example of what one e-mailer (BRAD T of TOWNSVILLE) had to say:
‘It seems the RQ website has degenerated into a tool for political propaganda praising the LNP Government, the Racing Minister or a feel-good story about Kevin Dixon and his cronies. And I forgot there has to be the regular photo of Kevin and Kay Semour and the wonderful success they are enjoying in their little world of harness racing. Pity if you happen to be some poor battling licensee who suffered at the hands of a bad RQ stewards’ decision only to have it overturned after all but sending yourself to the poor house paying lawyers to fight the case. You won’t read one word about your success in beating them on the supposed voice piece of the industry stakeholders. What a joke!’
The Missen case once again showed how hard it is for stewards to make a charge of ‘failing to allow a horse to run on its merits’ stick even if they have some solid evidence which arguably the panel headed by former trots stipe Norm Torpey didn’t.
Here are excerpts from the ruling Robert King-Scott and David Paratz who headed the QCAT Tribunal that heard the Missen appeal where he was represented by Jim Murdoch, SC.
The case against Missen was presented by Steward in Charge Norm Torpey, senior steward Paul Gillard and casual steward and former champion jockey Geoff Lane.
Missen was represented by Jim Mudoch, SC and evidence was heard on his behalf from retired and highly respected jockey Les Harris.
Parts of the ruling read:
“A notable feature of this case is that despite extensive inquiries, there was no unusual or irregular betting transactions on the race. There was a complete absence of motive for Mr Missen to ‘pull the horse’. A motive is not a necessary requirement to make out the charge under Rule 135 (a) but it would certainly explain conduct that is alleged to be conscious and deliberate, but is otherwise unexplained.
Decisions which, with the benefit of hindsight, can be seen as poor, or even a lack of skill or proper diligence on the day, are not sufficient to make out the charge. There has to be an element of intent. The Tribunal is not satisfied that such an element exists in this case.
The issue for the Tribunal, is whether it is satisfied that Mr Missen made a deliberate and conscious attempt not to allow Destars to run on its merits. The Tribunal is not satisfied on the Briggenshaw standard that the charge has been made out.
The Tribunal was invited to consider a lesser charge. However, Mr Murdoch QC submitted that the Tribunal’s powers of review did not permit it to bring an alternative charge.
Hall of Fame jockey Geoff Lane criticized Missen’s ride based on watching the film of the race.
Lane did not agree with the observation of Harris and the assertion of Missen that Destars was hanging out.
In cross-examination Mr Torpey was asked why the horse was not inspected by a veterinary surgeon and why it was not swabbed after the race. It was suggested that a poorly performing favorite that failed to gain a place would normally warrant stewards ordering a veterinary inspection and a swab. Mr Torpey’s response was that this was not always the case.
It appears to the Tribunal that this pre-determined that Mr Torpey’s opinion that the horse’s poor performance rested solely with the jockey rather than any physical ailment could be the only finding of the inquiry. It would have been more satisfactory if an inspection had been conducted and a swab had been taken and the possibility of a physical ailment or doping ruled out.
Two highly regarded and experienced jockeys reached a contrary view in respect of Mr Missen’s manner of riding in the race in question.
Mr Gillard conceded that in looking at a video ‘it is in the eyes of the beholder.’
BITS AND PIECES
CONTROVERSIAL PUNTER UNDECIDED WHETHER TO FRONT SHOW CAUSE HEARING 
CONTROVERSIAL punter Eddie Hayson has not yet indicated to Racing NSW whether he will attend a show-cause hearing next month.
Racing NSW last week issued Hayson with a "show-cause" why he should not be warned off racetracks.
The high-profile punter and brothel owner has repeatedly refused to reveal the identities of two sources he said provided him with information about champion mare More Joyous's fitness before her poor run in the All Aged Stakes at Randwick on April 27.
THE CASE OF THE MISSING SUSTAINABILITY REVIEW ON THE RQ WEBSITE
WE received this e-mail from PT of BRISBANE and it raises as interesting issue for all concerned in the industry:
‘What happened to the Sustainability Review into racing that ‘The New Broom’ commissioned Deloitte's to undertake?
I think the appointment of Deloitte's was made about May last year.
The Discussion Paper has disappeared from the Racing Queensland website and when I rang RQ to find out where it was, I was told that someone would get back to me but nobody has.’
That’s pretty typical. We’ve referred the matter to the Deputy Chairman of the RQ Board in the hope that he at least might be able to get a more successful answer than us from the Chairman on your behalf PT but don’t hold your breath.
TOM WATERHOUSE AND BET247 DOING BATTLE IN VICTORIAN SUPREME COURT 
TOM Waterhouse has been sued for allegedly withholding almost $250,000 of profit from betting agency Bet247.
THE AGE reports that Bet247 alleged in a writ filed with the Supreme Court of Victoria that the bookmaker, despite a August 2011 deal, withheld from it profit of $247,979 from August 2011 to December 2012.
The plaintiff also claimed interest on the allegedly unpaid profit, a declaration that Mr Waterhouse’s betting house distribute profits within 10 business days after the end of each month, that its profit calculations were shared with Bet247, and that further enquiries and an assessment of the accounts were made. The writ was filed on Monday.
Mr Waterhouse has been at the centre of controversy over sports betting television advertising. His firm has shelled out millions of dollars to grab market share from larger and mostly foreign-owned rivals.
WEEK OF FAREWELLS FOR RACING FRATERNITY IN QUEENSLAND
IT has been a week of farewells in Queensland.
Former jockey turned steward, Graham Ireland, was treated to a retirement bash at the Sunshine Coast last Sunday.
Guests included some of his ex-jockey mates, including the great Graham Cook and colleagues from his years as a steward. RVL Chief Terry Bailey made the trip from Melbourne for the occasion.
A COUPLE of nights later in Brisbane journalistic mates of Brian ‘Bomber’ Burke had a farewell bash for the former turf writer with The Australian and in latter times Sports Editor of The Courier-Mail.
We understand that Brian and his wife Anne are planning to retire to the Sunshine Coast where ‘Bomber’ plans to dabble in some horse breeding and has already bought some broodmares.
BETFAIR REMOVES TURNOVER CHARGE FROM ALL THREE CODES IN QUEENSLAND 
INTERESTING item we noted involves Betfair and Racing Queensland which reads:
BETFAIR is pleased to announce removal of the turnover charge from all three codes of Queensland racing markets from 1 August 2013.
Racing Queensland has maintained its gross revenue model with a floor based on net customer winnings for all three codes.
This follows a similar decision by Racing Victoria and Betfair is pleased that customers who utilize the trading aspects of the exchange can re-engage with these leading racing jurisdictions in their chosen manner.
Now all that RQ has to do is eliminate that silly clause when the new TAB deal is done that currently prevents any organization in racing in Queensland from entering into any sort of arrangement, sponsorship or otherwise, with a gambling entity outside of Tattersall’s.
Once that is done away with we understand that the Brisbane Racing Club will be able to consider an offer for Betfair to become a major sponsor – could we in fact see Eagle Farm become Betfair Farm?
FASHIONS ON THE FIELD CAN THROW UP AN UPSET ON BIG DAYS AS WELL 
BOOKIES don’t bet on the outcome of fashions-on-the-field on glamour race days.
But the contestants take their task very seriously, it seems.
TERRY BUTTS reported in his ‘SILKS & SADDLES’ column that after the first cull of Fashions In the Field entrants on Townsville Cup day there were five dolled-up fillies in the final cut – and one in particular stood out.
She had the form too, being the winner of several such contests down south and often called upon to judge such events.
But while she looked the favourite, she actually had no hope of walking away with the prize of Townsville Cup Lady of the Day that included an Audi or more accurately 12 months lease of an Audi.
The winner had to be a resident of Queensland. So in racing parlance she was left hopelessly at the start.
Worse still she wasn’t told or made aware of the conditions, otherwise: “I would have entered for the Fashionable Filly award,” said the highly disappointed visitor.
We can reveal that the winner was still an extremely popular choice in Rockhampton grandmother-of-three Beverly Smith and that the ‘unlucky loser’ was Ricki Lee Hull, the partner of Melbourne-based jockey Mark Pegus.
MONKEY OFF THE BACK FOR OUR MAN BUTTSY BUT HE STILL CARRIES GOOD MATE ‘MUTTABURRA’ 
SPEAKING of our good mate TERRY BUTTS, who doubles as a racing columnist and racehorse trainer in Townsville, the Cup carnival got the monkey off his back.
Butts, who knocked up training place-getters but was getting rather frustrated with his win-less run, broke through (twice) with the former Victorian Safari, formerly trained by Mick Kent.
“We bought him to win the Townsville Cup but I am convinced now he is better over the shorter distances,” Butts said. “Mark (Pegus) certainly got the best out of him and I am hoping will make the trip back when he next races at the Amateurs.”
Butts, whose other former Victorian galloper Cleaver was an unlucky third on Cup day, rounded off the weekend with his traditional backyard carnival bash for locals and visitors.
He was a shade worried that he might have to erect a Jimmy Sharman-style boxing tent with combatants from the recent jump-out fracas at Cluden invited but there were some notable absentees.
Neighbor and fellow trainer ‘Muttaburra’ Dickson was a notable absentee but there were plenty telling stories about his long lost uncle Steve now the Racing Minister who taught him to play marbles and more believable his near-track dust-up with a notorious Brisbane steward on Cup day over the wearing of a safety vest.
Another of racing’s characters Shane Scriven, rather portly when compared to his riding days, was on a junket in the north in his new job looking after the apprentices for RQ. He took the opportunity to catch up with old mate Steve ‘Shagger’ Sharman (the former jockey who now runs an up-market B and B in Townsville, where accommodation is free if you mention the words ‘Racing Queensland’ at reception).
Scriven was also a guest at the Butts’ party and many were quick to observe that he obviously doesn’t have to worry about his weight these days as he lined up for a couple of helpings of pig on the spit to be washed down by a slab of XXXX.
TRAINER GOT HIS MESSAGE ACROSS TO A BUSH JOCKEY IN A STRANGE WAY 
WE’VE heard of some tracks many years ago at obscure Asian venues where there was a line on the fence in the back of the straight which they called ‘the point of no return.’
If you are to believe the stories there is a suggestion that from this point on the jockeys cannot cause trouble but before that it used to be no-holds-barred.
Well out in the west of Queensland a trainer was having trouble getting his jockey to make his move at the right time.
In desperation he went out and painted a sign beside the track which said: ‘Go now.’
We don’t know whether it worked or not but there was no way the ‘mental midget’ could have missed it – unless he can’t read.
END OF AN ERA AS BOB FRAPPELL ENDS LONG ASSOCIATION WITH TBQA 
TONY J of TOOWOOMBA wrote:
‘DID you read the Media Release from the TBQA about the resignation of long-serving committeeman Bob Frappell?
It seems that Bob is so busy with his commitments to the chairmanship of the Toowoomba Turf Club that he can no longer afford to devote as much time to the Breeders.
That’s like the publican at the Pub with no Beer saying he’s too busy to drink with the patrons. Bob is currently chairman of the club with no track.
The praise lauded on him by Basil Nolen came as no surprise regardless of whether many agree with him.’
EDITOR'S NOTE: I have to say that just because there is no racing at Clifford Park at present doesn't mean the place comes to a standstill. Work has begun on the new track so there is plenty happening. We didn't get the Media Release from the TBQA but have tracked it down and here's what's happening with Bob:
THE Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association is sadly losing one of its strongest personalities.
Bob Frappell has resigned after sixteen years with the TBQA, including serving as President from September 2001 until he resigned from that position in 2010.
Mr Frappell was due for re-election for the 2013-14 TBQA Committee, but made the decision not to nominate for a position.
“The workload as the Chairman of the Toowoomba Turf Club is preventing me from contributing to the degree that is necessary on the TBQA," said Mr Frappell.
"I’m sorry to be leaving, I’ve enjoyed my time with the TBQA, but I believe with the mix of youth and experienced committee members the TBQA is in good hands and will continue to do a fantastic job for the industry.”
TBQA Membership grew substantially under Mr Frappell's leadership and now boasts the second largest membership base inAustralia.
Mr Frappell also played an integral role in the Equine Influenza crisis, including lobbying for an EI vaccine and better quarantine facilities.
He was also at the forefront during negotiations with BiosecurityQueenslandduring the initial Hendra Virus outbreaks and has lobbied State and Federal Government's extensively over the years for funding and improvements for all sections of the breeding and racing industries.
TBQA President, Basil Nolan says Bob's resignation is a real loss to the breeding industry.
"Bob’s input has been great for the thoroughbred industry," said Mr Nolan.
“He has taken us a long way through his understanding of both breeding and racing and during his time with the TBQA he has brought a lot of talents to the table in both his role as Chairman and committee member.
“We hope the TBQA will still be able to call on Bob’s ideas and suggestions in his future.
“The Toowoomba Turf Club is lucky to have him and I’m sure it will thrive under his leadership.”
Mr Nolan, and all of the TBQA Committee, would like to thank Bob for his invaluable contribution over the years and wish him all the best for his future endeavours.
SHOULD RACING VICTORIA BECOME DEBT COLLECTORS FOR THEIR TRAINERS? 
KT of MELBOURNE writes:
‘WHAT a shame Racing Victoria doesn’t want to get more involved in this emerging story of trainers struggling because owners aren’t paying their bills.
It would seem that everyone in the racing food chain is suffering. Granted some of the blame rests with battling trainers who don’t want to lose horses, which places them in a Catch 22 situation if they aren’t being paid fees.
Perhaps RVL should get directly involved in the payment situation. It’s not a foreign concept and I am told happens overseas, especially in the United Kingdom.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: Much has been said about trainers and owners since a group of trainers revealed to MATT STEWART of the HERALD SUN the depth of their woes, and the depth of the debt.
His story revealed the following:
Trainers - and feed merchants and vets - told of crippling debts of up to $1 million.
Trainers most regarded as successful and buffered from the cash-flow crisis of non-paying owners said they were at their wit's end.
Young and small-time trainers told Stewart that unless they were given support - from Racing Victoria – they would be out of business by Christmas.
One well known city trainer has liquidated his stables to fend off bankruptcy.
It's a dire situation with no clear solution, bar owners having a good look at their budget and a good look in the mirror.
Racing Victoria isn't exactly ducking and weaving but it is reluctant to agree to salvage plans that have been put to it.
The push from trainers is that Racing Victoria act in some way as debt collector against rogue owners who reckon paying for a horse is optional, like keeping a puppy beyond Easter.
Trainers would say RVL puts on the show and that trainers and horses are part of that show; that their cash-flow is vital to that show.
Trainers, with the guarded support of the Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners' Association, reckon the industry, whether RVL or whoever, should take credit card details of all owners and debit them when bills aren't paid.
The owners are on board with the trainers but don't appear to be singing exactly from the same song sheet.
Many owners, you'd suspect, would be aghast at the idea that some boffin in some racing department might rip a few grand from their credit card for a horse debt.
Trainers, you'd suspect, would be miffed at TROA's idea that owners who pay on time receive some sort of discount.
Racing Victoria steadfastly refuses to act as debt collector beyond a one-man department that exists to tackle non-payers.
One trainer described that department as a "feather duster".
RVL argues that trainers run their own business and it's up to them to sort their owners out, via contracts and good will.
RVL might say trainers who are owed money are no different than publicans or accountants owed money.
RVL says it is sympathetic to the plight of trainers but isn't signing any agreements just yet.
The RVL sentiment seems to be that if a trainer can't run a profitable business, then maybe the trainer should become someone else's foreman.
Bigger picture-wise there seems to be an industry desire to rein in trainer numbers; consolidate the big and medium stables, let market forces sort out the rest.
Trainer Jason Petch has received support from other trainers in his aggressive pitch to RVL for support, but some have portrayed the small scale trainer as someone who simply can't run a profitable business.
But any trainer, from Petch to Peter Snowden, is entitled to payment, just like the electricity company.
Training racehorses isn't quite like running any other business.
Most trainers place the welfare of the animal above their own. The trainer might eat the wallpaper but the horse, the owner's horse, will not go hungry.
Owners who don't pay are abusing the good will of this unique relationship. Owners know most trainers, in a very competitive environment, would cling on to a half paid-up horse because a horse that owes is better than an empty box.
The gist, perhaps, is that owners must think long and hard about whether they can afford these animals.
Even the syndicate five percenters, usually the less affluent, seduced by the notion that anyone can own part of a horse in the Sport of Kings, can fork out over $200 a month that they really can't afford.
Especially when they've just agreed to another five per cent of another money muncher.
Tough decisions must be made.
RACING VICTORIA CEO PAINTS A GLOOMY PICTURE FOR TRAINING FRATERNITY
AND in breaking news on the above issue the CEO of Racing Victoria BERNARD SAUNDRY has not painted the brightest of picture for the training fraternity in the light of their problems:
Here is a story on this written by MICHAEL SHARKIE in the MELBOURNE AGE:
MARKET forces rather than a move to rationalise training licences in Victoria will see training businesses continue to decline in the next 10 years, according to Racing Victoria chief executive Bernard Saundry.
Only the most viable operations will survive the squeeze, he said.
Debate has raged in recent weeks about the pressure of debt on trainers, with opinion split between those calling on Racing Victoria for assistance, and those who prefer Darwinian logic to apply.
Aware of the pressure Victorian trainers face, Saundry said that although Racing Victoria was working towards better safeguards for trainers, it could not be responsible for the financial viability of struggling stables.
''There is a lot of added strain on trainers these days, particularly from owners who now demand much more information and contact regarding their horses,'' Saundry said.
''There will always be a place for hobby trainers in Victoria, but the fact is that the dynamics of the business model of training is changing and it is changing rapidly. Ultimately it is up to the trainers themselves to change their practices if they want to run a viable business.''
Racing Victoria's Racing to 2020 vision statement published in 2008 identified 1250 training licences at the time, with a projected decline to 700 licences by 2020. But Saundry said that was a natural trend and not a movement by Racing Victoria to rationalise training numbers.
''It's already happening, we're down to 950 licences this year from 1250 five years ago. We're not pushing anyone out, but what we're finding is more of the horses are being trained by stables with more numbers. Market dynamics are working in favour of bigger stables with greater resources.''
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US OFFICIALS THINK THE RACE WAS FIXED FOR A SENTIMENTAL FAVORITE THAT DIDN’T WIN 
IT was a race that could have made history at Fairmount Park in Illinois on Tuesday.
But now State racing officials are looking into whether “the fix was on” when jockey Robert “Cowboy” Jones, 70, rode for the record books.
There was no question who the sentimental favorite was.
“If I win the race today, I will have won a race in seven decades,” Jones said just before the race.
He nearly pulled it off. But now Fairmount Park racing stewards are reviewing the race
to see if his fellow jockeys conspired to let Jones win to become the only known rider to win races in seven decades.
His first victory came in 1959.
With three horses in contention down the stretch on Tuesday, Jones appeared to be the only jockey who went for the whip.
After the race, even Jones seemed surprised at how friendly the other riders were as they circled the track.
“I would expect to see every one of them in the front row at choir practice on Sunday at church,” he laughed. “They’re so polite. They’ll shut somebody off or bump somebody, come back and apologize. When it used to come back and I got bumped, I came back swinging!
“The best thing they could do is to look into it like they are right now. If they find good enough reason, give a suspension to the jockeys, the trainers, and stuff along that line,” said racing fan and Fairmount patron, Luke Bauer.
Fines and suspensions for those involved are among the possible penalties.
Still, Jones finished second, with a very small payout.
There was no sign, as of yet, of dubious “on-the-track” behavior, a source said, but the investigation was not yet finished.
“I do not believe it was a “fix” job. You’ve got a lot of people screaming because they all believed cowboy was going to win. They wanted him to win,” said Clint Hurley, who was there for the race and bet on the winner, OLA D.
“He got beat legit, I’m telling you,” Hurley said.
The cowboy, himself, wouldn’t have it any other way.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in the above e-mails should not be interpreted as those of JOHN LINGARD, the owner-editor 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.
