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..
OUR theme – THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY side of what has happened in racing over the past week continues in the Wednesday Whinge which feedback suggests is what our readers prefer. 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 the key topics of discussion were the penalty handed down to Eddie Hayson compared to Gai Waterhouse over the More Joyous saga; interesting observations on the picnic race day at Deagon in Brisbane on Sunday; more bouquets for racing integrity in Victoria heading to the spring carnival and a host of other topics. We also continue our ‘News That You Might Have Missed During the Week’ section which has proved popular with readers.
GAI WATERHOUSE RECEIVES A TAP ON THE WRIST’ FINE BUT EDDIE HAYSON IS WARNED OFF 
THE news had hardly filtered through about the warning off of Eddie Hayson and perhaps surprisingly there were plenty of comparisons between his penalty and how stewards dealt with Gai Waterhouse and John Singleton, the main players in the More Joyous Saga.
Here is an example that hopefully gets the general message across:
PERCY S of SYDNEY writes:
'AS far as I am concerned Eddie Hayson has got what he deserves.
He shot his mouth off so to speak wanting all and sundry to know when it comes to Racing issues “Eddie knows it all”.
When Eddie had the blow torch treatment applied by the NSW Stewards over the Singleton - Waterhouse affair he didn’t want to prove that he was either all wind or in fact well informed.
There is every chance he was in possession of some sort of relevant information which may have helped the Stewards. After all it is strongly rumored he has close ties with a couple of television personalities who have strong interests in racing.
I do have a great deal of difficulty in coming to terms with the penalties imposed on Mr Singleton, Mrs Waterhouse and Mr Hayson over this affair.
The damage Mr Singleton did to racing on national TV will never be known.
In my opinion the arrogance which was displayed by Mrs Waterhouse over the Stewards having the gall to summon her to an inquiry was quite amazing – to me at least.
From memory Mr Singleton was fined $15,000 and Mrs Waterhouse was fined around $5,000.
Mr Hayson gets six months.
In the opinion of some in racing is it fair and reasonable to ask the following question?
“Is the Eddie Hayson penalty a SQUARE UP?”
I don’t think so but to my way of thinking it is a fair and reasonable question.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: GAI Waterhouse kept the racing public in the dark about More Joyous and gets fined $5,000. Punters lost $10 million on the race. Eddie Hayson, who didn’t have a bet in the race, refused to reveal the sources of his information that More Joyous could not win the All Aged Stakes. He claimed they worked for the Waterhouse stable and wanted to protect them. He gets warned off for six months. If that’s how racing justice works in NSW then it is hardly fair.
IS THIS A CASE OF ROUGH JUSTICE QUEENSLAND RACING STYLE - SOME THINK SO? 
AND in a late e-mail received from North Queensland, plenty of stakeholders are crying denial of natural justice for a popular identity amazingly denied a stay of proceedings.
ROBBIE L of TOWNSVILLE writes:
' AS if the outcome of the dust-up at Cluden wasn't rough justice enough for one of the parties involved, now he has been denied a stay of proceedings.
Shane 'Unit' Colahan, the partner and father of a child of he and top trainer Olivia Cairns, has appealed his six months disqualification that stewards imposed over an altercation involving two other trainers who escaped any penalty.
Colahan, who shares an interest in numerous horses trained by Cairns, has been singled out for some very special treatment in the eyes of many while the partner of one of the other parties works with one of the stewards who was involved in the inquiry hearing in his day job.
Talk about denial of natural justice, not only can Colahan have nothing to do with the stable or horses of his partner, now he has been refused a stay of proceedings. How's that for a denial of natural justice.'
EDITOR'S NOTE: MY mail is that the appeals body refused Shane a stay of proceedings on the basis that he pleaded guilty to the charge. He is obviously appealing the penalty. What his lawyer needs to do is take the matter to a higher body or insist on having the appeal heard forthwith.
UNDER THE DOME AT THE DEAGON PICNICS WOULD BE ‘THE PERFECT SCENARIO’ 
ALBERT W of REDCLIFFE writes:
‘IN the eyes of some of us the best thing that could happen on Sunday would be for ‘the Dome of Racing’ to desend on the picnic meeting at Deagon.
We are very much tongue-in-cheek referring to the Stephen King thriller, Under the Dome, a story of the residents of a small town of Chester’s Mill in Maine, America, where a massive, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world.
Deagon has received such privileged treatment from Racing Queensland (Boards of all political persuasions) over the years that some of us in the industry feel it would be justified if the locals were trapped inside a dome and left to find their own ways of survival with diminishing resources and rising tensions.
Instead of being spoon-fed at the expense of the rest of the racing industry in Brisbane – because of their influence and political pull – it would be interesting to see if like Chester’s Mill, Deagon became a dog-eat-dog mentality.
But back to reality and we have the big picnic meeting on Sunday where it will be standing room only with a crowd of 6,500 or more. Just goes to show what the racing public want in Brisbane these days – if they aren’t turning out for a ferals day at Eagle Farm, it’s picnic in the park at Deagon.
Perhaps the head honcho of the Brisbane Racing Club – instead of basking in the glory of what will no doubt be declared the Deagon success story, he should be learning how to attract the same sort of crowds to a regular Saturday meeting at Eagle Farm or Doomben.
No doubt the non-TAB novelty event at Deagon – which has been allotted almost $50,000 of much-need industry funds for a meeting at a track that isn’t fit to race on – will get feature coverage in The Courier-Mail when ‘real racing’ struggles for a story some days of the week. That’s how it works when you have the right media people strutting your stuff and calling the tune.’
AND this one from MARY J of BRISBANE: 
‘WHAT is going on? The racing industry in Queensland struggles to attract a couple of thousand to the main fixture of the week in Brisbane of a Saturday yet they will have a ‘house full’ of more than 6,000 at Deagon for a picnic meeting next Sunday.
Is it novelty value or the fact that a local community proves more effective at attracting race crowds than the professional marketing people employed by the major race clubs or the control body?
Credit to those responsible for the Deagon initiative which is destined to become an annual event. Plenty of positive publicity has been generated by the event but there are a couple of points that some of us outside of Deagon would like to highlight.
For too long Racing Queensland directors and Governments of both political persuasions have arguably provided special treatment to Deagon and some influential identities involved with racing there.
This has been basically a boutique racing facility for a ‘chosen’ handful of trainers while the rest of us in Brisbane have had to battle, especially those at Doomben who were shown the door.
When there was even the slightest suggestion that Deagon might be closed to the gallops trainers it became a major political issue and those with precious real estate interests in the area were saved from what might have been a threat to their investments.
Nothing has been said or written about the work that was needed to be done on the track and infrastructure at Deagon to meet safety concerns expressed by one high profile stakeholder group before the picnic meeting could proceed on Sunday.
Whether the close to $50,000 invested in prizemoney at the picnic meeting can be justified – in view of the fact that it will clash with a ‘real TAB meeting’ at the Sunshine Coast the same afternoon is open for debate.
I will be called a nark for criticizing the objective where every ‘child’ (key players from Deagon) will no doubt win a prize and the general reports from the media will be what a wonderful event it was and how everyone had such a great time.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: JUST in case that imaginary ‘dome’ does fall on Deagon this Sunday I had better give the ‘picnic meeting’ a miss. I’d hate to get trapped for all time with some of those pickles.
HERE’S a MEDIA RELEASE telling the racing public how successful an event it is going to be if you hadn’t already heard: 
RACING Minister Steve Dickson has announced a special Picnic race day will be held at Deagon Racecourse this year, for the first time in more than six decades.
Mr Dickson said the local community had been a driving force behind the race day, to be held on Sunday 15 September, the first public meeting since 1941.
“The Newman Government is providing a fresh start for racing in Queensland, and continues to deliver on its election commitment to rejuvenate the industry,” Mr Dickson said.
“The Picnic meeting will bring in racegoers from all over Brisbane and will have important flow-on effects for local community businesses, as well as helping our racing industry.
“It’s another way we’re restoring confidence and excitement in the sport across the state.”
Mr Dickson said interested locals, including Member for Sandgate Kerry Millard had been actively working to reintroduce public racing at Deagon for the last six months.
A closed meeting was conducted at Deagon on September 14, 2007 during the Equine Influenza crisis however it is normally used as a thoroughbred training facility.
Ms Millard said there were strong feelings amongst Sandgate locals about having their own race day once again.
“The vision for a Picnic race day has been nurtured in this community over a long period of time,” Ms Millard said.
“We have a great racecourse already, and now finally we have a date and are well underway with planning for our own local day at the races.
“It will showcase the best of our community spirit and will rely on grassroots support.
“I know how many people have been hoping and waiting for this announcement and I know the inaugural event will not disappoint.”
TIMES HAVE CHANGED WHEN IT COMES TO INTEGRITY IN VICTORIAN RACING 
OSCAR J of MELBOURNE writes:
‘HOW times change – remember when Terry Bailey returned from a fact-finding overseas tour shortly after becoming Racing Victoria Chief Steward?
He made a suggestion about following the lead of some leading international venues and how they had high level security on horses in big races for a day or two beforehand.
All hell broke loose among some of the top trainers, who many now feel had been in too much of a comfort zone under the previous integrity hierarchy in Victoria.
They went public and lambasted this young upstart who had taking charge of the stewarding and this outrageous idea of interfering with the preparation of their Cup candidates.
Bailey was hung out to dry – and there was little to support his comments from some of those in charge of RVL at the time. But it seems they are now coming around to his way of thinking and for the first time this year there will be a 24 hour guard on Cup runners.
In recent years Victoria has led the way with its surveillance team trapping several trainers – some from interstate – tubing horses leading into carnival races. There has also been a watch placed on key runners in big races.
If it’s all done to protect the interests of punters – and for that matter the connections of horses in big races – is it not a positive that other states in the country should be following?’
EDITOR’S NOTE: THIS is a lead that all states should follow at carnival times and when they have major races programmed. Most have shown they are keen to step up integrity. There is one exception but we won’t go down that track or suggest the reasons why.
HERE is a story by PATRICK BARTLEY in the MELBOURNE AGE that obviously prompted the above e-mail:
The runners in this year's $6 million Melbourne Cup will, for the first time, have 24-hour guards – a move never before used in Australian racing.
And the around-the-clock security watch is just one of a number of tougher measures that Racing Victoria integrity officers will have in place this spring.
Chief steward Terry Bailey said on Sunday that the 24-hour lockdown before the race was an important measure in keeping some of the best racehorses in the world secure. "Formerly we would send security out to the 24 runners at about 5 o'clock in the morning but we've brought that time back to midday on Cup eve, which means they'll be under constant attention until they arrive at Flemington at midday on Cup day.
"I don't think any states have done this before, but we feel it's an important move and that won't be the only strengthening of integrity this spring," Bailey said.
The chief steward maintains that those who wish to offend by having horses undergo race-day treatment are risking their livelihood – especially over the next few months. "I am concerned at the rise of race-day treatments and this has got to stop. We have got the tools in place to apprehend and prosecute those who flout the law.
"We have a compliance assurance team and we now have two new additions to the team and they are two former members of Victoria Police.
"They bring much experience to an already powerful compliance team and one of them worked on the Purana taskforce and his experience and know-how is invaluable," he said.
"We will be as vigilant as ever as we come into the spring carnival. There's a lot of prizemoney at stake and we seem to have seen the number of offenders spike when the richer races and the bigger prizemoney is there to be won.
"But the rules are firmly in place and we will be in many parts of the state if need be, to apprehend those breaking the law.
"We have the numbers, the experience and the know-how and trainers must now know that the penalties are far stronger."
Recently trainers have been facing charges related to TCO2, with Racing Victoria integrity officials believing that the new minimum penalties will help curb this trend.
"Formerly we had penalties at between six to 12 months' disqualification for treatment offences," Bailey said. "Those penalties are now up to three years and that's the minimum so these are very serious sentences.
"These are severe fines, three years out of your livelihood will certainly impact on anyone's business, but we are determined that race-day treatments will not occur.
"We've got the numbers in our compliance team to be totally unpredictable and we saw last year how effective these race-day inspections can be.
"It's important that all our teams have that element of unpredictability. It will mean that trainers will not know if we are or when we are coming. This is a vital ingredient to try and curb these race-day treatments."
Bailey also said that the practice of retaining horses after they've raced would also be used again this spring.
"We make no apology for this. If it takes, one, two, three or even four hours it has to be done," he said.
"We want to monitor any change in the horse's condition and we've found this is an effective way of finding out if a horse has been treated."
HOW CAN YOU FINE A JOCKEY FOR FAILING TO RIDE OUT A HORSE WHEN IT WINS? 
THE decision by Racing NSW stewards to fine Victorian jockey Nick Hall for failing to ride out his mount at Randwick last Saturday prompted a couple of not so complimentary e-mails:
SCOTT M of MELBOURNE wrote:
'WHAT a pity jockey Nick Hall took his error of judgment on Bound To Earth on the chin and copped the penalty imposed by Racing NSW stewards.
Hall was entitled to nothing more than a dressing down for what he did – especially after the horse still recovered to win the race.
There were extenuating circumstances. Sure he is a top jockey but he was also a visitor from Victoria who was not expecting to see the red line on the running rail painted over by the sponsor’s colors near the finish.
It beggar’s belief how a jockey who still wins a race can be charged with failing to ride his horse out when it still managed to win the race.
Only in the Ray Murrihy hall of justice could this happen. Then again it attracted a head-line so I guess that was the most important aim of the exercise.
If he wanted to adopt this approach might I suggest there are many occasions every month where Sydney jockeys offend by not riding horses out – perhaps not so close to the line – but attract little or no attention from stewards?’
AND this one from DAN J of SYDNEY: 
‘AS you are probably aware by now I am a serial pest when it comes to complaining about Racing NSW Chief Steward Ray Murrihy but I couldn’t resist another opportunity.
The headline hunter was at it again last Saturday when he fined Nick Hall for actually winning a race. Everyone knows that Hall went precariously close to facing a serious charge – but that didn’t eventuate.
Had he got beaten then by all means Mr Murrihy would have been entitled to jump onto his soap box and send Hall out for the carnival. But he still managed to correct an error of judgement in the straight and got Bound To Earth across the line.
How in the hell can you charge a jockey then fine him $1,000 for failing to ride his horse out when it actually wins a race. It’s a farce.
Hall knew he made a mistake but there were extenuating circumstances and Mr Murrihy should have taken into account that the club was equally responsible by changing to color of the pain on that final section of running rail from grey to the sponsor (BMW) colours.
A stern warning in the circumstances was all that was required but not for Mr Murrihy. He had to take controversial action that was certain to attract a headline. In my opinion it achieved little.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: I was talking to a well-known racing lawyer who wished that Nick Hall had appealed the stewards’ decision which he believed would be easy to win.
To ensure the stewards’ side of the story is presented here is an excerpt from a story on what occurred by MATT JONES in the SYDNEY SUN HERALD:
CHIEF steward Ray Murrihy has advised winning jockey Nicholas Hall that sitting up on Bound For Earth could have had ‘catastrophic consequences’ had he not held a short-head margin over favorite Guelph in the Furious Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Hall was driving Bound For Earth to an upset victory when he put away his whip 25 metres from the post, only to realise his error in the final few strides but still did enough to win.
"I understand what I did," Hall said. "I thought we'd got to the post."
Hall pleaded guilty and was charged under Australian Racing rule 137b with desisting to ride his mount out. He was fined $1000.
Murrihy said the penalty would have cost Hall his spring had he been beaten. "If the other horse had got up and beaten you, you were looking two months in the face and your name would have forever been etched in history for what you had done," Murrihy said.
QUESTIONS RAISED OVER ABILITY OF SOME APPRENTICES TO RIDE AT QLD TAB MEETINGS 
GREG B of GOLD COAST sent this interesting e-mail:
‘TWO incidents in the past week have highlighted the need for Racing Queensland to implement a Skills Panel for apprentice jockeys similar to those operated interstate.
It’s fine to have an ex-jockey who supposedly is on a six-figure a year package to look after the apprentices but what’s the point if they aren’t being referred to him when the need occurs.
A good example is Janette Johnson, an apprentice indentured to the Bryan Guy stable on the Gold Coast, who has not helped the chances of two runners in recent weeks in Brisbane in Jacquetta and Funtantes.
To be fair Jacquetta did draw badly before it endured wide runs with Johnson aboard (then won last Saturday and was well backed when senior rider Ric McMahon took over). But Funtantes, which she rode on Saturday, drew barrier two and wound up four wide.
Stewards questioned her ride and accepted the explanation but made no mention of referring her to a Skills Panel for advice.
Then we had the ride of mature-age apprentice Steven Cooke on Payteevee in Mackay last week when his inexperience was blamed for the defeat of the odds-on favorite. With Chris Whiteley the replacement the horse came out in the much harder Cairns Amateur Cup a few days later and ran second.
It’s fine to blame apprentice jockeys for poor performances and the punter knows when he or she invests of these horse the risk they are taking but there has to be an acceptable standard for the rides as well.
They either have to refer these apprentices to the responsible ‘coaches’ or a Skills Panel or perhaps restrict them to riding at the provincials (in the case of Johnson) or non TAB meetings (with Cooke) until they can do the job better in the tougher competition.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: As I understand the situation Racing Queensland employs at least two former jockeys in Shane Scriven and Glenn Stockdale to mentor apprentices in the south-east corner. Greg raises some interesting questions about apprentices who turn in bad rides being referred to a Skills Panel. But the problem with his suggestion about them being sent back to the non-TAB meetings to gain more experience is the lack of jockeys at some TAB fixtures. This apparently occurred at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
In the relation to the Janette Johnson ride on Funtantes on Saturday here is the Stewards Report on that race:
Stewards sought an explanation from apprentice J. Johnson regarding the reason for FUNTANTES racing 4 wide from the 1000m after beginning from barrier 2. Apprentice Johnson stated that the mare settled well after travelling a short distance to the outside of DIVINE CITY, however when LISTEN SON crossed to the lead near the 1000m, MISHANI WARRIOR (A. Allen) shifted to the outside of the heels of that runner, which resulted in DIVINE CITY, which was overracing, being forced 3 wide and FUNTANTES forced 4 wide as a consequence. She added that she did not attempt to ride forward to clear DIVINE CITY or alternatively restrain to take a trail on that runner as she was of the opinion that DIVINE CITY would shift back inwards to the one-wide line. She further stated that DIVINE CITY was unable to shift back in at that point when ESSINGTON improved to its inside. FUNTANTES was then obliged to race 4 wide throughout. Stewards accepted the explanation from apprentice Johnson.
AND the Stewards’ Report from Mackay on the ride of Steven Cooke on Payteevee:
PAYTEEVEE (App. S. Cooke) jumped awkwardly and was slow to begin. In the early and middle stages PAYTEEVEE was inclined to over-race. When afforded the opportunity to comment on the performance of PAYTEEVEE Apprentice Cooke stated that gelding was inclined to over-race for the majority of the event and that he had elected to restrain the gelding from improving onto the heels of SHORT TRIP (App. K. Grace) and was unable to shift out and obtain clear running due to ARIADNE (A. Coome) racing to his immediate outside. Trainer J. Manzelmann was questioned regarding the performance and tactics employed on PAYTEEVEE. Mr J. Manzelmann stated that he instructed his Apprentice to take up a handy position, however was of the opinion that due to the Apprentice's lack of experience the gelding jumped awkwardly and due to the Apprentice trying to carry out his instructions the gelding subsequently over-raced. Bearing this in mind Trainer J. Manzelmann was satisfied with the performance. He had sought the services of a senior rider on this occasion, however was unable to do so and stewards note that he would engage a senior rider for its next race start Saturday 7th September 2013.
IT’S A ‘MISSION IMPOSSIBLE’ FINDING THE OUTCOMES OF THE NEW RDB APPEALS
MARK J of TOWNSVILLE writes: 
‘WE’VE read all the political propaganda from the Racing Minister about the advantages of the new Racing Disciplinary Board in Queensland but how in the hell does the industry or the racing public access the outcome of hearings?
You go to that useless RQ website and click on First Level Appeals (which shows Racing Disciplinary Board) and all that does is refer you to the Government Departmental site which explains how the RDB will work.
Nowhere can myself or anyone else I know access the outcome of hearings undertaken by the new RDB. If it is on the RQ website like everything else (including stewards’ reports) it is near on impossible to access. Whoever designed this site should be sacked.
The Government website from the Racing Department is just as useless. So at the end of the day the outcome of the hearings is even less accessible than QCAT hearings where you need to be a magician to locate the outcomes of appeals.
The reason many people are confused is that Chris Whiteley reportedly pleaded guilty to a charge imposed by stewards in Mackay then appealed (obviously the severity of his penalty).
Nowhere can we find the outcome of the appeal hearing before the new RDB but he was back riding in Cairns at the Amateurs so obviously we are to assume that he either get a reduced sentence or got off something that he pleaded guilty to – only in Queensland racing could this complete confusion occur.
Talk about transparency in racing in Queensland. There is none. Little wonder we are a laughing stock of those interstate and plenty locally.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: MOST racing websites – like that at Racing Victoria – are easy to navigate. The same cannot be said of the one operated by Racing Queensland and that is the general opinion of the industry stakeholders. And when you do locate what you want to read for some reason the site reverts to something else. This issue involving the RDB needs to be addressed urgently – the outcome of hearings should be published immediately.
SOME ARE YET TO BE CONVINCED THAT PUISSANCE DE LUNE WILL RUN CUP TRIP 
MERV W of MELBOURNE sent this e-mail:
‘THERE is nothing I would like to see more than Darren Weir train the winner of a Melbourne Cup but like a lot of my mates I think Puissance De Lune is a 3200m risk.
Whether the import is bred to run it out or not to us he appears to be a shade brilliant and would be better suited by a Cox Plate.
It’s hard to follow how the bookmakers continue to shorten his price for the Melbourne Cup. He might not yet be at peak condition but Puissance De Lune did appear to have his chance in the Makybe Diva Stakes and was run down by Foreteller.
I was just wondering what you or some of your readers thought about what I have suggested.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: I had some doubts before the run last Saturday but am more convinced now that he will run a strong 3200m. I believe he should have won the Makybe Diva Stakes and that – rightly or wrongly – he was set a big task by Glen Boss. Whether he should be as short in the early Cup markets there is debatable.
HERE’S an interesting story on the topic by ROD NICHOLSON in the HERALD SUN:
PUISSANCE De Lune is the real deal at the top level.
Trainer Darren Weir and owner Gerry Ryan are convinced that the French import is a genuine Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup contender despite missing a coveted Group 1 victory in Saturday’s Makybe Diva Stakes.
Both were a tad disappointed about missing the Group 1 as winning at that level over 1600m at Flemington would have added greatly to the stallion’s value.
However with an eye to the spring carnival, both deservedly were chuffed.
Weir knew it was crunch time, a huge step up from beating moderate gallopers to taking on quality runners at the elite level.
Being pipped in the last stride to lose by half head was almost as good as it gets.
The six-year-old worked past a field of Group 1 performers, fought all the way to the post and was beaten only courtesy of a great tactical ride by Craig Newitt aboard Group 1 Ranvet Stakes winner Foreteller after stalking the grey throughout the race.
That Puissance De Lune beat the rest by one-and-three-quarter lengths was a telling fact.
"We knew this was a huge step-up and you’d have to say he responded," said Weir. "Glen Boss said he was dead on his feet in the last 100m but he still nearly got there."
Ryan, who enjoyed Melbourne Cup success with Americain in 2010, had eyes firmly fixed on the future.
"He has come a really long way in a year and this was not his grand final.
"He needs more racing with the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup in mind so there was no point peaking in this race.
He’ll head to the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday week and maybe we can get a Group 1 success there.
"You have to be proud of the way he went over 1600m. He should improve as he gets fitter and the distances get longer so we are all smiles," Ryan said.
Weir reported that the grey had pulled up well from the outing and that "all systems are go" for the spring program.
TAB and corporate bookmakers were suitably impressed by Puissance De Lune and either kept him as the $5 Melbourne Cup favourite or even trimmed him to $4.50. That is $7 shorter than Hawkspur, the Chris Waller galloper who was dominant in Saturday’s Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
BITS AND PIECES
CRITICISM THAT NEIL WILLIAMS’ FAMILY WAS NOT INVITED TO HALL OF FAME INDUCTION 
NOEL J of the GOLD COAST wrote:
‘NEIL Williams was a legend on the Gold Coast and bouquets to the Turf Club there for inducting him into their Hall of Fame.
But brickbats to the organizers of that function for failing to invite anyone from his family – his wife or sister who found out about the award second hand.
We understand that a former committeeman of the club in Geoff Kerrison accepted the Hall of Fame award on behalf of Neil.
With all due respects to Geoff – he’s a great old racing man – and whatever association he had with Neil in the past, in the opinion of many that was not good enough.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: WE asked Gold Coast Turf Club CEO Grant Sheather for a comment on this. The club was only advised of the Hall of Fame recipients a few days prior to their induction and despite all efforts to contact Neil’s family they had no success – even through Alan Bailey his former mentor. Had the GCTC been able to invite a member of the family they would have done so.
CONDON EARNS INDUSRY BOUQUETS FOR BLASTING COVERAGE IN THE COURIER-MAIL 
SAM B of BRISBANE sent this e-mail:
‘I don’t know Darren Condon, the new CEO of Racing Queensland, but what a breath of fresh air he seems to be and after all it wouldn’t be hard to look good following in the foot-steps of ‘golden handshake’ recipient Malcolm Tuttle.
Condon, speaking at a harness industry forum on Sunday, had the coverage to say what no official of RQ has in the past or present but one wonders if he will cop a smack over the ear from his chairman for daring to do so.
Condon uttered the feelings of the majority of the racing industry about the coverage of the gallops especially in The Courier-Mail. He not only highlighted the lack of stories on harness racing but that ‘there were no racing stories at all in that newspaper for two days last week.’
What Condon didn’t say is that has been the case for months now. Of course when the previous Racing Editor was there the readers were only subjected to what he felt they needed to know especially of a political nature in racing which was slanted toward his mates in the Kevin Dixon camp and the Brisbane Racing Club for whom he now works every Saturday.
It’s time The Courier-Mail justified its ‘we are the best newspaper’ claim (when in fact it is the only metropolitan daily and an ordinary one at that) and provided racing with a daily coverage which it deserves.
PS: And if they decide to step up the harness coverage here’s hoping it’s not just another feature story on Kevin Seymour and his horses and achievements. They were worn out a long time ago.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: SPACE is newspapers is at a premium these days but they are pumping up their on-line coverage so perhaps that is where the racing industry should be looking. Instead of encouraging people to steer clear of websites – likes ours – because we tend to question and criticize this is the way of the future and nothing much is going to change with the dailies that will eventually become weekenders and then on-line publications.
IT’S BOTTOMS UP FOR THIS MEDIA MAN ALLEGEDLY HAVING MORE THAN A BIT EACH-WAY 
SHANE K of ADELAIDE adds some spice to the Wednesday Whinge:
‘I know how your readers love a slice of gossip so here is one of the hottest stories doing the rounds in Australian racing.
It involves a high profile racing media identity with an ego bigger than Clive Palmer’s girth who is allegedly having an affair on the side with a prominent race club official.
Nothing all that unusual you might say except that both are of the male species and the ‘media man’ already has a racing boyfriend in another state who apparently has only recently learned of his two-timing.
If reports circulating are correct the media ‘man’ and his ‘friend with benefits’ could well be in more bother than John Bobbit when Lorena let loose with her knife a couple of decades back.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Well Shane you seem to be very well informed. It’s the first I’ve heard of this. What can I say except that this dynamic duo or trio might come out of the closet on the float of that well known racing team at the next Mardi Gras in Sydney.
WHY BOTHER TAKING EVIDENCE FROM WITNESSES THAT CAN PROVIDE ONLY HEARSAY? 
SIMON S of GOLD COAST writes:
‘I want to take your website to task over the comments last week that this latest Commission of Inquiry is the most transparent because it is publishing statements and will provide live coverage of the public hearings.
Are you kidding? Have you read some of the statements given to the Commission? Do you actually believe that something meaningful will eventuate from this other than a political hatchet job on certain former racing identities?
If so you have to be living in dreamland like a lot of others involved in the racing industry in Queensland.
And just on one issue. I thought if a person was giving evidence to the Commission of Inquiry it would be a requirement that they had to provide first-hand information of allegations and not hearsay.
Having read an abridged report on a statement to the Commission by one former prominent identity I just shook my head. Not only did they not publish what he had to say but one has to question to credibility of what does appear.
He said, and I quote: ‘I informed the Commission of certain matters that I considered to be relevant to the Terms of Reference. The matters that I raised were based upon my observations of the Queensland racing industry and discussions with various interested parties.
‘I do not have personal knowledge of the matters that I raised or any documentary evidence. I raised these matters with the Commission as I consider that they are relevant to the matters set out in the Terms of Reference or provide background information.’
We all know – from the past – what would have been in his statement that was not published. But how in the hell can the commission accept evidence from someone who admits he has no personal knowledge or documentary evidence of what he has raised.
EDITOR’S NOTE: I stand by my original belief that this Commission of Inquiry is on the right track but I do have to agree that the statement from this particular person was a waste of time and appears to be complete hearsay. There should be a mountain of first-hand information at the disposal of the Commission without worrying about those just keen to play political games.
STAY TUNED next week to the ABC 7.30 Report for special coverage of the political racing turmoil in Queensland confronting the Commission of Inquiry. Peter McCutcheon is the journalist compiling the report that will go national and from what we are hearing it will ‘must watch’ for not only stakeholders but the racing public.
RON J of TOOWOOMBA sent this e-mail: 
‘IN case you aren’t aware there is yet another drama confronting the Toowoomba Turf Club that will no doubt require Racing Queensland intervention.
Jockeys are ready to refuse to ride at Saturday’s meeting programmed for the ‘inner grass’ at Clifford Park because they believe it presents safety risks.
Why Racing Queensland ever scheduled racing at this venue while the new track is under construction remains a mystery. It seems that everyone – barring those who want to turn a blind eye to it – know that the tight turns are ‘dangerous’ in the opinion of many jockeys.
I guess big ‘Bob’ the TTC Chairman will once again have to call onh is old mate, little ‘Kev’, the RQ boss to dig into the less than flush industry coffers and provide another handout to Toowoomba.
Where will this all end?’
EDITOR’S NOTE: No doubt the Jockeys’ Association will require some undertakings before this meeting is allowed to proceed. To compound the issue I did notice a story by Phil Purser on the justracing website about jockey Nori Nishio being hurt in a fall on the inside grass track on Tuesday morning. Maybe what they should do is transfer the meeting to Deagon and have a double-header at RQ headquarters this weekend.
NEWS FROM THE PAST WEEK THAT WE FELT WAS WORTH REPRODUCING COURTESY OF VARIOUS NEWS ORGANIZATIONS
‘CRAP’ HITS THE FAN AT ROSEHILL WITH TRAINERS STUNNED BY CLEAN-UP BILLS 
POO-GATE has hit the Australian Turf Club with some Rosehill trainers absolutely stunned their waste bills have soared more than 400 per cent.
Trainers literally had the ----- during the week when their new bills arrived for removing waste.
Under the new agreement with the ATC, trainers at Rosehill are now charged $2.30 per box, per day to remove waste. They used to get slugged 32 cents.
For a bloke who has 50 boxes, that means his monthly bill has gone from $448 a month to a staggering $3220.
Sure, the ATC is entitled to increase fees. Costs are going up all over the world.
But a price hike this steep is downright unacceptable.
The ATC met the disgruntled trainers during the week. They'll try to reach some sort of compromise. But given the fact the ATC aren't excactly flush with funds, trainers shouldn't expect too much of a discount.
The ATC will argue the Rosehill trainers had three months to get their head around the new fees. They'll also claim the same fees have been charged at Warwick Farm and Randwick for years when those tracks were under the Australian Jockey Club agreement.
As one Rosehill trainer said: "It's ridiculous. At the end of the day we'll be forced to pass on the costs to the owners, otherwise we'll be out of money."
BRUCE CLARK SUMMONED BACK TO SYDNEY AS HATHRAS INQUIRY CONTINUES 
TVN personality Bruce Clark reportedly made a trip from Melbourne to Sydney this week as the long-running Hathras inquiry continued.
What is common knowledge already is that Clark, fellow presenters Caroline Searcy and Dean Pettit were given free shares in racehorse Hathras by Australian Bloodstock.
The trio was stood down by TVN for three months.
Stewards took evidence from the trio in July.
It should be pointed out Searcy never accepted the freebie, and instead wanted to pay for her share with a percentage of any prizemoney won. Pettit also owned up to stewards and told them he'd copped the freebie.
So you have to wonder why Clark is the only one required to front stewards again. Maybe it has something to do with allegations he tried to produce a receipt, claiming he paid for his share.
Clark and co are due back on TVN next week.
JOAO MOREIRA TO SHOWCASE HIS TALENTS DURING NEWCASTLE CUP CARNIVAL 
NEWCASTLE officials would have rubbed their hands together when they watched Joao Moreira in action at Singapore last Friday night.
Moreira rode eight winners from as many rides at Kranji. Yes, that's right, eight winners.
"What's better than a dream come true? I think this is it," Moreira told the Singapore Turf Club's website.
The Brazilian will be heading to the two-day Newcastle Cup carnival on Wednesday and Thursday week, and sure to have plenty of followers.
GREY HORSE RACE SERIES HONORS THE CONTRIBUTION OF SUBZERO 
MUCH loved old grey Subzero, who won a Melbourne Cup and recently defied death at the age of 25, has been honored for his contribution to Victorian racing.
ROD NICHOLSON reports in the HERALD SUN that the winner of the 1992 Melbourne Cup later spent 15 years as a clerk-of-course horse and became popularly known as "Subbie" to tens of thousands of children as he visited more than 300 schools as the face of Racing Victoria's Community Education in Schools Program.
Racing Victoria yesterday named a new three-race grey horse series in his honour. Total prizemoney will be $280,000, including a $10,000 bonus to the trainer of the horse that accumulates the most points in the series.
The races will be run as an $80,000 event over 1400m on Thousand Guineas Day (Wednesday, October 16), a $100,000 race over 1500m at Moonee Valley on Friday night, October 25, and the traditional $100,000 greys race at Flemington on Oaks day (November 7).
Racing Victoria's Greg Carpenter said Subzero had made a huge impact siince his retirement in 1994.
"Subzero is one of racing's most recognizable public faces and following his recent health scare, Racing Victoria determined it an appropriate time to celebrate and acknowledge the incredible contribution of Subzero to Victorian racing," Carpenter said.
DECISIONS IN THE LONG-RUNNING ASTRONOMER SAGA HAVE TAKEN THE FULL CIRCLE 
THE long-running Astronomer case finally reached its conclusion last Thursday when the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal overturned the Appeal Panels’ decision to dismiss disqualifications against owner Guy Orbell and bookmaker Richard Knight.
TONY WHITE reports for the SUN HERALD that Orbell and Knight were initially disqualified by Racing NSW stewards who determined the men were party to Astronomer not running on its merits in a race at Goulburn in June last year.
They successfully appealed against the stewards’ decision before the Appeals Panel but following a further appeal by the stewards, the first of its kind, the NSW Racing Tribunal upheld the original ban.
Orbell was disqualified for 12 months but he has already served three months, meaning his time will expire on June 6. Knight will serve a penalty of six months’ disqualification from September 5. He can reapply for his bookmaking license on March 6.
Jockey Matthew Cahill, who rode Astronomer, has had his appeal dismissed. Cahill is allowed to resume riding on April 16.
DAY OF RECORDS MARKS OPENING OF NEW SEASON OF HONG KONG RACING 
IT was another day of records at Sha Tin on Sunday as Hong Kong’s racing season got off to “more than a dream start” beneath golden sunshine.
Hong Kong SAR Acting Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor struck the ceremonial gong to mark the start of the campaign, and for the second year in a row, record-breaking turnover was matched by an all-time high attendance for the day.
“We have enjoyed another great start to a new season – more than a dream start,” said Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer. “Moreover, we have had the highest turnover at a season opening in 20 years at $1.032 billion, which is 11% more than a year ago.
“Last year we had the highest opening day attendance in 20 years; this year we have surpassed that with 66,257 race fans generating a fantastic atmosphere at our two racecourses.
“To put that into perspective, today’s crowd figure is up more than 4% on last year and represents the first time that our opening day crowd at Sha Tin has broken the 60,000 mark. Compared with 2010, when we started the Racecourse Master Plan, we have seen an opening day attendance increase of 37%.”
Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges expressed cautious optimism about the season ahead and thanked race fans for their support, which he said was the “impetus for continuous racecourse investment.” The CEO also applauded the new innovations that have been implemented for this season under the Club’s ongoing Racecourse Master Plan and revealed that the latest round of developments were the subject of “very positive feedback from members and race fans.”
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.
