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 ranged from the Commission of Inquiry in Queensland, to the Glen Boss stance on fines for celebratory gestures at the end of races; and the continuing Gai Waterhouse battle with the stewards in NSW, along with a horse of other topics. We also have our new popular section of ‘stories of interest’ that you may have missed during the past week courtesy of the major racing media.
RANGE OF INTEGRITY INTIATIVES INTRODUCED AT LAST BY RQ ARE LONG OVERDUE 
AS letsgohorseracing has been critical of the lack of action on the integrity front at Racing Queensland it would be remiss of us not to congratulate the control body on introducing a range of integrity initiatives that were announced this week.
The series of safeguards, which include the establishment of a new Integrity Regulatory Unit and the use of modern equipment to identify illegal conduct, is a step in the right direction.
Just how successful these initiatives will be depends on how proactive the IRU is. We have all seen the results that the Compliance Assurance Team has achieved in racing in Victoria. Time will tell if the ‘copycat’ body in Queensland is half as successful.
New RQ CEO Darren Condon continues to impress and got it right when he stated: “Racing Queensland is aware that some trainers believe treating or drenching their horses with bicarbonate will improve their performance on race day.
“This conduct is prohibited under RQ rules and any trainers who ignore our warnings can expect to feel the pressure of the IRU’s increased sampling and surveillance of stables on race days.”
It would seem that even RQ knows what is happening – not just in the south-east corner but in some far flung areas of the state – now let’s see what the IRU can do about it. That will only happen if they make some surprise raids, jump a few fences and go on the attack. To play ‘coming ready or not’ will achieve nothing.
With all due respects to team leaders, Norm Torpey and John Hackett, who come from senior stewarding roles in the harness racing industry, it is hard to imagine either of these gentlemen scaling fences or chasing down tubing culprits as has happened in Victoria.
Here’s hoping the younger brigade attached to the Unit have a lot less age and a fair bit more fitness on their side. Only joking guys – your wealth of experience will be invaluable to the youthful and more energetic members of the integrity brigade.
It is full steam ahead now and here’s hoping the industry gets that ‘level playing field’ that has been guaranteed. Perhaps the ICU should publish on the RQ website those stables and training establishments that are raided.
WEBSITE INUNDATED WITH E-MAILS CONCERNING THE RACING INQUIRY
THESE are some of the multitude of e-mails we have received concerning the Racing Inquiry in Queensland. Unfortunately, for legal reasons, we couldn’t run some of the comments in full:
BENTLEY SEEMED TO CHANGE HIS OPINION OF LAMBERT ALMOST OVERNIGHT 
DAVE S of BRISBANE wrote:
‘WHAT a difference a few days can make at the Racing Inquiry.
Only last Friday Bob Bentley described Michael Lambert as a ‘good’ Board member.
On Monday, after it was revealed that Bentley tried to have Lambert sacked because he challenged the ‘sweetheart deal’ with Tattersalls, Bentley described him as ‘lazy.’
Something must have happened over the weekend that really pissed Builder Bob off.
One wonders what his attitude will be when questioned on the evidence of former Board member Bill Andrews, who was unceremoniously dumped for political reasons. Time will tell.”
WHAT WILL HANMER HAVE TO SAY ABOUT HE AND BOB’S IMPRESSION OF BERT AND ERNIE? 
AND this one from CLAUDE K of the SUNSHINE COAST:
‘CAN’T wait to see the charismatic one, Tony Hanmer, hit the stand at the Racing Inquiry on Wednesday.
Many believe his professional speaking skills helped dodge a bullet at the previous Inquiry but perhaps a silk with the talents of James Bell might get to the bottom of the question that racing is asking.
Were Bob and Tony playing Bert and Ernie when it came to the operations of Product Co and the cosy relationship that seemed to exist between it, RQ and the Tatts Group.
One can only joke about the Product Co meetings where conflict of interest was of the utmost importance and imagine ‘the Hamster’ sitting on ‘Builder Bob’s’ knee.
Hanmer, known for his motivational speaking prowess, will need to be at his very best to challenge Bell despite the fact he has been an under-speaker to former Prime Minister John Howard and is apparently used by Suncorp to rev up their high profile staff.’
POLITICS ASIDE WILL THE COMMISSION BE AS PROBING WITH BIG KEV SEYMOUR 
AND another from MERV D of BRISBANE:
‘HERE’S hoping harness racing supremo big Kev Seymour – a known favorite of the LNP Government – is asked a few tough questions when he fronts the Commission of Inquiry.
The gallops fraternity, in particular, want to know what he – as a Director of Tatts and the largest shareholder of what was once UNiTAB – knew about this wonderful deal that was done between RQ and the Tatts Group that cost the racing industry over $90 million.
As the most high profile identity in harness racing – who some believe has always ensured that code got more than it deserved when the TAB pie was sliced up – Seymour must have known about alleged tip-off that his CEO Dick McIlwain got from then RQ Chairman Bob Bentley about the ‘fees deal.’
What gallops people are asking is this: If that was the case isn’t there a hint of ‘conflict of interest’ between the roles that Kevin Seymour was playing with harness racing, his Board position at Tatts and the massive investment he has in that company?
Here’s hoping that despite the fact he’s a good LNP supporter the Inquiry shows it is ‘non-political’ by getting to the bottom of this $91 million question by asking him the tough questions.”
AND finally this one from ALBERT W of REDCLIFFE: 
‘SHOULD the terms of reference of this Inquiry been expanded to include why the new Board of Racing Queensland is apparently only dealing with Tattersall’s in the negotiations for a new TAB agreement?
In the light of what has already emerged it seems farcical that the industry would go back to the organization that in the opinion of many has deprived it of over $90 million in prizemoney.
The Inquiry should be delving into whether the LNP or Labor Governments did some deal with Tatts that has forced this situation on the new RQ Board. If not, Racing Minister Steve Dickson or new RQ Chairman Kevin Dixon should be called before the Inquiry to explain why RQ is not negotiating (or as some believe permitted to) with other agencies.
There needs to be some transparency in a decision as important as a new multi-million dollar TAB agreement, especially after the original one proved such a dud but was blamed on the industry being forced to accept it by then Premier Peter Beattie and Racing Minister Bob Gibbs.
To most of us in the industry there seems no logical reason why RQ would want to ever again do business with the Tatts Group – especially in the light of what has been revealed at the inquiry.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: In commenting on some of the above e-mails let me say at the outset that the way this Commission of Inquiry is being run by Judge Margaret White and James Bell, QC, is a breath of fresh air. Both are articulate, professional and extremely open in their dealings with all parties. If they have no background in racing it is certainly not evident in the way they are handling the proceedings, especially the courteous but probing manner Mr Bell handled his questioning of Bob Bentley. As far as I can see there is not the slightest hint of political interference hanging over this inquiry so far that many believe hampered previous ones.
On the subject of some of the matters raised in these e-mails:
MICHAEL LAMBERT and BILL ANDREWS were excellent Board members who should never have been lost to the industry. While Andrews knew the industry and its workings inside-out and was highly respected by stakeholders, Lambert was a quiet-achiever, Sydney-based and unknown to the majority of Queensland licensees but a highly-experienced businessman with a great track record. He had more Board experience than most of his colleagues but had difficulty coping with Bob Bentley’s ‘hands-on’ every day involvement with RQ and its senior management. He felt this was not how ‘real’ Boards worked.
TONY HANMER, regarded by most in the industry as a ‘dud’ appointment from day one, needs to come clean on whether he knew about the alleged $91 million deal. As chairman of Product Co he had to be asleep at the wheel if he didn’t and consequently must share some of the blame for this with Bob Bentley.
KEVIN SEYMOUR needs to be asked whether he knew of the supposed deal that cost the industry – of which his beloved harness racing is such an integral part – over $90 million in prizemoney. One suspects that as the major shareholder of Tatts he would have been briefed on the situation.
DICK McILWAIN needs to be questioned on those emails from his ‘good friend’ Bob Bentley and whether he made the Tatts Board – including Mr Seymour – aware of the situation.
STEVE DICKSON or KEVIN DIXON should be asked by the Inquiry if Tattersalls has a monopoly on the RQ agreement, why this is so and if it was written into any contract by a former Labor Government or is a direction of the current LNP Government. This line of questioning would certainly silence any critics who are claiming this Inquiry has political overtones like the previous ones.
AND finally – even if it is beyond the Terms of Reference of the current Commission – questions need to be asked or directions given on whether RQ is legally bound to purse the $91 million. Perhaps the Commission might even recommend that Tatts Group should pay the money owed, plus interest, to the industry in Queensland where it could be used for desperately needed prizemoney.
A FAN OF BENTLEY WHO CLAIMS HE SHOULD NOT BE CARRYING THE CAN ALONE 
BRIAN L of SUNSHINE COAST writes:
‘LET me confess at the outset that I am an unashamed fan of Bob Bentley – and although I might not always have agreed with the way he got things done – it is my opinion that he achieved plenty for the racing industry despite continued criticism from some circles, including one particular high profile media operator who was as good as working for his industry opponents.
Unfortunately, it is my opinion – and that of many others – that he will now wear the can in another politically motivated Inquiry into Queensland Racing for trying to wear ‘two hats’ which has always raised ‘conflict of interest’ allegations.
Plenty are ready to condemn Bob for doing the best by his Board position on Tatts Group rather than the racing industry of which he was Chairman. Personally, it is my opinion, that his two roles complimented one another and gave him a foot in both camps when it came to negotiation.
Whilst the more than $90 million that Tatts allegedly retained at the expense of the racing industry is difficult to defend, should one man be blamed for this apparent costly misdemeanor.
Surely the biggest shareholder in Tattersall’s, a fellow Board member of the group and the loudest voice in harness racing must have known about the apparent deal that was done that cost the industry tens of millions in prizemoney.
And wasn’t Tony Hanmer the chairman of Product Co, the body established to deal with Tatts and the TAB in the absence of Bob Bentley, whether he stood aside as much as he should have or not.
One would hope that the probing questions asked of Bentley should not be restricted to he alone and that Dick McIlwain, the former CEO of Tatt’s; Kevin Seymour, the biggest shareholder in Tatts and Tony Hanmer, the boss of Product Co are also asked some of the tough questions.
If they are not this will look very much like the political witch-hunt that some have painted and that the Inquiry is only interested in claiming the scalps of Bentley and Labor heavyweight Bill Ludwig.
As it stands the line of questioning that was taken against Bob Bentley certainly gave the impression that someone close to Bentley or the former Board may have turned evidence on him. Time will tell I guess.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: ONE thing that should be clarified about Bob Bentley involved the original TAB privatization agreement. He resigned from the committee set up to examine this because he was not happy with the direction it was heading. The blame game for the terrible deal that was done rests with others forced into the ‘dud deal’ by the then heavyweights of the Labor Government and a race club official of some note who shall remain nameless that jumped ship with his crucial vote after being plied with shall we say ‘the poisoned fruit.’
WHAT ROLE HAS THE LNP GOVERNMENT PLAYED IN THE TATTERSALL’S TAB MONOPOLY? 
CLARRY H of GOLD COAST sent this e-mail:
‘I had a bit of a chuckle when I read the quote of new RQ CEO Darren Condon that the LNP Government have not interfered or issued an instruction that Tattersall’s have a monopoly on the new TAB agreement.
They certainly shouldn’t be getting involved but surely the Board of RQ is not naïve enough to believe that they will get the best possible deal by negotiating solely with the Tatts Group. That would be downright dumb and these gentlemen certainly don’t fall into that category.
Therefore, the question needs to be answered, if the Newman Government has issued no instruction that only Tatts can be negotiated with, why then is that the only betting agency that RQ is reportedly dealing with?
If there was some sweetheart deal done with a previous Labor Government or by a previous Board that ties racing in Queensland beyond the current contract term of the TAB deal to Tatts then it should be made public.
But that is only the bottom line. How, in seriousness, could racing in Queensland continue to deal with an organization that has allegedly cost it $90 million or more, even if steps are taken to recoup fees owed and overlooked by the Bentley Board?
It is hardly a platform for trust or goodwill between the organization one would hope will provide sufficient funds from a new TAB agreement to lead racing in Queensland out of the prizemoney wilderness.
There is light at the end of the tunnel – at long last – for the industry if RQ chases the $91 million or more owing (even if it means going to court) and then moves to contract one of the southern TABs and takes racing in Australia a step closer to a national tote pool.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: RACING Queensland should run long and fast from having anything to do with the Tatts Group in future. RQ CEO Darren Condon intimated to colleague Terry Butts during the week that recouping the multi millions lost to the industry is a high priority for RQ. The Board has two high profile lawyers in Michael Byrne and Barry Taylor so surely they can mount a creditable case and cause major legal dramas for Tatts who, if they have any conscience, should just pay up and shut up, especially if they want to renew the current TAB deal which the majority believe would be a backward move.
GLEN BOSS NEEDS TO ACCEPT THAT SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT TO SHOWMANSHIP 
THE news that top jockey GLEN BOSS plans to challenge the rule the Rule of Racing that has seen him continually fined for celebratory gestures at the end of races provoked plenty of response from readers. Here are some of them:
ERNIE J of MELBOURNE writes:
‘SOMEONE needs to inform Glen Boss that safety is paramount to showmanship when it comes to horse racing.
If he wants to risk the safety of other riders by standing high in the irons and saluting at the end of a winning race then Glen should head back to Hong Kong where it seems to go unchecked.
Fines might not mean much to the multi millionaire super hoop but if he cops a suspension at spring carnival time that will no doubt hurt him badly.
If Glen feels so seriously that the rule is ‘archiac’ then he should test it at the Racing Appeals Board. Even in their wildest moments I doubt that body will agree with him.
One of my mates tells me that there was a story in one of the national dailies quoting Michelle Payne as criticizing Boss and declaring his show pony stunt at the end of feature race wins as unnecessary.
Perhaps it’s time that the Jockeys’ Association formulated a policy that forbids their members from saluting before or after the post. They are the first to remind us how dangerous the profession is.
That being the case, why should they not issue a stern ultimatum to all jockeys not to take unnecessary risks?
EDITOR’S NOTE: HERE is a story by BRENDAN CORMICK, who I believe was the one-time manger of Glen Boss, in THE AUSTRALIAN, that the above e-mail refers to:
FELLOW jockey Michelle Payne has fired a broadside at Glen Boss, describing his celebratory gesture in the run to the winning post during the Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday as "lairy".
After a brilliant front-running ride, during which he dictated a dawdling tempo to his 15 rivals, Boss stood high in the stirrup irons and revelled in the moment.
Payne, who finished 13th on Sahara Sun, took to Twitter with a link to a photograph of Boss in full stretch. She stated, in no uncertain terms, that he put himself and others at risk.
"It's unnecessary, dangerous and just plain 'Lairy' (sic). You got away with cheap sectionals, well done #sitdown," Payne wrote.
Boss goes out of his way to promote racing and is known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, however, his exuberance at the end of a race polarises racing fans. Saturday's outpouring of emotion was described by some as theatre while others branded it the antics of a cowboy.
Boss was fined $2000 by Racing Victoria stewards and warned that he faces a suspension if he continues to be a repeat offender. Chief steward Terry Bailey said yesterday the message was not getting through to the champion jockey.
"We don't want to be seen as the fun police," Bailey said. "This is a safety issue and the fines in the past don't seem to be a deterrent. When you consider the repercussions of him being dislodged in the path of a field, it is just common sense.
"Since the 2009 Cox Plate that he won on So You Think, he has incurred $7000 in fines for celebratory gestures."
Fines are paid directly to the National Jockeys Trust.
Boss did not return calls yesterday.
SHOULD AUSTRALIAN STEWARDS TAKE A LEAF OUT OF THE BOOK OF HONG KONG COLLEAGUES? 
MARK L of PERTH sent this e-mail:
‘RATHER than continue to bash Glen Boss for celebrating a big race win perhaps stewards in Australia should take a leaf from the book of their colleagues in Hong Kong.
If the stewards there – and might I mention many of them cut their teeth on the Australian racing scene – were to fine or suspend a jockey every time he celebrated a win there would arguably be no-one left to ride.
Perhaps they don’t get as high in the irons as Boss did on Mr O’Ceirin at the finish of the Naturalism but it is an accepted practice for almost every jockey in Hong Kong to salute when he wins a race or to produce some form of gesture to the crowd passing the winning post.
I haven’t heard of any life-threatening incidents occurring in Hong Kong as a result of the actions of those jockeys and it happens in almost every race every day of the season there.
And hark back to the days when Frankie Dettori would somersault off a big race winner. That might have been in the enclosure but he was surrounded by people, the horse could have taken fright and lashed out or even injured itself. But nothing was done to rein in his celebration.
It’s time for the stewards to reach a happy medium with jockeys – there’s room for compromise on both sides of the fence from where many of us sit.’
PHOTO FINISH BETWEEN RAY MURRIHY AND GLEN BOSS FOR RACING’S ‘HUMAN HEADLINE’ 
AND this one from JIMMY J of SYDNEY:
‘IT’S a photo finish between Chief Steward Ray Murrihy and top jockey Glen Boss to decide just who is racing’s human headline.
Whilst Murrihy seems to be suffering a bout of stage-fight in his battle with ‘first lady’ Gai Waterhouse, Boss is determined to butt heads with Victorian Chief Stipe Terry Bailey.
Racing is used to the showmanship and bold statements from Boss but he is on a loser if he thinks the majority will support his stance of putting a stunt ahead of safety by rising in the saddle and saluting at the end of a race.
Bailey has given Boss fair warning that the fines will only get higher if he continues to break the rules and if this doesn’t act as a deterrent stewards may have to suspend him.
Who cares whether the stewards accept this practice in Hong Kong racing or motor cycle maniacs do wheelies as they take the chequered flag?
If Boss falls off before the finish the connections and the punters are not likely to be forgiving and heaven forbid if he causes injury to another horse or rider.
Glen, you are a great jockey, a true professional of the sport and no-one doubts how well you promote it. But just for a change how about being a shade conventional and stop hunting headlines or rocking the boat. It isn’t helping your image.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: HERE’S a story on the consequences that await GLEN BOSS if he continues to celebrate at the end of races. It was written this week by PATRICK BARTLEY in THE AGE:
COLORFUL jockey Glen Boss has been warned he faces suspension if he repeats the celebration he performed after piloting Mr O'Ceirin to victory in the Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
Chief steward Terry Bailey gave the warning while fining Boss $2000 for standing in the irons and waving to the crowd.
''There are celebratory gestures and there are celebratory gestures, and what he did on Mr O'Ceirin was dangerous and worrying,'' Bailey said on Sunday.
''He's standing high in the irons, just with his toe in the iron and something's only got to shift ever so slightly for him to come off.
''And what sort of a mess would we have then? How would that be justified to owners and indeed punters?
''I'm not being harsh on certain gestures, this is at a critical point of a race and if a fall or something like that happened, it wouldn't be a joke any more.''
Boss has amassed $7000 in fines for whip-waving celebrations since being penalised $1000 after his victory on So You Think in the 2009 Cox Plate.
He was fined after winning the Bendigo Cup last spring and again after winning the Mornington Cup early this year.
GAI WATERHOUSE ‘THINKS SHE IS BIGGER THAN THE INDUSTRY ITSELF IN NSW’ 
TRAINER Gai Waterhouse continues to raise the ire of readers as she thumbs her nose at the authority of the stewards in Sydney. Here are a couple of examples of e-mails received:
GREG M of MELBOURNE writes:
‘GAI Waterhouse obviously believes that she is bigger than the industry itself in New South Wales.
And why wouldn’t she the way the media promotes her image as the ‘First Lady of Racing’?
It’s time that someone in authority – namely Chief Steward Ray Murrihy – sat Mrs Waterhouse on her behind and told her a few home truths, beginning with the fact that she cannot expect to be treated differently to any other licensee.
If Billy Bloggs – a no-name trainer from back of Burke – had adopted the same arrogant attitude to authority as Waterhouse he would have been out on his ear.
But not our Gai – it almost seems as though the stewards fear what will happen if they call her bluff and show her whose boss rather than continue this increasingly embarrassing list of warnings.
Waterhouse is thumbing her nose at the authorities, threatening to move interstate to Melbourne, refusing to obey directions to notify treatment or problems with her horses.
How long is the Murrihy panel and Racing NSW going to tolerate this abuse of the rules?
Forever it seems.
GAI COULD BE HEADING OUT INTO STORMY WATERS IF SHE EXPECTS ‘START’ IN MELBOURNE 
And this one from PERCY S of MELBOURNE:
‘IF Gai Waterhouse thinks she is going to get ‘more start’ in Melbourne than she has in Sydney she is living in dreamland.
Can anyone imagine Terry Bailey allowing her as many warnings as Ray Murrihy has in recent times? I don’t think so.
The officials might be throwing out the welcome mat in Melbourne which has impressed the ‘first lady.’ But she has too much to lose by leaving Sydney. This is all one big bluff on her behalf.
She seems to be sending a message to the authorities that Sydney racing will not survive without her. Good luck love – it now has Chris Waller who makes you look second rate.
It’s time you fell in line and copped the Rules of Racing on the chin like every other licensee is expected to. For too long you have been able to intimidate far too many who are running racing in NSW.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: Rather that comment on this I prefer to leave it to one of the respected media experts on all things racing in Sydney in KEN CALLANDER. Here is what he wrote this week in his column in the DAILY TELEGRAPH:
GAI Waterhouse is correctly tabbed Racing’s First Lady. She is the face of the sport, an ambassador par excellence and the racing person best known to the people in the street.
But she is not above racing.
Last Saturday week I was fined $106 on the way to Rosehill for doing 70kph in a zone marked 60kph. It was on a six lane highway and I think the speed limit is ridiculous, but that is the rules of the road and if I want to continue driving in NSW I must abide by the rules.
It is the same with Gai, she has to abide by the rules of racing, which the stewards again consider she did not by failing to report lameness in the horse Rockabil this week.
Racing is financed by the punters in the pubs and clubs of Bankstown, Penrith, Wagga, Grafton and wherever and the Racing NSW stewards want to make the sport transparent to give these investors the confidence to bet.
Gai may think she is the best person to know whether a horse in her stable is lame or is fit to race and she may be right, but those punters who backed More Joyous in the All Aged Stakes might not necessarily agree with her.
John O’Shea reported to stewards before Wednesday’s Newcastle meeting that his horse Savvy Nature, who won the Spring Stakes, had a slight problem and he did the same with Kingdoms before the Hill Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. Both horses were inspected by officials and given the all clear, absolutely no problem.
HAVING HIS SAY IN THE WEDNESDAY WHINGE – AND WE’RE HAPPY TO ACCOMMODATE 
PHIL D of TOOWOOMBA sent this e-mail:
‘I just wanted to comment on a couple of issues that are doing the rounds in racing and thank the Wednesday Whinge in anticipation for providing the space I know I would not get if I sent this to The Courier-Mail.
The Gai story and her threatened move to Melbourne caught my eye. She wants to think twice about going. There is an old saying about a frying pan and a fire.
There is also a story doing the rounds – that hasn’t made the newspapers – about a prominent Queensland official who is bragging to his interstate colleagues about success in the north in swabbing deterrents.
“We name and shame them by publishing readings on our website,” he boasted. “This lists those who are flirting with danger, acts as a deterrent and show that we are pro-active despite reports to the contrary. It is working well.”
Can you visualize a situation where a reading was close to its maximum before being declared a ‘positive’? Oops boys, back off 30 or 40 minutes, or perhaps it maybe a case of ‘the recipe’ being incorrectly mixed?
The Queensland official’s line is the butt of many interstate jokes. As one Melbourne official commented to his colleagues: “There’s nothing like having a ‘run up’ start, is there?”
To boot, having the pleasure of listening to DRB (Don’t Remember Bob) at the Racing Inquiry copping it across the lug is music to my ears.
Three cheers for the ‘Silk’ assisting at the Inquiry. Plenty of us our enjoying it and we can’t wait for ‘the Hammer’ to take the stand this Wednesday to see if this hearing wears his oh so eloquent responses like the previous one did.
EDITOR’S NOTE: THERE was good news yesterday from RQ about the introduction of a series of integrity initiatives including a unit similar to the one that has proven so successful in Victoria. Perhaps this answers some of the criticism above or is at least a step in the right direction to correct the problems that allegedly exist.
IT’S TIME FOR THE CURTAIN TO FALL ON THE GREAT CAREER OF HAY LIST 
DARREN W of SYDNEY writes:
‘WHAT more has Hay List to prove and why don’t his connections do the right thing and retire this once great galloper?
It’s a crying shame to see him going around trying to reproduce the form he once possessed.
Steward in Charge of the Randwick meeting on Saturday, Greg Rudolph, raised the ticklish issue of what the future held for Hay List with trainer John McNair.
His reply was music to the ears of the legion of fans who still admire the great horse. Retirement is being discussed.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: HERE is a story on the above topic by CHRISTIAN NICOLUSSI in the DAILY TELEGRAPH:
HAY List will live to fight another day with retirement plans put on hold, despite the sprinter beating just one runner home on Saturday.
Questions were raised about the immediate future of the three-time Group 1 winner after he was beaten nearly six lengths in the Group 3 The Shorts (1100m).
Acting chief steward Greg Rudolph didn’t muck about and asked trainer John McNair straight after the race: "Are there any thoughts to this being it?."
McNair replied: "We’re going to discuss it right now."
After the horse pulled up fine, McNair said it was likely Hay List would race on to either the Gilgai Stakes (1200m) in Melbourne on Saturday week, or the Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on the same day, with the weight-for-age conditions in the latter more to his liking.
"He must have choked down on something, and at the 900m you see him throw his head in the air, so that’s probably when it happened," McNair said yesterday.
"The horse seems to have recovered exceptionally well from the run, so we’ll just play it by ear. Most of the family believe it wouldn’t be right to pull his career based on one run, especially when his first-up run was so good."
McNair told stewards Saturday night he expected Hay List to win or go close to winning. After a lengthy lay-off with injuries, Hay List resumed with an encouraging fifth in the Concorde Stakes, only to loom up at the top of the straight and then find little on Saturday.
The winner of more than $2.5 million prizemoney has become a favourite with punters. But there are just as many critics, with several punters urging the horse to retire after The Daily Telegraph tweeted the news Hay List was set to race on.
TIME TO ‘STOP BAGGING THE AUTHORITIES’ FOR PROTECTING RACING INTERESTS 
JOHN C of MELBOURNE sent this e-mail:
‘WHY is it that every time the authorities legislate to protect thoroughbred racing they are bagged by some of the country’s top trainers and the body that represents them?
It’s time the Australian Trainers’ Association accepted that changes – like a complete ban on anabolic steroids use on horses – is welcomed by the majority of the industry and by the punters.
Even equine veterinarians have joined the barrage of criticism against the ban by the Australian Racing Board and that problem relates to the fees they will lose in not being able to administer the drugs.
On top of the steroid ban criticism we have the NSW Trainers’ Association taking the ARB to task for introducing a ‘stand down’ rule which many believe is long overdue.
This allows stewards to stand down a licensee whose participation in racing might pose an unacceptable risk to or prejudice the image, interests or integrity of racing.
The NSWRTA has called it ‘draconian and unreasonable’ and claim that it removes the ‘presumption of innocence until proven guilty.’
It might give stewards greater powers but there will also be added responsibility for them to get it right if they invoke the rule against a licensee. And in any case those who do the right thing should have nothing to worry about.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: HERE is a story that the above e-mail is no doubt referring to:
LEADING trainer Peter Moody and Australian Trainers’ Association president Colin Alderson have criticized the ban on anabolic steroids use for thoroughbreds.
But trainer Colin Little welcomed the move, saying it would stop yearlings being pumped up for the sales.
From May 1, no galloper older than six months will be allowed to be treated with anabolic steroidsnext year.
Moody and Alderson said they had no problem with the existing in-competition ban but questioned being unable to treat horses when in the paddock.
“If it can aid a horse resting or overcoming injury, who is it hurting?” Moody said.
“Treating injured or weary horses and helping them recover should be a health priority.
“This has been brought about by the Poms, who want drugs banned totally."
Moody said he could envisage owners refusing to have horses gelded “because they will want to keep the testosterone in them".
“We could end up like England with thousands of useless stallions going around,” he said.
Alderson said there was a place for steroids when horses were not in competition mode.
Moody said everyone wanted a level playing field on the racetrack, but the overall ban of a drug that can prolong a horse's track life had a place in the system.
Alderson said anyone caught using anabolic steroids when a horse was racing deserved the book thrown at him.
“However, I am disappointed that they have banned it outright because I think there is a place for it when horses are not in competition mode,” he said.
“Owners and everyone in the industry want horses up and running as quickly as possible. Anabolic steroids can help a horse recover from a virus or injury when he is sent to the paddock. It can be a huge help.
“It seems an easy out for the administrators. This should be about animal welfare and health issues.
“The problem is that you mention a drug and everyone thinks the worst."
Little said steroids were a problem for yearling buyers.
BITS AND PIECES
RACING OF ARAB HORSES TO BECOME PART OF THE BIG BREEDERS’ CUP CARD 
REMEMBER our piece last week about Arabian racing making in-roads into the gallops in Queensland. Well it seems the move is global. Here is an American story on the situation there:
THE Breeders’ Cup has announced that it has executed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Emirates Equestrian Federation (EEF) towards the formation of a long-term business partnership between the two organizations.
This new relationship will begin with a purebred Arabian race to be contested at this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park.
The Breeders’ Cup is Thoroughbred racing’s international year-end championship, consisting of 14 races and purses and awards totaling $27 million to be held on Friday, November 1 and Saturday November 2.
The President of the UAE Cup, for purebred Arabian horses, will be held on the Friday, November 1 program.
DANNY NIKOLIC AGAIN FACING RAD BOARD ON IMPROPER CONDUCT CHARGE 
IT will soon become news when controversial jockey Danny Nikolic ISN’T in trouble with stewards or racing authorities.
ADRIAN DUNN reports for the RACING NETWORK that suspended jockey Danny Nikolic must again face the Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board to answer an improper conduct charge.
Nikolic is charged under Rule 175 (a) in relation to an alleged incident with Racing Victoria steward Wade Hadley that took place outside the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribual last November.
During a break in Nikolic’s appeal to VCAT against a then two-year disqualification for threatening RV chief steward Terry Bailey at Seymour races in early September, RV stewards alleged that the jockey approached Hadley and threatened him.
When Nikolic appeared in June before the RAD Board to answer the charges, legal counsel for the jockey argued that as he was a disqualified jockey he didn’t fall under the gamut of racing’s rules and therefore could not be charged.
Legal counsel for Nikolic also argued that the RAD Board should not hear the charges as there was an alleged bias against him.
While the RAD Board dismissed both legal arguments, Nikolic appealed the decisions to VCAT.
Last Friday VCAT dismissed both appeals by Nikolic.
The RAD Board will now hear the charges against Nikolic at 10am on Thursday, October 17.
Earlier this year, VCAT dismissed Nikolic’s appeal against threatening Bailey, but varied his penalty to one year disqualification and one year suspension.
NO EVIDENCE TO SUBSTANTIATE CONCERNING CLAIMS IN 7.30 REPORT ON RACING 
MATT STEWART, wrote this piece in the HERALD SUN in response to an item on the ABC 7.30 REPORT:
THERE is no evidence of widespread sexual misconduct or ripping off of local and migrant workers in racing stables, according to Victorian racing administrators
The ABC’s 7.30 program on Tuesday night portrayed an industry where stable staff was overworked, underpaid, denied income they were owed and generally exploited.
It accused top trainer Anthony Cummings of illegally employing foreign students, a practice Cummings said he stopped in July following an audit from Fair Work Australia.
A lawyer representing disgruntled ex-staff of some of Australia’s leading stables has accused some trainers of “flagrant" breaches regarding the minimum award wage.
Part of the report focused on a female worker who had been indecently assaulted by a leading Melbourne trainer.
Racing Victoria chief executive Bernard Saundry said he was not aware of widespread sexual abuse or poor treatment of workers.
Stables were regularly inspected and protocols and programs were in place to ensure staff were being adequately paid and treated.
“Stable employees play an important role in the sport and are in many ways the industry’s unsung heroes. It is incumbent on the trainer as their employer to ensure that they are provided a safe working environment and paid appropriately,” he said.
Australian Trainers’ Association chief executive John Alducci said it would be “unfair and insulting" to portray racing as riddled with abuse and ill-treatment issues.
“Like any industry there are going to be occasional issues but racing has improved out of sight in these areas," Alduci said.
“To make generalizations based on one or two specific incidents, to denigrate an entire industry, is wrong," Alducci said.
TRAINERS ‘RISKING THEIR CAREERS’ TO GAINE A COUPLE OF EXTRA METRES 
MATT STEWART also reported in the HERALD SUN that trainers who illegally inject horses with a drug to combat bleeding are risking their careers to gain a couple of metres, according to Racing Victoria’s Chief Vet.
Dr Brian Stewart and Racing Victoria’s stewards believe the undetectable substance involved in a spate of recent syringe-to-the-neck “gotcha’’ raids is a drug similar to Lasix called Diurex.
In the past 10 months, Robert Smerdon, Ricky Maund and Tony Vasil have been found guilty of illegally administering an undetectable substance on race day.
Smerdon, Maund and Vasil were each fined $10,000.
Paul Beshara, whose star miler Happy Trails was raided last Saturday, was yesterday charged by stewards for illegal raceday treatment.
Happy Trails was to have run in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes but was a sensational race-day scratching.
Beshara has insisted he’s innocent, saying last Saturday, “I’m not into that stuff".
Under recent rule changes, a trainer caught injecting a horse on race day could face two years’ disqualification.
“They’d be mad to do it now," Stewart said.
“The risk-to-benefit ratio is terrible.
“You would hope that recent cases would act as a serious deterrent."
Stewart said recent cases, of star horses being jabbed by a syringe, producing lumps and trickles of blood, have conjured a sinister connotation and damaged racing’s reputation.
“It’s been a bad look, no doubt," Stewart said.
Stewart said the “strongest theory’’ was that trainers were using Diurex to help treat horses who bled from the lungs.
A first-time bleeder, as detected by stewards, faces a three-month racing ban. A second offender is banned for life.
Stewart said horses treated with Diurex gained a real advantage, even if the drug was not masking a far more effective and undetectable drug — which he said was also possible.
Lasix is banned worldwide bar a few states in the US.
“It’s a bit like Lasix, just not as effective," Stewart said.
“It rids a horse of excess fluids, maybe up to 10kg, and clears the lungs. Losing that dead weight might improve a horse’s performance by a couple of metres during the course of a race.”
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