THE WEDNESDAY WHINGE has a new look but won’t be dispensing with the theme and focus on the THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY side of what is happening in racing. The Whinge will continue to provide an opportunity for The Cynics to Have Their Say. Thanks again for your support for the most read column on this website and one of the most read on racing websites in the country. Our popularity continues to grow despite the bagging it cops from some high profile officials, especially in Queensland, who cannot cope with constructive criticism of any kind. We encourage supporters – and critics – to continue to contribute but plan to restrict the Whinge to less than 10 of the best items each week. Our message to those who continually bag us is simple: IF YOU DON’T LIKE WHAT YOU READ, THEN DON’T REVISIT THE WHINGE.
FAME GAME ‘ONE OF THE BEST MELBOURNE CUP WARM-UPS OF ALL TIME?’ 
BERNIE ALEXANDER of MELBOURNE sent this interesting email:
‘BACK in the day when stewards were, shall I say, a little less attentive than in this era of front, back and inside live racing coverage, there were some ‘raging hot’ warm-ups for the Melbourne Cup.
But might I argue that few would compare with that of Japanese superstar Fame Game in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup and if he comes out and trounces the field on the first Tuesday in November under different riding tactics then stewards are entitled to open a retrospective inquiry.
Granted it was a sprint home from the 1000m mark and Fame Game was back with the cab-catchers early which made his task near on impossible, but those of us who have watched racing over the years might argue that Zac Purton gave the horse next to no chance at all.
The bookies and good judges obviously agree, with Fame Game rated the big Cup trial out of the Caulfield pipe-opener and emerging as the new favorite for the Melbourne Cup.
From a punters’ point of view, if he wins on that first Tuesday in November there will still be a sour taste in the mouths of those who backed him in the Caulfield Cup. Reports suggest that as much as $5 million was lost on Fame Game in that race.
The theory that stewards were warned beforehand that he was better suited over 3200m and might not be at home around Caulfield doesn’t excuse the ride or the fact that the horse really was given no hope of winning.
It’s a bit puzzling how the Victorian stewards’ panel could take no action when they came to the conclusion that the Purton ride ‘lacked purpose’, the instructions were a ‘low percentage play’ and Fame Game’s finish ‘wasn’t the same sort of vigor’ that they are accustomed to seeing from this top international jockey.
They all but told him he was responsible for failing to give the horse every chance of being in a position to win the race yet they didn’t charge him largely on the basis that the horse was having its first Australian start etc.
The smile might be on the other side of Purton's face come Cup day though. Stewards have made it clear to connections and jockey that they expect Fame Game to be ridden the same way. If he gets through a bit of traffic then comes to the outside on the turn and blows them away, will that be acceptable?
Bailey was certainly correct when he assumed that anyone watching the race could have had ‘bad thoughts’. Purton said he was stunned that his ride was questioned. What did they put in that Yum Cha you’ve been eating back home in Honkers Zac?’
‘WHAT ABOUT THE SLAUGHTER JOB OF JASON COLLET ON BEATEN UP’? 
NORMAN LOCKWOOD of SYDNEY writes:
‘MUCH has been made of the ride of Zac Purton on Fame Game in the Caulfield Cup but what about the slaughter job that Jason Collett did on Beaten Up in the City Tatt’s Club Cup at Randwick?
Bearing in mind that Beaten Up’s two Australian runs over the 2400m journey had resulted in placings in The BMW and The Metropolitan, one would have expected him to make short work of Saturday’s inferior field.
Not only did he blow like a gale in the betting after Fixed Odds opened (he did eventually firm on race day), but Beaten Up was never put in a position where he could win the race.
He had never settled further back than seventh at his previous five starts but was last most of the way in a slowly run Tatts Club Cup which meant he had next to no chance. Surely a stable of Chris Waller’s standard would have done their homework and mapped tactics that would have given him a better chance of winning by settling closer.
Beaten Up ran fifth and never looked a threat behind the well backed Ruling Dynasty. Chances are he will come out and win at one of his next couple of starts and they will just blame the improvement on how this race was run.
The apologist for all the bad rides in Sydney – SKY’S Ron Dufficy (himself a former mediocre jockey) – was quick to defend the Collett ride and blamed the lack of pace, as well as suggesting the horse hasn’t won for some time (correct, but he has his hoof on the till and Waller continues to persevere with him).
Amazingly, the Sydney stewards saw nothing wrong with the Beaten Up ride. The only mention the favorite got in their report was: ‘Slowly away’. Yet they saw fit to question the improved performance of winner Ruling Dynasty which the Cummings stable attributed to dropping back from a weight-for-age race to a handicap. It did by the way get beaten seven lengths at its previous start and pulled up with a poor recovery so the win was a major form reversal.
Beaten Up’s defeat was just another example of how punters continue to be burned by horses from the stable of ‘champion’ trainer Waller. Counterattack improved out of sight on Saturday and Catkins again went like a mule in Melbourne. It now doubt will continue to happen and nothing will be done about it.’
‘HERE’S HOPING MRS BROWN’S BOY FINDS HIS COMPASS FOR BUFFERING’ 
ALAN LONERGAN of SUNSHINE COAST writes:
‘HERE’S hoping Mrs Brown’s boy, Damien, locates his apparently lost compass before arriving at the Valley to ride star sprinter Buffering on Friday night.
The rot set in when he rode plunge horse Hardline – considered good enough to take south for a Group 1 spring assignment – which ran last at Doomben after firming from $5 to $2 favoritism.
It wouldn’t be a Saturday in Brisbane racing without a hot favorite going awful or a form reversal win – and both happened at the weekend – and Browne was involved with each.
He told a stewards’ inquiry (yes they were right on the ball and didn’t miss the poor showing of Hardline in the last) that the gelding never travelled well after suffering interference coming to the first turn. It did not respond to his riding in the straight and as a result Browne didn’t persist in riding it out to the line and it consequently ran last. Tell us something we didn’t already know.
But then came the ‘rider’ in case it turns into a mammoth form reversal and wins next start. Browne told stewards that on a previous occasion Hardline suffered interference and tossed his Teddy out of the cot.
Bad luck again rode shotgun with Browne on Sunday at the Sunshine Coast where he was trapped three wide on two fancied runners that dropped out like they were shot. Lady Denman, a heavily backed favorite, sat deep and trainer Stewart Kendrick could offer no explanation. Perhaps it had something to do with the slaughter job.
Passatorio, a stablemate which suffered the same fate being obliged to race three wide for Browne, also disappointed Kendrick but of course he said nothing of the bad ride.
To be fair favorites have an absymal record at the Sunshine Coast where it must be said every horse has its chance on that big track - or do they when posted in the bleaches.
Here’s hoping when Brown jumps aboard Buffering at the Valley in the big one on Friday night he finds some cover and isn’t again scouting a wide passage. He’s a better jockey than that – in fact one of the best.’
‘WHAT IS THE REASON FOR PETER MOODY CLOSING HIS STABLE IN SYDNEY?’ 
DICK HOSKING of MELBOURNE sent this email:
‘MY mates and I are great fans of Peter Moody and admire what he has done for racing on and off the track. We couldn’t imagine the industry without him.
We were told recently that Peter is planning to close his Randwick stable. Firstly, is that correct and secondly, is it because of his problems in Victoria or the fact that he, too, has been forced out by the dominance of the big three in Sydney?
I couldn’t imagine a trainer of ‘Moods’ capabilities being scared of any other stable in racing or what they have achieved. Certainly the domination of Sydney racing by Waller, O’Shea and Waterhouse has driven many of the smaller stables out of the city – if that hadn’t already been done at the hands of Racing NSW.
Their lack of support for stables that don’t have the influence of the ‘big three’ just highlights the hypocrisy of the likes of Messara and V’Landys when we now see them forced to fall back on the ‘boys and girls from the bush’ to support this ‘Highway Series’ and enable nine races and hopefully bigger fields to boost an embarrassing Saturday Sydney racing scene.
But back to Moody and one would imagine the costs of his legal battle in this cobalt drama have not been insignificant. He and his wife also have a massive ownership interest – they would be among some of the biggest in this land. He has talked about walking away if things turn nasty when his inquiry is concluded.
Moody’s decision is a bitter blow for Sydney racing. The thought of him being lost to Victoria as well would be even worse for racing in Australia. And please do not read into this that we believe any trainer is entitled to treat a horse and escape penalty-free but we are confident there must be a reasonable explanation for what happened to him.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: HERE is an item from NIC ASHMAN’S AT THE TRACK column in the SYDNEY TELEGRAPH that might help part of the above email:
WHEN Peter Moody shuts down his Randwick stable on November 30, Clare Cunningham will commence the next chapter of her career.
For those that don’t know, Cunningham is the back bone of Moody’s operation in the harbor city.
She not only looks after the horses but also rides them in work as well. And Moody himself will tell you, Plucky Belle’s win in the Coolmore Classic earlier this year was a credit to Cunningham, who has looked after the horse for two years.
Moody sent a letter to his staff in Sydney on Friday advising them the stable would close.
“It’s the end of my favorite chapter in life so far,” Cunningham said. “I’ve been with Peter for four years and have learned so much. He took me in when I was still pretty green and through his guidance I’ve really developed.
“He’s a brilliant trainer and horseman but on top of that, he’s just a lovely man. I couldn’t measure what he’s done for me and for my career. Losing the stable is a shame but I know I couldn’t be better trained for whatever comes next.”
And at this stage, the 26-year-old hasn’t committed to “the next chapter” but hinted a possible trip overseas with boyfriend and jockey Jason Collett could be on the cards.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure what I will do at this stage,” Cunningham said. “Obviously I’ll be staying in racing because I love it. I spent some time in Hong Kong recently and would love to go back for a bit.
“Jason might get a gig over there and things could work out. I’ve done a little bit of media work and that certainly interests me.”
‘SOCIAL MEDIA MORONS HAVE HELPED HIGHLIGHT THE CLASS ACT OF GREG MILES’ 
BARRY ROGERS of MELBOURNE writes:
‘GREG Miles has always been a class act – not only behind the microphone – but that has been an accepted fact in racing for years.
Miles made a rare faux pas – as it turns out due to illness that he had fought off all week – when he called the Caulfield Cup under extreme pressure last Saturday.
Of course the morons who fancy themselves as commentators took to social media to give him a baking. Many would never have experienced pressure in the work force – they have collected the dole for so long and spend their day trolling the net.
The only mistake Miles made was not admitting that he may have been too ill to do the job to his usual 110 per cent last Saturday and unfortunately a few will chose to remember his one bad call.
Being the ultimate professional he was the first to concede his call was a ‘train wreck’. I wouldn’t have gone that far. Sure, he got Mongolian Khan confused with Magnolian Khan – but it was evident to anyone who has listened to his many magnificent big race calls that something was wrong. There was that shortness of breath, the hesitation – it was almost like you were expecting him to stop calling mid-race.
But he didn’t – soldiering on under the most trying of circumstances. In his field of race calling Greg Miles is every bit the champion of the many equine stars of the turf that he has called so eloquently over the years and will continue to do right into the twilight of his career.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: I found it quite incredible that Greg Miles saw the need to apologize to the racing and punting public for his Caulfield Cup call. It wasn’t as though he got the finish wrong but it speaks volumes for the man’s professionalism and pride in his job that he needed fans to know what went wrong.
“When things started unraveling like they did soon after the start, it wasn’t a very pleasant place to be,” Miles told RSN in Melbourne on Sunday. “A mile out I knew I was in trouble. Breathing was a major issue. Things weren’t right. It was a train wreck and I apologize. I probably shouldn’t have been there.”
This was his record 35th Caulfield Cup call. Forget the mugs in social media fairyland who jumped at the opportunity to take a pop shot at an achiever. Greg, you are – and always will be – one the greats who has already earned your spot in the Racecallers’ Hall of Fame.
‘RACING MINISTER OUT OF TOUCH WITH FEELINS OF STAKEHOLDERS IN QLD’ 
DAN McPHERSON of GOLD COAST writes:
‘AN indication of just how ill-informed and out-of-touch the Racing Minister is with the feelings of stakeholders and followers of the industry in Queensland can be gauged by his recent comments in State Parliament.
Jan Stuckey, the Shadow Minister for Racing, seems to be the only one who can get an answer out of Bill Byrne on issues related to the industry and that is under extreme duress. Then again, why would anyone want to explain what is going on at Deagon – no-one in the confines of the bunker seems to have a clue themselves?
Mrs Stuckey raised the contentious appointment of Jamie Dart as Acting Head of Integrity and Stewarding after he oversaw greyhound racing as Chief Steward in the lead-up to the ‘live baiting’ scandal.
To put it mildly – in the eyes of many in the industry – the appointment is hypocritical, came from left field, was regarded interstate as an absolute joke and Mr Dart is yet to strike a blow in his new role.
Here is what was said on this issue in State Parliament last week for those who might have missed it:
MRS STUCKEY: My question without notice is to the Minister for Sport and Racing. Jamie Dart was promoted to the role of Acting Chief Steward for Racing Queensland despite having previously been a steward for greyhounds at the time of live baiting. Is the minister sure that the racing industry has confidence in this appointment?
Mr BYRNE: I thank the member for the question. I can answer it very simply and say yes, I am confident. I am confident because the reputation of the individual mentioned has been heavily scrutinized. The police unit that was set in place to investigate the allegations that came from the Four Corners program very clearly expressed support for that appointment, as did everybody else who has had any knowledge of the individual concerned. So I can assure the member that there was very thorough consideration. I think it is rather unfortunate that someone whose reputation has managed to sail through all of this journey is being theoretically sullied by being asked about the credibility of his appointment — an appointment that was recommended by people who know about such matters and one that I was happy to endorse.
Mrs STUCKEY: I rise to a point of order. The minister is misleading the House. I ask him to withdraw. I did not impugn anyone’s reputation.
Mr SPEAKER: Are you saying that he has impugned your reputation?
Mrs STUCKEY: I find his comments personally offensive.
Mr SPEAKER: And you ask that they be withdrawn?
Mrs STUCKEY: I ask him to withdraw.
CHAIR: Minister, will you please withdraw the comments.
Mr BYRNE: I withdraw. The last thing that I would ever want to do is offend the member. The fact is that, when the nomination was revealed to me, it did concern me that some would choose to make this nefarious connection between a previous role with greyhounds and the present role imagined within Racing Queensland. It is a pretty ill-informed, low, difficult line to follow to suggest that this appointment in any way, shape or form is not appropriate. I have complete confidence in the advice that has been provided to me that has been completely, utterly and thoroughly interrogated. There is nobody of any standing or credentials who has a reputation intact associated with the industry who is making critical comment.
Sorry Mr Minister, but I would like to suggest that your statement that ‘nobody of any standing or credentials who has a reputation intact is making comment that is critical of the Dart appointment’ shows just how out of touch you and your advisers are.
If the Dart appointment is indicative of what we can expect when it comes to naming a new Board and a new CEO for RQ then the future and life span for a healthy Queensland racing industry is a gloomy one indeed.'
HERE’S OUR SUGGESTION OF SOME WHO SHOULD BE ENTICED TO NEW BOARD 
EDITOR’S NOTE: IT must be my mistake but I thought I read in the mainstream media where the new Board was to be named in the sittings of Parliament just ended – hopefully the next one.
As far as I am concerned – political affiliations aside – I believe that Ray Stevens is the best credentialed Member of the House to do the job of Racing Minister (unfortunately he is now in Opposition and when he was in Government he got stabbed in the back for the job by some colleagues).
I’ll set myself up for some fireworks here. They keep saying there aren’t any suitable people available to run racing in Queensland. Well here’s my ‘kiss of death’ suggestion list of a few key racing identities that would be among the first ones that I would consider for appointment to a new Board if the Government or powers-that-be are serious about regaining respectability and financial security for the racing industry. But I doubt many of them are even interested or have been nominated.
I would start with the likes of two former Racing Ministers in Bob Gibbs or Peter Lawlor; two former Mayors in Jim Soorley (Brisbane) or Tony Mooney (Townsville); former All Codes Board members in Barry Taylor or Brad Steele; two high profile Race Club chairmen in Neville Bell (BRC) and Kevin O’Keefe (Townsville); two former Race Club Chairmen in Neville Stewart (Toowoomba) and Andrew Eggleston (Gold Coast) – you need a ‘loose cannon’ to ‘keep the bastards honest’ in this industry; two racing media identities in John McCoy (also a former Tattersall’s Club chairman) and former BTC director Peter Bredhauer (there isn’t much he hasn’t done in the industry, including speak his mind about its many parasites); and of course, there needs to be some appointments from the fairer sex and I can think of none better than former BTC Chairman Mary Collier and Owners’ Association heavy Kerrina King. And to finish off, I would look to the country and respected identities like Jim Rundle and Gary Peoples to ensure they had voices to be confident in as well.
I would bet my life savings (as minute as they are) that not one of these people will be appointed (probably none of them are interested anyway) but that’s my food for thought of the group we need to haul this industry out of the quick-sand – not a Board made up of businessmen with political agendas and affiliations who know nothing about racing or the intricacies of this ‘self destructing’ industry in Queensland.
I can’t wait for the grenades to be thrown back on this one.
‘IT’S EASY TO SEE WHO’S CALLING THE SHOTS BEHIND THE SCENES AT RQ’ 
ALBERT WILLIAMS, of REDCLIFFE, a regular critic of Racing Queensland, made this contribution:
‘WHEN one delves deeply into decisions being made by the powers-that-be at Racing Queensland it’s not difficult to determine where the pressure is coming from.
RQ is treating clubs and stakeholders north of Nambour with total disrespect and the rumor mill is rife that at least two of the First Lieutenants of the Interim RQ CEO are being heavily influenced by supposed ‘mates’ in major metropolitan racing.
Hall admits he knows little about racing. Problem is some of his advisors know even less and they are being hoodwinked into believing they can consult with certain people with political agendas who are leading them down the garden path on everything from plans for the carnival to the future of country clubs.
What odds when the big announcement is made about prizemoney and other industry rationalization brought about by this so-called financial crisis confronting RQ that the major sufferers come from the country – specifically from Rockhampton north?
After reading about plans to downgrade the Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns clubs from provincial to country status, one wonders who RQ consulted on this. It certainly wasn’t the clubs in those regions. If they aren’t worthy of provincial status, nor is Toowoomba but that's another story.
The boof-head RQ Operations Manager – he’s the one reportedly taking his riding instruction on changes to the carnival from a consultant to the Brisbane Racing Club – says the downgrade proposal followed a meeting with the ‘Industry Group’.
That ‘Group’ is obviously made up of ‘mates’ and ‘yes men’ of RQ who don’t give a rats about the survival of racing in the country or major provincial centres and one would suspect have their own agendas. It’s another insult and backhander to those fighting to survive outside the metropolitan area.
One wonders how the Racing Minister, who hails from Rockhampton, could allow this to happen in his own political backyard - that's if he even knows about it.
More to the point we were led to believe that Jim Rundle (the QTA chairman) had a hotline to Bill Byrne. It would seem these days that the Minister listens to no-one apart from the dills running RQ and within his own department’s bureaucracy and that’s on no hotline, more like a ‘shoe phone’ a la Maxwell Smart and not so Get Smart.’
‘MORE PRIZEMONEY TO MAGIC MILLIONS IN A DAY THAN WHOLE YEAR TO COUNTRY’ 
MAX SMITH of TOWNSVILLE sent this email:
‘ONE fears that the pleas of Rob Katter for the survival of racing in the country may well have fallen on deaf ears in the Queensland Parliament.
Katter pulled no punches and made it clear that harness racing should be held solely responsible for its $7 million debt. Here’s hoping Kevin Seymour was listening (despite other reports when Feathers Fly it is Big Kev who is calling the shots).
The sting was in the tail of what Rob Katter had to say and to any fair minded person it highlighted how ridiculously unfair this major Magic Millions race day is next January.
More prizemoney will be distributed on that day – over $10 million in fact – than the whole of Queensland country racing receives in a year. What an absolute farce that is!
And to think that the industry as a whole is helping foot the bill for the Gerry Harvey party with millions of dollars being contributed for years by RQ to enable Magic Millions to boast the richest race day in Australia.
It’s a case of racing’s millionaires making more millions while those battling to survive in the country continue to starve with more country clubs now facing the chop to finance the excesses in the metropolitan area.’
‘PERHAPS THEY SHOULD MAKE BILLY GORDON THE QLD RACING MINISTER’ 
MAX THWAITES of BRISBANE sent this email:
‘BRING on the clowns – perhaps Billy Gordon is the answer to Queensland racing’s woes.
If the industry in this State wasn’t already a big enough joke, now we find that Bill Byrne, the Minister responsible for Agriculture, Fisheries, Sport and Racing, has delegated some of his duties to ‘little Billy’.
Of course Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk knew nothing about it. That figures – she and her Minister seem to know nothing about horse racing either.
It would be nice to know just who is running racing in this State. The Minister doesn’t seem to have a clue what is going on; the bureaucrats advising him certainly have no idea; the Interim CEO getting paid a small fortune to guide the good ship, RQ Titanic, through the financial icebergs admits he’s still learning about racing and he is being advised by the greatest bunch of dunderheads since the control of thoroughbreds was stupidly taken away from the Queensland Turf Club.
Is it little wonder the Premier hasn’t got an idea what is going on?
Here’s hoping the recruitment company appointed to select candidates for the new Board (with over 200 nominations) has some idea just who is needed and that they can then find a competent CEO to inherit the poison chalice of trying to deal with stakeholders who self destruct every time there is talk of change.
The word is strong that an announcement will soon be made about some major prizemoney cuts. And all this is happening while the southern states steam ahead. I read recently where even South Australia has announced stakes increases. Where does that leave Queensland? One might suggest at the bottom of the pile.
But while we are bagging the Labor Government for its misgivings where racing is concerned let’s not forget those clowns they inherited this can of worms from. Not long ago we had ‘Furlong in Front’ Steve Dickson as Racing Minister, the de facto some would say for Tim Nicholls and the forgettable Kevin Dixon who will be remembered most for the wonderful 30-year sweetheart deal he did with Tattersall’s – arguably the worst and weakest betting organization in the land (just compare the holds any race day of the week with the real TABs in this country).
And on the subject of the LNP where are all those geniuses who had so much to say ‘under Parliamentary privilege’ about how racing was being driven to the wall by Bob Bentley and his Board.
I’m talking about Jeff ‘the Goose’ Seeney – remember him? How easy we forget – probably still living in Brisbane’s western suburbs and representing an electorate in the bush – or so they say.
Then there’s Lawrence ‘the three time Loser’ Springborg (still hanging on to eventually becoming Premier if he can rid the House of that dastardly Billy Gordon). Isn’t Laurie going strong as we all witnessed when his terrific revelation to Parliament about State School costs blew up in his face last week? God help Queensland if he ever becomes Premier.
If they can’t run the Parliament – either bunch of these clowns on both sides of the political fence – what hope have they got of getting a train wreck like racing back on the tracks? Next to none, I would imagine.’
‘HERE’S HOPING THESE PENALTIES FIT THE CRIME AND NOT THE INDIVIDUALS’ 
MERV McMAHON of GOLD COAST sent this email:
‘WHLST some might say it is inappropriate to comment on penalties before appeals are heard or decisions handed down, I am entitled to have my say.
There is a suggestion in the media that Australian Turf Club executive general manager of racing, Matt Rudolph, could escape with a hefty fine over his problems associated with the cobalt saga in Sydney.
That would be a major miscarriage of justice compared to the poor old photo finish judge who got disqualified because he had a bet on some races he wasn’t even officiating at. That’s without even delving into some of the other penalties that have been handed down in NSW racing.
Rudolph has been found guilty of attempting to obstruct or hinder stewards, misconduct and improper conduct and acting prejudicial to the image of racing by a sub-committee of the Racing NSW Board. By the way his brother Greg is a high profile steward and the son-in-law of Ray Murrihy, one of the most respected stipes in the land. How embarrassed must he be feeling right now – probably anger would be a more fitting description?
An ATC sub-committee handed down the guilty verdict over a show cause notice Rudolph faced for his involvement in a meeting with now disqualified trainer Sam Kavanagh and his father Mark at the Lord Dudley Hotel on March 2.
According to media reports, it was alleged Rudolph had acted on behalf of his long-time friend, veterinarian Tom Brennan and attempted to persuade Sam Kavanagh into changing his story in front of stewards.
Kavanagh had implicated Brennan and his veterinary practice, Flemington Equine Clinic (at a stewards' inquiry), with supplying a vitamin complex bottle which was found to contain extremely high concentrations of cobalt.
It’s all very messy and if Rudolph isn’t made an example of here many people in racing will believe there is one rule for one and one for others. At the least he should face the loss of his job and a term of disqualification from racing. A heavy fine – heaven forbid a stern warning – will not suffice considering the seriousness of this offence.
Then up in Queensland we have a Magic Millions-winning trainer in Darryl Hansen appealing his nine month disqualification over an elevated TCO2 reading. That may sound a severe enough penalty but is it considering his record?
Hansen, who trained Le Chef to win the $2 million Millions Two-Year-Old Classic in January, reportedly was facing his fifth offence under the same rule and got six months in 2011 after a Mackay Cup winner returned a positive to TCO2.
One might argue that he is becoming a ‘serial offender’. His lawyers, however, as is their right, have appealed the latest decision and sought a stay of proceedings.
Might I argue that the independent Racing Disciplinary Board might earn a few desperately needed Brownie Points for the integrity of racing in Queensland if they doubled the sentence?
And, finally, we now have all these cobalt hearings in Victoria under way and there is talk on what the penalties should be for those found guilty. As Patrick Bartley wrote in The Age, how can the situation be any different south of the border to NSW where those found guilty on cobalt charges (in both gallops and harness racing) have been given lengthy periods of disqualification?
It’s time those responsible for dishing out the penalties and hearing the appeals stopped adopting a 'soft cock' approach.
Some of the hard working stakeholders doing their best to win races, but failing at times at the hands of those who bend the rules, deserve a much fairer deal than they have been getting – and so do the ones who keep the sport going – the punters.’
EDITOR'S NOTE: Well Merv, you might be pleased to read the following by ADAM PENGILLY in today's FAIRFAX MEDIA:
THE Australian Turf Club has sacked Matt Rudolph, one of its highest ranking officials, after Racing NSW handed down a guilty verdict in his show-cause hearing on Monday.
"Racing NSW has conducted an investigation and made a determination, and we will abide by its decision," ATC chief executive officer Darren Pearce said.
"There can be no grey areas when it comes to matters of integrity in racing, and unfortunately this means that Mr Rudolph's employment as an executive with the ATC is no longer tenable."
Rudolph was the club's executive general manager of racing and became embroiled in the cobalt affair after being handed a show cause notice by Racing NSW over claims he attempted to induce embattled trainer Sam Kavanagh to change his evidence to stewards over the Midsummer Sun cobalt affair.
Submissions on Rudolph's penalty in the show cause hearing will be heard next Thursday.
COOK DIDN'T GET THE MAJORITY NEEDED TO EXTEND HIS STAY AS SKIPPER 
FROM a PROMINENT MEMBER of the GOLD COAST TURF CLUB
'I thought I would follow up on an issue I raised in the Whinge a few weeks back as it got no media coverage in the Gold Coast Bulletin following the AGM at the GCTC.
I am pleased to report that Chairman Brett Cook was left stone faced after a vote by Members to change the Constitution that would have seen him extend his stay at the helm from five to 10 years was defeated.
Mr Cook had his supporters at the meeting but Members weren't afraid to speak out against the motion.
The very poor financial results for the Club since the Government funded upgrade hasn't provided them with much to celebrate.
The Club did put on free drinks and food for Members after the AGM which was held before last Wednesday's race meeting,
Maybe they should have done that before the meeting and they might have buttered up a different result to the vote.
Now the million dollar question is who will take over from Cook.
The word is Directors are jostling for position to take the top job.
These are same Board Members who might have left the Chairman short in the vote with Proxies in short supply for a Yes to the change that really mattered to him.'
STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED IN THE MAINSTREAM RACING MEDIA
BOOKINGS FOR MELBOURNE CUP WEEK SKYROCKED DESPITE FALLING ECONOMY 
THE VRC is predicting a bumper carnival with bookings for Cup week up by 30 per cent for discount pre-sale tickets and up by 10 per cent in the corporate sector.
MICHAEL LYNCH reports for FAIRFAX MEDIA that with caution over the state of the Australian economy, the latter figure is a confidence booster, says new CEO Simon Love, who will be in charge of the country's most prestigious race club for the first time during a Cup carnival when the action at Flemington begins at the start of November.
The only cloud on the horizon - if not for this year but for the future - is the continued weakness of the Australian dollar.
The currency has slid dramatically in the past 12 months, making the value of the Melbourne Cup's prizemoney less attractive to overseas owners and trainers.
While the Melbourne Cup is still, at $6 million, an enormous pot, continued weakness could have an impact on the thinking of foreign owners and trainers considering targeting Australia's greatest race - especially if the currency continues to plunge.
"That is something we are always monitoring. I would be disappointed if it continued to drop away. We can't be blind to it. We compete in an international field, so it's something we have to be aware of," says Love.
Early bookings for general admission tickets sold in advance at a discount had grown strongly this year, while interest in the corporate sector had also increased, despite fears that business conditions might curtail investment and hospitality across a range of sports.
"Most of our general admission ticket sales come in the week leading up to the Cup so it's hard to get an overall gauge but the indications from the early sales are that interest will be as strong as ever, maybe more so. We are really pleased with the corporate response too."
The Melbourne Cup has cemented itself as the world's premier staying race, or certainly its No.1 long distance handicap.
But the VRC is now keen to broaden the international appeal of the entire week-long carnival by attracting more foreign runners for other feature events.
Last year top European sprinter Sole Power made the journey for the Darley Classic and ran down the track. The year before that Andrew Balding's consistent galloper Side Glance won the group 1 Mackinnon Stakes after finishing down the field in the Cox Plate.
These two have been outliers, but the VRC is keen to get foreign trainers, perhaps with Melbourne Cup runners, to bring other horses with them to run in these and other group 1 events.
Top of the list is the Emirates Stakes, a group 1 handicap over 1600 metres on the final day of the carnival. VRC officials are hoping that some top foreign "milers" can be tempted down under en route to the big Hong Kong International meeting in December.
Although the race is a handicap it is a compressed weight scale and few 1600m races around the world carry similar prizemoney.
AND if you haven't read the BUSH RACING FEATURE in last weekend's THE SUNDAY MAIL might we suggest you get a copy.
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