IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer TERRY BUTTS reports how Betfair is complaining about ‘unfair treatment’ in the new Race Information Fees structure introduced by Racing Queensland.
He also looks to the up-coming Townsville Cup carnival and questions the decision by Racing NSW stewards to fine apprentice jockey Claire Nutman for using her mobile phone in the jockeys’ room at Rosehill last Saturday.
Here is the Butts’ column:
‘CRUCIAL INDUSTRY RECEIVES A RETURN’ FROM RACING INFORMATION FEES
RACING Queensland changes to its Race Information Fees structure came into effect on July 1 and is already under fire from the corporate – particularly Betfair – the one we really didn’t have to have.
RQ CEO Darren Condon said in an evolving wagering market place, it was critical the industry received a return on the significant investment it makes in hosting meetings.
“In recent years we have seen the amount of money wagered increasing but revenues back to the industry have been declining, which is simply not sustainable,” Condon said.
“As a result, Racing Queensland conducted a review of its current fee structure and consulted with the wagering industry before deciding on the rate increases.
“Initial estimates show the new model will net a return of between $7 million and $8 million, which will flow back to racing industry participants across the state.”
Under the new structure the Race Information Fee Rate for fixed-price wagering models will increase to two per cent for standard meetings and three per cent for premium meetings.
The rate for derivative and bet matching products will increase to 2.5% on standard meetings and 3.5% on premium meetings.
The rate for Totalisator wagering models will remain at 1.5% for standard meetings and 2% for premium meetings.
Condon said the additional revenue would allow Racing Queensland to deliver on its commitment to improve returns for participants and provide a more compelling racing product.
“The racing industry in Queensland is going through a period of transition at the moment, which should give our participants the confidence that we have a sustainable future ahead of us,” Condon said.
“Increased revenue to the industry means better outcomes for participants and gives us the ability to further invest in improving infrastructure and our racing product.”
WHO CARES IF BETFAIR IS NOT HAPPY? ‘WE DON’T NEED THEM IN THIS COUNTRY’
BUT surprise, surprise – Betfair is not happy!
Betfair CEO Giles Thompson says the decision by RQ to increase product fees will have an ‘adverse commercial impact’ on Betfair.
“Racing Queensland has, without explanation, priced high-margin totalisator and fixed odds bet types significantly more favourably than the betting exchange,” Thompson said.
“The new fee will equate to an upfront cost of 60 per cent of Betfair's revenue on Queensland racing while the recently-announced Tatts deal with Racing Queensland only requires that operator to pay 39 per cent of revenue to the racing industry whilst benefitting from retail and advertising monopoly.”
Betfair should be reminded that racing boomed in this state and in this country long before it came to our shores.
Betfair and the corporate bookies are the ruination of racing both overseas and here, according to those who have witnessed or have been associated with the industry overseas.
For Betfair and Co it is now a case of pay up or pack up.
And its then up to the Government to strictly enforce the prohibition of off shore wagering on Australian racing.
OAK PARK NEEDS TO ‘LIFT ITS ACT’ AND PROVIDES RESULTS LIKE OTHER CLUBS
ON Friday there were nine race meetings in country Queensland.
All but Oak Park had results published on RISA, the national racing website, and the Racing Queensland website published Ipswich only.
They were still not posted on the websites on Monday.
On Saturday there were 18 meetings nationwide and eight in Queensland. All results appeared, except Oak Park, which finally went up on Sunday.
If Oak Park wishes to rely on racing funds to stage its meeting it must become more professional. Not everyone can make it to the track but that doesn’t mean they don’t share an interest.
If tiny whistle-stops like Wean (NSW) and Stamford can arrange to have their results known, surely Oak Park can as well.
And from all accounts the racing surface was like a bitumen road. At least one prominent jockey has vowed he won’t be going back.
But the partying was up to previous standards and supporters of the Olivia Cairns stable (five wins over two days) led the way.
WAS RUDOLPH LEFT ‘RED FACED’ AFTER HIS ‘OVER THE TOP’ FINE?
RACING NSW Acting Chief steward Greg Rudolph, standing in for father-in-law Ray Murrihy (said to be on pre-retirement leave) went way over the top when he fined young apprentice Claire Nutman a hefty $500 for the ‘heinous crime’ of texting her boyfriend before and after riding Sheer Style at Rosehill on Saturday.
Stewards found Nutman’s iPhone had been used to text her partner after a ‘random’ search.
“I don’t know what got into your head,” Rudolph said. “We expect a level of professionalism if you want to ride in the city.”
The apprentice had simply asked her boyfriend if she’d ‘done anything wrong’ after riding Sheer Style which led and weakened to finish fifth.
“We’ll tell you if you’ve done anything wrong,” Rudolph said.
Really - you might well ask?
It would have been a different story if she had been sending out a bit of ‘late mail’ or even having a bet.
But quite clearly that was not the case. She might have been simply looking for a little confidence booster – and it ended up quite the opposite.
And by the way who will be Murrihy’s successor in the Harbor City? Could it be an Aussie now based in the Far East who is said to have fallen out with his one-time friend and boss?
That’s the rumour!
FAVORITES FOR THE BIG TOWNSVILLE DOUBLE EMERGE FROM SUNDAY RACING
TOWNSVILLE racing on Sunday produced the two favourites for the big winter carnival double on July 26 with superlative wins by Mt Isa sprinter Le Cap and home town idol Ladrotto.
The duo will now head straight for the Cleveland Bay and Townsville Cup respectively. And are already being hailed as the winners.
Le Cap, a former Brisbane galloper, was simply brilliant defeating another westerner Albertique and is certain to be at cramped odds for the Cleveland Bay.
Ladrotto, last year’s Cleveland Bay winner, edged closer towards his new goal – the Townsville Cup – with a powerful win in the J. S. Love Memorial, which has been a great guide to Cup winners in the past.
His greatest problem will be weight. Ladrotto lumped 60.5kg on Saturday.
What next?
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB CEO DENIES RUMOURS HE IS MOVING INTERSTATE
WINTE R Carnival fever is spreading fast in Townsville with marquees almost sold out and tickets moving incredibly fast according to the TTC CEO Michael Charge who this week was furiously denying rumours he was off to greener pastures – interstate.
“Not true. Just a vicious rumour,” he said after being spotted collecting baggage at the airport on Thursday after a brief absence.
The mercurial Glen Boss, who was a big hit with the crowd when last in town, will ride on July 24, attend and officiate at the Calcutta lunch at the RSL on Friday and ‘probably’ ride on Cup day. It will depend on commitments that day in Melbourne.
Robert Thompson will be back however and riding both days. The old master with 4000 wins on the board and riding as well as ever said he ‘wouldn’t miss it for quids.’
There’s a line up of other high profile guests including popular ex international jockey Wayne Harris and renowned bone cracker Michael Bryant to witness the last running of a Townsville Cup on the well-worn Cluden dirt.
Next year the Cup will be run on the new StrathAyr track.
Bring it on!
COLUMN COURTESY OF TERRY BUTTS AND THE NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, one of Australia's leading rural newspapers.
TERRY BUTTS can be contacted by e-mailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
