IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer TERRY BUTTS questions whether the amalgamation of three major bodies into Racing Australia is nothing more than a band aid cure.

He also poses a question being asked by a lot of others in racing concerning what will be reaction of the Australian Racing Board to the much harsher penalty imposed on a Kiwi jockey for betting to that received by Damien Oliver.

Here is the Butts’ column:

IS RACING AUSTRALIA A BAND AID FIX WITH LITTLE CONFIDENCE IN ARB?

THERE is just a hint of scepticism over the merger of Australian Racing Board (ARB), Racing Information Services Australia (RISA) and the Australian Stud Book (ASB) to form a new national body to be known as ‘Racing Australia’.

Racing is already in a deep quandary – but many with a vested interest might wonder if is this a way out?

Some believe there are more important issues facing an industry that is hurting – and in real fear of becoming a past-time for the elite like it is and always has been (to its detriment) in the UK.

Some of the decisions being made today are not in the best interest of racing. They favour some – certainly not all – and there are doubts whether the ARB in its current form and on its performance to date, is the right vehicle to steer us out of the mire.

The ASB has been acquired from its joint owners, the VRC and Australian Turf Club (ATC), by RISA as a prelude to its integration with Racing Australia. The consolidation of the data bases of the ASB and RISA will significantly enhance integrity as well as lead to greater efficiencies and cost savings to the industry, according to one report.

We can only hope!

WILL IT MEAN RACING HAS ONE BIG ‘USELESS’ BODY RATHER THAN SEVERAL?

WILL this new body, for instance, insist on charging for information from the files of the Australian Stud Book – as has been the case in recent years?

And RISA – launched as the greatest thing since sliced bread for licensees – is already renowned for its shortcomings and mistakes.

Will it become more efficient in such a significant merger or just another racing quango?

Licensees and stewards can only hope.

ARB boss John Messara said that the ‘Stud Book would retain its unique identity’.

The legal and financial steps needed to establish Racing Australia will be progressively implemented over coming months with an official commencement date for the new entity set for March, 2015.

In the meantime, it will be business as usual for the three organizations as IT and management systems are integrated and cost savings identified.

“Bringing the registries, information and rules under the one umbrella makes perfect sense,” RISA Chairman Charles Macek said.

What would make ‘more perfect sense’ for the future of racing would be a merger of all state off course betting agencies into a National Tote.

But that probably makes ‘too much sense’.

NO LIKE ARB INTEREST IN NEW ZEALAND DECISION AFTER DAMIEN OLIVER FIASCO  

TALKING of the Australian Racing Board – we wonder if the decision by New Zealand stewards to disqualify a jockey for seven years after he pleaded guilty to having a bet in a race in which he participated, might get a mention at the next meeting?

Probably not!

But whenever this case is considered and compared to the Damien Oliver fiasco last year, the ARB must surely realise the extent of damage that was done to the integrity of racing in this country.

Australia received, and is still receiving worldwide condemnation, in spite of what Robbie Waterhouse had to say recently in support of the powder puff penalty imposed on a jockey who placed $10,000 on the favourite in a race in which he rode the second favourite. You don’t have to be told who won.

And to repeat the observation of Mr Waterhouse: ‘They got him because he (Oliver) pleaded guilty’.

ANOTHER QTIS EMBARRASSMENT WITH RQ CONCEDING ‘IT WASN’T A GOOD LOOK’

SUBSCRIBERS and supporters of the QTIS scheme were not generally impressed with what transpired last Thursday at Mackay when only four horses contested a $21,000 QTIS three-year-old event.

Many claim the race should have been abandoned (and QTIS bonus saved) when only three nominated.

There were four late nominations, sufficient under current terms and conditions for the race to go ahead – with the bonus.

But at acceptance time three were withdrawn which left a field of four.

Stewards held an inquiry and accepted explanations of trainers of the three withdrawals.

But RQ conceded: “It was not a good look”.

Stand by for the adoption of more stringent conditions to ensure all future QTIS races have the desired number of starters to qualify for the bonus.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO EWAN FOR ONE OF THE LAST OF THE GRASS FED FEATURES

ALL roads (well, there’s really only three) lead to Ewan this weekend for the annual two days of  partying and punting at one of the last (but arguably the best ) two-day grass fed meetings in the country.

Just how long it will continue a grass fed fixture will probably be known after the AGM at the weekend. No doubt this rather contentious issue will be discussed – as it is at every Ewan committee meeting.

According to one insider “It’s not a matter of whether the club will revert to corn fed racing – it is when”.

But the current Chairman, David Woodhouse, who rode his first winner as a schoolboy at Ewan as an amateur, will not surrender easily to the persistent urgings of others who believe it is time for change.

There is a lot of tradition involved with the Woodhouse family and Ewan.

RACEGOERS CAN CRUISE TO THE COOKTOWN CUP MEETING FROM CAIRNS

MEANWHILE, way up north, Cooktown is preparing for its big Cup meeting on November 8 – the same day incidentally as the Prairie Cup meeting.

Cooktown no doubt will attract the Cairns and Tableland horses and jockeys and this year will provide a novel way of getting on track.

 A special cruise from Cairns to the Cooktown races departs on Saturday morning and returns around 8pm after a smorgasbord dinner on board and entertainment that includes a dance band.

On the three-hour cruise to the races, colourful commentator Bluey Forsythe will conduct a Calcutta and preview the day’s races.

It is a full day and certain to sort out the stayers on board.

It surely beats driving home through the Daintree and win, lose or draw, it’s all for a good cause with proceeds being directed to the MS Society of Cairns.

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.