IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer, TERRY BUTTS, questions how a so-called track ‘expert’ from RQ could get it so wrong with the Home Hill track and why Brisbane is allowed to dictate to stewards in the north.
Butts also reveals how tensions are running high among trainers over the Hendra Virus vaccination program and reports on suggestions that TABCORP is looking to takeover the wagering arm of Tatts.
Here is the Butts’ column:
‘OH SHUCKS’ – THE TRACK THAT MADE A ‘GOOSE’ OF THE SO-CALLED ‘EXPERT’ FROM RQ
WHO was the Racing Queensland track ‘expert’ who proclaimed that the Home Hill track is superior, had a better surface, and provided less track bias than Innisfail.
Inexplicably, it was a member of an RQ panel that decided on which club to transfer some of the Townsville race dates.
And he gave Home Hill the nod over Innisfail – for the reasons stated.
Unbelievable as it may seem, he obviously didn’t speak to one single jockey who might have ridden on both tracks.
No one must doubt the outstanding efforts of the Home Hill committee.
It is not their fault that their racecourse doesn’t have all the equipment and water to keep it in a condition that punters betting all over Australia on a TAB meeting expect and demand.
It is not the committee’s fault that the track is really best suited to speedy horses that can be in the first three – preferably in front – and that it cannot cater safely for large fields that TAB meetings, because of the increased prize-money, often attract.
And, of course, it is always easier when armed with hindsight.
But following the race meeting at Home Hill last Saturday it is no surprise that there is now a move to have Innisfail’s Pease Park the preferred alternative.
“The meetings should be shared between Cairns, Mackay and Innisfail,” said one highly placed official.
And many agree.
HOW CAN SOME ‘EXPERT’ SITTING IN BRISBANE DICTATE WHAT STEWARDS DO IN NORTH?
HOW can someone sitting in Brisbane dictate to stewards on the subject of safety and suitability of racetracks in the north?
Well, simply, it shouldn’t happen.
Safety and the conduct of racing is surely the domain of stipendiary stewards. It should be their decision where and when to race.
Senior jockey Graham Kliese escaped very serious injury when the horse he was riding, Fundido, suddenly faltered and crashed to the ground in the middle stages of the final race on Saturday. He suffered a hairline fracture of the pelvis that is certain to keep him out of the saddle for several weeks.
Of course, such a fall can happen anywhere, and we might know more after an inquiry into the incident.
It looked awfully bad on national Sky 1 television – as well as to those on track. But miraculously and thankfully Kliese escaped more serious injury.
The horse was put down.
According to stewards it suffered a fracture of its near side joint.
Many believed Home Hill was not the ideal TAB race day venue, and that opinion will probably be reinforced after Saturday’s racing that saw unquestionable bias for horses racing in or near the lead in most races.
One jockey told a trainer (for whom he rode) that he would never ride on the track again. “It is full of holes,” he said.
Further, the turnover on the first four races on Saturday was very poor. Punters stayed away in droves.
However turnover rose considerably for the last two races – but they were shown on SKY 1. The earlier events were restricted to SKY 2.
Surprised?
The next Townsville meeting is scheduled for Home Hill on April 26.
That might change.
HENDRA VIRUS VACCINATION PROGRAM SET TO EXPLODE IN NORTH
BUT the issue of suitable TAB racetracks is only one problem facing the local industry.
The Hendra virus vaccination program is set to explode with some leading trainers, particularly in Central Queensland, simply refusing to have their horses vaccinated.
In Townsville veterinary surgeons are refusing to treat horses that have not been inoculated.
Recently stewards requested the on-course vet examine a horse after a poor run at Cluden. The vet refused – because it hadn’t been inoculated.
The Charters Towers-based trainer took the horse home and it actually won at its next start.
But down in Rockhampton the vets have a different view. One leading local trainer refuses point blank to vaccinate his large string after two of potential stars became ill after their second injection and completely ‘lost’ all of their ability.
He tells of another trainer who had two of his horses die after their second injection.
The vets in Rockhampton have not imposed a ban on treating horses that haven’t been vaccinated.
“Ï don’t think we know enough about it (vaccine) yet,” the trainer said.
At this Racing Queensland has not made it mandatory for all horses to have the vaccination – but is working on it, according to CEO Darren Condon.
What about the visiting interstate and NZ horses?
Will trainers be willing to inoculate their horses that are in peak fitness when they arrive in Brisbane? I doubt it.
Racing Victoria is about to announce that any horse that comes to Queensland to campaign and spells then for the winter – as is common – then must be vaccinated before it returns to Victoria.
It has also been suggested that the vaccination of horses against the deadly disease should begin before horses are sold as yearlings.
That scenario might be worth some thought.
TABCORP TAKEOVER OF TATTSBET WAGERING ARM – ONE CAN ONLY HOPE SO!
THERE is a rumour doing the rounds that TABCORP is negotiating to take over the wagering arm of Tatts – or is it UBet?
Tattsbet trails dismally behind the might of TABCORP which, of course, incorporates both NSW and Victorian totes.
If they were to take over the wagering arm of Tatts we would be almost a national one tote.
And that’s what is needed to take on – or offer some resistance at least – to the all-conquering invasion of the cane toads aka corporates.
Interesting!
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..
