It’s an e-mail box full to the brim this week with concerns over the departure of a respected Price Assessor and the Queensland Racing response; the early word on the Civil Action in the Supreme Court over the QR Board elections; two varying opinions about removal of privileges to two fine ladies of the turf; a QR response to the lack of scanners in the north; reports of an animal cruelty investigation involving a leading lady trainer; the return north of ‘Big Trev,’ a popular guy in racing radio;and a new tipster proves popular with Brisbane punters. .
GREG HONCHIN HAS HIS SAY ABOUT THE QUEENSLAND TURF CLUB
WE received this letter from Greg Honchin, a long-time employee of the old Queensland Turf Club, who was then forced to transfer to a key role with the new Queensland Principal Club when it was established.
Mr Honchin later parted company in controversial circumstances with the QPC through no fault of his own and says that he has been ‘snubbed’ by the QTC despite giving them years of loyal service and by an industry that ‘treats those on the outer like lepers.’
BALLARD ENJOYING RIDING TOO MUCH TO CONTEMPLATE RETIREMENT
WHEN Mt Isa jockey Keith Ballard turned 50 he vowed he would not retire from race riding until he had won the Birdsville Cup or had ridden 1500 winners. That was August six years ago.
Two weeks ago at Richmond, on an unfancied reject named Catbird Khan, the doyen of jockeys in the Central West notched his 1500 milestone. And just a few weeks earlier he snared his first Birdsville Cup.
Read more: LEGENDARY Queensland bush jockey lands his 1500th winner
The e-mail box this week was dominated by complaints about a ‘dust problem’ for race-goers at Eagle Farm; the need for scanners to check micro-chipping of horses in the north; bouquets for the stewards for their follow-up reports; questions why an alleged ‘cat fight’ between licensees was not reported; serious claims about an alleged failed investment made by a TAB club; and the final say on the GCTC elections from an angry chairman, Hoss Heinrich.
PLENTY OF COMPETITION FOR THE BONUS MONEY AMONG DEBUTANTES
THE acceptances released today by Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) for the first metropolitan two-year-old races of the season this weekend outline the success of the QTIS 600 scheme.
There is plenty of competition for the bonus prizemoney with 22 of the 42 acceptors for the two races being eligible for the additional $30,000 QTIS 600 bonus.
Read more: QTIS 600 Scheme Boosts Two-Year-Old fields in Brisbane
CHRIS MCIVOR OFF THE FLYING START IN SERIES OPENER IN WA
QUEENSLAND apprentice jockey, Chris McIver, got away to a flying start in the National Apprentice Series Challenge at Belmont in Western Australia on Wednesday.
McIvor, 22, led throughout on Delta Bay, $6.40, after jumping from barrier 12. Apprentices from Victoria and Western Australia claimed the minor placings in the 1400m, which carried prizemoney of $40,000.
Read more: QUEENSLANDER wins first leg of National Apprentice Series
Annual general meetings were the flavor of the week in the e-mail box with plenty of responses to Peter Bredhauer’s support for Neville Stewart and attack on The Courier-Mail at the AGM in Toowoomba. There was a stack of e-mails concerning the up-coming bitter election battle for the Gold Coast Turf Club committee. The majority were unfortunately ‘too hot to handle.’ There is an interesting photo of a controversial dead-heat at Ewan where the grass fed future of the meeting could be in doubt. E-mail writers were also complaining again about the lack of policing of Brisbane races and about the effect that Daylight Savings in the south has on a day at the races in Queensland.
TBQA WARNS INDUSTRY AGAINST DISEASE COMPLACENCY
THOROUGHBRED Breeders Queensland Association has organized an important seminar to discuss all aspects of the deadly Hendry virus, which will be held at the University of Queensland Campus at Gatton on Sunday, October 25.
TBQA president, Bob Frappell, today warned the industry not to be complacent, unwise or misinformed and to make the time to attend the seminar when the agenda will cover everything that is known about the disease.
Read more: IMPORTANT Seminar on Hendra Virus at Gatton on October 25
QTIS 600 SALE HAILED A MAJOR SUCCESS IN NORTH QUEENSLAND
The inaugural QTIS 600 Sale has been hailed an instant success in North Queensland with nine of the 14 acceptances from the historical Pallarenda Stakes in Townsville next Tuesday, October 6, purchased at the Magic Millions QTIS 600 Sale on the Gold Coast in March.
Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) initiated the QTIS 600 scheme during the 2008/09 financial year and backed this incentive scheme with an extensive marketing and promotional campaign throughout Queensland.
Read more: NINE sale graduates in Pallarenda Stakes in Townsville
TBQA PRESIDENT ACCUSES SOUTHERN STUDS OF OVER-REACTION
QUEENSLAND breeders invest thousands of dollars each year in reproduction with the hope of big returns in the sales ring or racetrack.But those interested in the prestigious Hunter Valley sires have hit a hurdle.
Darley Stud is demanding mares be subjected to a $100 test for Hendra Virus before they're allowed on the property, while a number of other studs won't allow Queensland mares to stay overnight.
Read more: QUEENSLAND mares subject to Hendra Virus test by southern studs