THE WEDNESDAY WHINGE has a new look but won’t be dispensing with some of our old favorites and will continue to focus on THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY side of what has happened in racing over the past week. Our old mate ‘Godfrey Smith’ is back by popular demand and again pens his ‘Gripe of the Racing Week’. The Whinge will also include an opportunity for The Cynics to Have Their Say. Thanks again for your support for the most read column on this website. Our popularity continues to grow despite the bagging it is copping from one over-rated official and his cronies.
RACING IN QUEENSLAND SUFFERS SAD LOSS OF TWO INDUSTRY ICONS 
OUR E-MAIL OF THE WEEK – a contribution from former high profile racing media identity and now a respected bloodstock agent on the Darling Downs in PETER BREDHAUER of CAMBOOYA.
‘IT was with sadness that racing in Queensland lost two industry icons in the last week with the passing of Rob Atkinson from the breeding sector and Larry Pratt from the race calling/turf journalism area.
Rob was a walking encyclopedia on breeding. You could tell him the name of a horse and he could recite its pedigree right back to the Darley Arabian.
His knowledge was sought by leading studs throughout Australia and the world. He was also the breeding expert for many years on Del Fitton’s bus tours of studs on the Darling Downs and South East Queensland.
A true ‘gentleman,’ Rob kept many a bus load of tourists enthralled with his knowledge of racing and breeding and to the ‘right nicks’ that would suit many stallions throughout Australia.
The Atkinson family was also renowned as the founders of the Droughtmaster breed of cattle, which are now the nucleus of many breeding herds throughout Australia and the world.
Larry was best known in race-calling circles as ‘the accurate one’.
When the late Keith Noud or Vince Curry found a photo finish too close to call we all immediately switched to the ABC to see what Larry had gone for in a tight finish.
Before the days of newspapers and modern electronic media it was a must for all country people interested in racing to tune into Larry on the ABC at 3pm every Thursday to get the final fields for metropolitian racing that coming Saturday.
I was at a Bernborough Club luncheon about 25 years ago. The special guest speaker was to be controversial author Kevin Perkins just after he had written his best-selling book, The Gambling Man.
With widespread concerns about the corruption in racing in Queensland at the time and alleged links between a high profile media identity and a big betting underworld figure, the lunch was a sell-out. Most wanted to hear what Perkins had to say concerning those chapters of his book that were being challenged legally.
Unfortunately, the powers that be felt things might get a bit too hot – or embarrassing for some mates in the industry – so they took 11th hour steps to have Perkins removed as guest speaker and barred from attending.
The late Jim Anderson had to call in Larry Pratt as a capable last minute substitute to replace the special guest speaker.
I will never forget his opening words to the audience concerning the behind-the-scenes hullabaloo: “If you are a corrupt journalist and the cap fits you have to wear it for life.”
It was an honor to have known both Rob Atkinson and Larry Pratt and I admired their contribution to the racing industry. They will be sadly missed.”
DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND GODREY RETURNS WITH HIS LOOK BACK AT THE RACING WEEK 
AFTER listening to your feedback we are continuing to change the style and format of the most read feature on this website – the Wednesday Whinge.
We have enticed our old mate ‘Godfrey Smith’ out of retirement and each Wednesday the Whinge will be spearheaded by ‘Godfrey’s Gripe of the Week’. Some will not agree with his ‘tongue in cheek’ views on everything racing but love him or hate him – you’ll want to read what he has to say.
Here is his latest contribution:
TAB WINDFALL FOR RACING IN QUEENSLAND WILL ONLY WORK IF DISTRIBUTED RATIONALLY 
‘AT long last an objective journalist who has been prepared to ask the tough questions – a rarity in the Queensland media – when Daniel Meers did an informative interview with the Racing Minister for The Sunday Mail.
Steve Dickson provided his answers (some of them a shade obscure) to questions that many in the racing industry have been asking for months but it seems no-one in the mainstream racing media was prepared to ask.
Dickson set about explaining the decision to ignore the recommendation of the recent Commission of Inquiry, ordered by his Government at a cost of many millions, not to stand aside his good mate Kevin Dixon as Chairman of the All Codes Board in favor of an independent.
Meers asked: “At an RQ Board level there will be fights over what percentage of the pie dogs and trots get. It’s been made clear this is a deal which you and Kevin Dixon are broking. Are you confident the remainder of the Board is as informed as it should be?”
Answer from the Minister: “I have no hesitation. I know the issue with Kevin being on the thoroughbred board. It’s like the battle of the Coral Sea. The American ship is sailing to the Japanese fleet, you don’t go changing captains. There is no option but to win. To not have confidence would be the last message I would send. They knock heads occasionally, which I like. I gave clear riding orders to all boards. You need to put the industry 100 per cent at the forefront of your mind and if you don’t, and you let us down as an industry, I will fire you.”
With all due respects (I could mention Pearl Harbor in reference to his war theme), my mail is that the Minister was being a shade cute with his answer and suggesting he is putting his job on the line on the outcome of the TAB agreement because he knows it has to work or the Tattersall’s share price will go down the chute and so will the big Government cut from racing revenue.
Forget all the rhetoric and the court battle that is looming, Tatts call ill-afford to lose this contract. Their share price would fall through the floor. It wouldn’t look good for the new CEO who is at the front-line of the negotiations.
We keep hearing all this propaganda about the massive job being done by the two Dickos single-handedly negotiating this great deal and of the pot of gold that lies at the end of the racing rainbow for the three codes when it is finalized.
But the fact remains that they are getting plenty of help behind the scenes and when the industry is called on by their mates in the media to do everything but induct them into the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame for the great result they have achieved, letsgohorseracing will be telling you about the unsung behind the scenes heroes.
Racing in Queensland is destined for a major financial windfall. It will move them much closer to the southern states in prizemoney distributed. But therein lies the major problem for the industry in the north.
There are far more clubs to distribute it among in Queensland, compared to NSW in particular, which means the individual slice of the cake will be less. Harness racing has far too much political clout and the thoroughbreds can rightly fear will get more than its entitlement. More than likely greyhounds will get less than they deserve.
My mail is that the amount of money being talked about in the new Product Fee deal will move Queensland within reach of NSW prizemoney-wise (hence the statement by the Minister that we can come from a furlong behind).
But unless the number of thoroughbred clubs is reduced in Queensland – and that isn’t likely to happen with the National Party influence on Government decision making – then the across the board stakes increases will suffer.
The Racing Minister protected his behind when asked by The Sunday Mail: “There’s a perception this deal will bring wholesale prizemoney boosts. The mail is the deal isn’t quite at that level. Do people need to lower their expectations?”
To which Steve Dickson replied: “People need to understand Queensland is a big state with 135 race clubs. We are not NSW and not Victoria. If we went down the path of NSW and Victoria we would have a whole lot less race clubs and I don’t think that is the desired outcome for everyone in racing. The outcome is to up prizemoney to what is sustainable.”
But then he went about talking like a dog chasing its tail with the assertion: “I don’t know what that magic number is going to be but my goal has always been to bring the industry up to speed with NSW and Victoria to make us competitive. That’s all the industry wants. Let’s not forget it’s not all about thoroughbreds. It’s about harness and greyhound racing as well.”
Sorry Minister but you can’t have it both ways. If we have too many clubs then we can’t be competitive with NSW and Victoria which have less drawing on their prizemoney pool.
And as for the trots and dogs, if the gallops aren’t super successful then they will certainly fail. They should not be given more than their return to the industry warrants.
In conclusion – and this will keep for an upcoming column – what the racing industry really needs to know about the on-going negotiations with Tattersalls is this:
ARE the brains behind the discussions entirely those of the RQ Chairman or his mate the Racing Minister – or are they getting plenty of advice from a tough negotiating racing identity who we are told is the one who has really laid the platform for the ‘big pay day for the stakeholders’ of all three codes?
TATTS can ill-afford to lose the TAB contract with RQ or have it down-graded. Their share price would fall through the floor and another King Kev wouldn’t like that. Most believe the court case is just an exercise in politics and is being used by both parties as a bartering tool.
At the end of the day Queensland will emerge with major prizemoney increases and the two ‘Dickos’ will get all the credit in the mainstream racing media. But rest assured they are getting plenty of help from the sidelines and the success of this windfall will rest entirely on how it is distributed and who gets the biggest slice of the Dixieland Pie.
IN conclusion this week I want to pay my respects to an old work-mate and a long-time friend.
Racing in Queensland lost one of its true characters and a real gentleman at the weekend with the sudden death of Larry Pratt.
Larry, who died on Saturday of heart surgery complications, was 78.
For several memorable years I sat alongside him working in the Turf Section of The Telegraph when the late Keith Noud was Racing Editor and Rod Gallegos his deputy.
These were unforgettable times when John Morton was the Sports Editor and Larry would work churning out stories and form for the Telegraph most days of the week then call the races in Brisbane on Saturday for the ABC where he became a legend in many households.
Long before Sky Channel revolutionized the way punters watched racing Larry was their eyes and ears. He worked during a vintage era with broadcasters like Vince Curry and Keith Noud calling beside him. I commend to you a great read of an interview that Phil Purser did for his website. It can be read on www.justracing.com.au.
In racing and the media in Queensland you eventually learn who your real mates are and for me Larry was unconditionally one of mine for as long as I can remember and I will never forget him.
His behind-the-scenes help, encouragement and support when times were tough, touched more people than most in racing will ever imagine and he will never be forgotten – but that’s another story that Larry would not want me to tell.
RIP old mate.
THE EAST COAST SCENE
VICTORIA
RACING VICTORIA CONTINUES TO LEAD THE WAY WHEN IT COMES TO INTEGRITY 
THE ‘you know what’ has well and truly hit the fan over the requirement for trainers to supply the keys to their stables and provide unimpeded access during random visits by stewards as a way of countering race day treatment of horses.
Champion trainer Peter Moody has quit the Australian Trainers’ Association in protest at the latest integrity measure declaring the measure a personal insult.
“I actually feel like a criminal,” he told Radio Sport National on Tuesday. “I feel they are looking at me as a cheat and (saying) ‘we’re going to catch you’.”
Moody resigned from the ATA committee because he felt the organization put RV’s interests ahead of the needs of its members. “I believe they are representing RVL and not the trainers but that’s my personal view,” Moody said.
The Caulfield-based Moody said chief steward Terry Bailey told him he was the only trainer to complain about the integrity initiative.
Moody said giving the stewards unrestricted access to his stable could lead to an abuse of power.
“Do I need to put security cameras up to watch the stewards come into my stables?” Moody asked. “The stewards say they are only going to come in when people are present. How do I know that?”
EDITOR’S NOTE: WE received several emails on this topic and none favored the Moody stance. Some did question if such a stance would ever happen in Queensland where they claimed stewards were too up closed and friendly with licensees.
Here is an example of the feelings of some in the industry in Victoria:
‘IF there is one issue that sticks out like ‘dog’s pills’ it is that Moody, by his very action of resigning from the ATA, showed there was consultation between the RV stewards and the ATA.
If there wasn’t any consultation then why did Moody resign his position as a member on the Committee?
Obviously the Executive of the ATA had the bigger picture in mind by wanting to make sure it was a level playing field for every one of their members in Victoria.
I’ll bet Lloyd Williams hasn’t kicked up a stink like Moody has.
I will go even further and put my over-draft on it that Lloyd sent his key in by way of a chauffeur driven car.
QUEENSLAND
HALL OF FAME INDUCTION A SUGGESTED REWARD FOR BROKERING NEW TAB DEAL? 
SUGGESTIONS that the new Chairman of ‘Everything Racing’ in Queensland will be inducted in the Hall of Fame after the new TAB deal is announced has caused quite a hullabaloo in some sections of the industry.
There are those who haven’t forgotten the controversy created when former RQ Chairman Bob Bentley received similar recognition some years back on the recommendation of his own Board.
Here’s an example of the responses we have received at the Wednesday Whinge to a column item written by Terry Butts in ‘Silks & Saddles’ this week:
‘TERRY Butts has heard the rumors sweeping the industry and what a joke these are.
The suggestion is strong that as a reward for the ‘hard work’ that he and Racing Minister Steve Dickson have done on the new TAB deal that Kevin Dixon should be inducted into the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame.
Some of the same people who are pushing this proposal – including his great buddy who jumped ship from the Bentley band-wagon – were the first to choke on the idea of Bob Bentley receiving the same recognition during his era.
And no doubt the Racing Minister will support the idea which will amplify the hypocrisy. Remember the long-winded statement to Parliament by then Shadow Racing Minister Ray Stevens over the Bentley induction.
In case you have forgotten here is part of what ‘Razor’ had to say on the issue back then:
‘The Bligh Labor Government and the ‘Minister Not Responsible for Racing’, Mr Peter Lawlor, have signaled their clear and unambiguous disdain for racing in Queensland by allowing the Chairman of Racing Queensland, Mr Bob Bentley, to be allocated a place in the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame on a recommendation from his own Bentley controlled board.
This demeans the wonderful efforts and contributions made by horses, jockeys and trainers in Queensland over many years by elevating this non-elected, dictatorial racing official to their glorified status.
We now have Bentley sitting on the same level of preeminence in racing as Gunsynd, Bruce McLachlan, Mick Dittman and George Moore. As they said on the national Racing Retro program last Sunday, the next thing you know, Bob Bentley will win horse of the year.
Minister Lawlor has to be kidding. We know he has wiped his hands of racing and is happy for Bentley to be the Labor fall guy for racing’s woes, but this self-indulgent grandstanding on the recommendation of Bentley’s Board and not by the normal process of stakeholder nomination is beyond the belief of the racing industry.
Minister Lawlor has presided over the greatest insult to Queensland racing and has turned what was an outstanding tribute to Queensland’s racing heroes into the Bentley Board hall of infamy.’
What more can I say on the subject – except that the more things change in racing in Queensland, the more they stay the same. Giddy-up little King Kev.’
NEW SOUTH WALES
SYDNEY RACING ABOUT TO VENTURE INTO ‘GREAT UNKNOWN’ WITH THE CHAMPIONSHIPS 
THE moment of truth has arrived for the much hyped The Championships as the spotlight of Australian racing focuses on Sydney over the next fortnight.
Emails that we have received suggest that many south of the New South Wales border would like to see this new concept fail while proud locals insist it is the boost that Sydney racing needs right now. Time will tell.
Here is a story which probably sums up the situation perfectly by ANDREW WEBSTER in the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
HUNTER S. Thompson famously wrote that the Kentucky Derby is decadent and depraved.
That was in 1970. Yet the mayhem, from the heaving infield to the sight of Playboy bunnies, hasn't abated, according to those who have recently attended Churchill Downs.
Royal Ascot is about pomp, ceremony and pageantry. And the Queen, who is said to adore her racing as much as the desperates at the Bondi Junction TAB on Wednesdays.
The Hong Kong International carnival isn’t about celebrities and fashion, but world-class racing and enormous betting turnover from obsessive Asian punters.
The Melbourne Cup carnival is all things to all men, women and children, and it shoehorns enormous crowds into an enormous track, becoming a blur of Home and Away stars, fake tans of varying quality, men in cheap suits, white shoes with matching belts, and inappropriate activity in the car park, which people will gladly pay to enter even if they never see a race.
On the eve of the most important two Saturdays in Sydney racing in recent memory, the great unknown is what type of personality and character The Championships at Royal Randwick will have.
Given the $18.2 million in prizemoney on offer - with about $13 million coming directly from the NSW government - the expectation is that it should be a raging success regardless of whether it is for the serious punter or the professional clotheshorse.
On Monday, decadent trophies for the ‘grand final of racing’ were unveiled: a unique design from luxury Australian jeweller Nicola Cerrone featuring a horse made of “emeralds, with pink Argyle diamond eyes and black diamonds on its mane and hooves”.
“Hold it like it’s an Academy Award, or a Logie,” enthused The Championships chief executive Ian Mackay.
Offered Racing NSW chairman John Messara, the driving influence of the two-day carnival: “They’re very Sydney.”
In many respects, this is what the next two Saturdays need to be: very Sydney.
Melbourne can have the quantity. Sydney’s point of difference needs to be the quality.
There is no hope in hell - or the Sydney equivalent of Parramatta Road for those who braved Saturday traffic to get to Rosehill for the Golden Slipper - that Sin City can replicate Victoria’s Spring Carnival.
Its best hope is to create a carnival with an entirely different feel: of class and elegance, with the country’s best two programs of quality racing, if not the fanciest trophies.
This Saturday, punters will watch the Doncaster, the TJ Smith, the Australian Derby and the Ingis Sires, having watched the best sprinters, milers and three-year-olds in the land contest $8.5 million in prizemoney, and there is every chance they will be left thinking: What just happened?
The following Saturday, there are six group 1s, with the Queen Elizabeth Stakes worth $4 million the centrepiece.
Of course, the stunning fillies and the colts who desire them in the marquees and new-ish grandstand couldn’t really care less about the millions on offer on the track, let alone the fact that two quality international gallopers in Hana’s Goal and Gordon Lord Byron will be on display.
Just how many of them turn up will the barometer for the carnival’s success.
Randwick - or Alison Road for that matter - cannot accommodate crowds of more than 80,0000, which Flemington easily attracts during its Cup carnival.
The number being thrown around thus far is 30,000 a day, for the next two Saturday meetings.
Last year, Randwick hastily opened its incomplete $154 million grandstand and attracted a crowd of 25,000 to watch Black Caviar, in what turned out to be her last race.
Some doubt the new grandstand, and the Theatre of the Horse. Surely, they would boo Santa Claus, as Jack Gibson said of Queensland crowds during Origin matches.
If you’re not fortunate enough to jag a seat in the Chairman’s Lounge, or a suite on the fourth floor, there are general admission areas that are the equal if not better of the members’ areas at other metropolitan courses.
Much will come down to the weather - if showers are forecast for Saturday - but the doubters should hold their judgment on the success of the carnival, no matter what the outcome over the next fortnight.
The Championships were announced last November, and Messara drove hard for the carnival to be up and running this autumn instead of spending another year to attract quality international runners.
The other factor at play is that the carnival comes in the middle of the busiest month of the sporting calendar in Sydney.
Last Saturday, the Slipper competed with three games of NRL. This Saturday, the Eels-Roosters at Parramatta Stadium, and Tigers-Cowboys at Campbelltown, are vying for bums on seats.
On Saturday week, the Swans take on Fremantle in an absolute blockbuster at the SCG, starting at 4.40pm. The timing could not be worse for the ATC or Racing NSW.
It’s often said Sydney is the toughest sporting market in the world, and this is why.
While the Melbourne Cup carnival competes with A-League in November, The Championships are taking on four football codes, signature wet autumnal weather, woeful traffic, inefficient public transport...
A trophy featuring an emerald-encrusted horse as big as one that breached the walls of Troy cannot change that.
But it will still be a cracking experience for those who turn up, enjoying the races in style before departing the scene with a hair flick and then waiting an hour for cab and moving on to a wanky bar in the city.
Now that is very Sydney.
THE NARCS HAVE THEIR SAY ON CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES 
SMALL PAT ON THE BACK FOR SOME OF THE ROUGHIES SELECTED IN OUR LATE MAIL
TO get up the noses of our 'small minded' critics, we thought it was appropriate the start this section with some self indulgence a little pat on the back for our new Late Mail Subscription Service.
This was an email received from one of our newest clients (a pensioner and a Vietnam war veteran):
‘Well done on your wildcard selections on Saturday. I had $5 on each and it produced a profit of $40 on the day’.
Forty dollars might not sound a lot of win but to a battling punter it’s plenty and it’s certainly far better than losing.
It was a tough day especially with the wet track in Sydney but we fortunately found a few roughies at long prices to help off-set those ‘specials’ that got rolled.
Don’t forget our slogan: It’s unique, it’s different, it’s affordable – it’s the letsgohorseracing late mail. Check it out by clicking the banner on our home page.
WHY THE RESISTENCE TO LATE MAIL LUNCHEON AND BERNBOROUGH CLUB OPPOSITION? 
THE hugely successful Late Mail Luncheon has been embraced by racing officials, stakeholders and followers in every part of Australia – with the exception of Brisbane.
One has to question why the resistance in the north where Queensland thoroughbred racing fans are finally being offered the opportunity to mix and mingle with the 'who's who' of trainers on Friday May 9 when one of Melbourne's iconic racing events comes to town.
The inaugural Brisbane 2014 Late Mail Luncheon has invited an incredible line-up of thoroughbred trainers, celebrities and guests for a four-hour entertainment package in the Ballroom of the Sofitel Central to celebrate this years' racing carnival in Queensland.
Reports suggest that some industry heavyweights in Brisbane are doing all in their power to sabotage this wonderful event – not that they are likely to succeed with a promoter like Mark Skaife calling the shots for the Late Mail Luncheon.
The Bernborough Club, steeped in traditions from back in the days when the Queensland Turf Club ran the show in Queensland with an iron fist, has even programmed a luncheon (its second for the carnival which comes as a major surprise) to clash with the Late Mail Luncheon.
Here is one response to that and we decided not to run the section questioning a conflict of interest on the part of Bart Sinclair, the boss of the Bernborough Club, who now has some fancy consultancy position with the Brisbane Racing Club.
IF you read the Brisbane Racing Club / Brisbane Racing Carnival website the following appears on the bottom of the web page promoting events run by the Bernborough Club:
“Please note, Bernborough Club lunches are exclusive functions for gentlemen only.”
Is this what the Brisbane Racing Club is supporting and sponsoring?
Events that discriminate against women and exclude women from racing? Really – in 2014.
Little wonder Brisbane racing is regarded by many interstate as a dinosaur slowly crawling towards extinction.
Whilst not illegal, it seems ridiculous, especially when just down the road on the Gold Coast at Magic Millions they embrace women and encourage their ownership of racehorses.
Yet up in Brisbane, they discriminate and exclude women from two events like the Bernborough Club’s Stradbroke and BTC Cup Lunches.
We understand that the Late Mail Luncheon has proudly sold seats to ‘Women In Racing Inc’ – a wonderful group of ladies who enjoy and support racing.
And no doubt their husbands are happy about it – because they probably don’t have to tell fibs about: “Oh honey, I bought a little share in a .....”
The inaugural Brisbane Late Mail Luncheon – without the support of the BRC and it would seem Racing Queensland – has attracted the leading trainers in the state – and their wives, partners and friends – because it doesn't discriminate on the basis of gender.
And given that would rule out half the population, where does the Bernborough Club with its impressive claim of 300 members go in the future?
The 175-year old Melbourne Cricket Club – which changed its men-only membership policy in 1984 – is arguably the most sought-after club membership in Australia.
And it takes an estimated 68 years to become a member if recent reports are true. But at least the spouses aren’t treated like an 18th century anachronism.'
THE MINISTER’S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT RATED A JOKE BY THIS LONG-TIME PARTICIPANT 
‘OH please, tell me there was a misprint in Friday’s Courier Mail!
I thought I had seen it all during the last few years and that Racing Queensland could no longer surprise me!
Nope, I awoke to a new low on Friday morning when I opened The Courier Mail to review the fields for the weekend and saw that the most recent taxpayer-funded infrastructure project was about to become the laughing stock of Australian racing.
From memory, the taxpayers of Queensland forked out in excess of $7 million for the upgrade to the Toowoomba track, and to see fields more akin to the greyhounds (eight starters plus emergencies) on Saturday 5 April, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
How can anyone from within the Queensland Government or Racing Queensland justify $7 million of taxpayer money to deliver a venue that has field size limitations of eight starters?
As both a taxpayer and racing participant, I find this totally unacceptable.
In case you don’t believe me, and don’t think that Racing Queensland could possibly have recommended the $7 million expenditure to the Queensland Government for a track that had such serious limitations, I have provided an extract from Racing Queensland’s website highlighting the greyhound style fields at Toowoomba on Saturday.
|
No |
Last 10 |
Horse |
Trainer |
|
1 |
0337x692 |
HENNY BOY |
John A P Smith |
|
2 |
434x4x0275 |
LETS THINKABOUT IT |
David Pfieffer |
|
3 |
79x5430057 |
MATAWIN |
Michael Hemmings |
|
4 |
744 |
TRY FOUR |
Col Williamson |
|
5 |
229x6x4633 |
DELUSIVE |
Ken Waller |
|
6 |
822486x434 |
GOGERTY |
Kevin Kemp |
|
7 |
07x032 |
REFUSTRESS |
Laurie Richardson |
|
8 |
95x43446 |
LAURA’S REIGN |
Paul Nolan (Jnr) |
|
9e |
980x85 |
BUSY |
Geoff Livermore |
|
10e |
2330x20450 |
ZEROMIX |
Chris Anderson |
I have been involved in the industry for 40-plus years and cannot believe that when turnover drives revenue, that anyone in-power within Racing Queensland could possibly recommend this outcome.
The TAB talks about optimum field sizes of 12 to 14. How can you spend $7 million and end up with field sizes of eight?
Please Premier Newman, stop Racing Queensland damaging the reputation and revenue streams of this great industry before the income of myself and many others from within the industry is further eroded by this type of stupidity.
Please withhold my identity as I have no faith that Racing Queensland won't try and seek retribution for this factual assessment of this ridiculous situation.
EDITOR’S NOTE: PERHAPS the best response to this item can be made by running the column item Terry Butts wrote in ‘Silks & Saddles’ this week. It read:
MOST racing industry stakeholders in Queensland – at least those outside the metropolitan area – believe that there is little difference between the current hierarchy and the one it replaced – the Bob Bentley regime.
That is what a poll of country racing folk would clearly indicate.
“The two Boards are running parallel,” are the words of one former high profile racing administrator (with no political association whatsoever) in an email to this writer last week.
And this is underscored by the comments of Racing Minister Steve Dickson in an extensive interview with The Sunday Mail at the weekend.
When asked his biggest achievement since becoming Racing Minister he declared: Toowoomba.
Poor man!
Has he no idea what people (all voters mind you) are saying about that monstrous waste of money?
JOHNNY COME LATELY’S REASON QUEENSLAND ‘IS GOING TO THE DOGS’? 
AND here’s another email from an industry participant in Queensland who doesn’t want to be identified for fear of retribution. Keep them coming. We will always provide an anonymous and objective platform for criticism because we know how these wonderful gentlemen react to any form of criticism.
‘IT is difficult to reconcile that three Johnny Come Latelys’ can dictate what is best for the Queensland greyhound industry – Bob Bentley, Kevin Dixon and the new Editor of the Greyhound Magazine.
First Bentley terminated the F.O.L SYSTEM that was averaging less than three greyhounds suspended per month.
Secondly Dixon sits on his hands while 20 greyhounds are suspended per month under the Catching Pen system on his watch.
Surely it’s not TOO hard to halve the weekly meetings and race both systems for a 12 month trial to assess the best animal welfare system.
Now in the April Chase Magazine the Editor attempts to influence the Greyhound Board on management of greyhound complexes.
Apparently the Editor is unaware that the Gold Coast Greyhound Club was deregistered for refusing to be relocated to Cronulla Park some five years ago by Greyhounds Queensland Ltd, and this group has since, aided by the Boards of Bentley and Dixon, stagnated the Queensland greyhound industry by sabotaging all attempts to construct the Cronulla Park complex.
And besides the Brisbane Greyhound Club manages four race meetings per week and is far better funded and qualified to manage the new Cronulla Park complex.
Shouldn’t it be the Queensland Greyhound Board’s responsibility to appoint administration for any new greyhound complex, not some Johnny Come Lately?
STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED IN THE MAINSTREAM RACING MEDIA
FARCICAL SCENES AT START OF WORLD FAMOUS GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLE 
GRAND National-winning Leighton Aspell was involved in a mass jockeys' rebellion against the racecourse stewards at Aintree racecourse after Pineau De Re's 25-1 success in the Aintree marathon on Saturday.
AAP reports that all bar one of the 40 jockeys who rode in the National failed to co-operate with a stewards’ inquiry into farcical scenes at the start of the world-famous steeplechase.
Long after Pineau De Re's victory, Aspell and his weighing room colleagues staged a mutiny by refusing to hear the outcome of the inquiry into the pre-race drama.
The probe was held to find out why all but one of the 40 riders had attempted to form a line before the Grand National's official off time.
Ironically, the one jockey not involved in that action was Brendan Powell whose mount Battle Group had triggered the false start when planting his hooves and refusing to budge.
As 70,000 racegoers and a global television audience of 600 million looked on, an official false start was called when the starter's tape was broken.
The Racing Post newspaper explained on its website: "The racecourse inquiry had attempted to investigate whether the riders had lined up before being invited to do so and subsequently disobeyed the starter's instructions, additionally putting the safety of one of the starting staff at risk."
With the stewards calling the jockeys to hear their verdict, all the riders except Powell refused to leave the weighing room.
An impasse ensued, with the riders now facing punishment from British racing's ruling authority the BHA.
BHA spokesman Robin Mounsey commented: "While we regret that the jockeys refused to return to the stewards' room to allow the inquiry to be concluded, the referring of the matter to the (BHA) Disciplinary Panel will mean a rehearing and hopefully an opportunity to take this matter forward in a more constructive manner.
"It is undoubtedly a challenge to hold such an inquiry with such a number of riders in the aftermath of the Grand National."
Professional Jockeys Association chief executive Paul Struthers reported that jockeys were unhappy over "certain aspects of the conduct of the inquiry".
PROHIBITION THRESHOLD ON COBALT INTRODUCED BY RACING VICTORIA 
RACING Victoria has announced the introduction of a prohibition threshold for the substance Cobalt to prevent its potential use as an equine performance enhancer in Victorian racing.
RV has introduced a new Local Rule, effective from 14 April 2014, which states that Cobalt is a prohibited substance at a concentration of greater than 200 micrograms per litre in urine.
It will now be a breach of the rules in Victoria for horses to have Cobalt in their system, both on race day and out-of-competition, at a level above the threshold.
RV Executive General Manager – Integrity, Dayle Brown, explained that Cobalt is an endogenous substance and that an increase in levels can aid in improving a horse’s performance.
“We have credible intelligence to suggest that Cobalt poses a potential threat to both the integrity of Victorian thoroughbred racing and the welfare of our horses and by association riders,” Brown said.
“Cobalt is found naturally in horses, but at levels far less than the threshold of 200 micrograms per litre in urine which has been set taking into account expert veterinary and legal advice.
“We are of the firm belief that any horse with Cobalt present at a level above 200 micrograms per litre in urine has achieved such a reading unnaturally and thus measures have been taken to enhance its performance.
“Trainers should note that every sample taken by Stewards will be tested for Cobalt levels and prosecutions will follow if horses are found to be above the published threshold. Those considering flouting the rules should be prepared to pay the penalty for their actions.”
Brown said that Cobalt when present at high levels within horses acts as a Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF-1) stabiliser to stimulate red blood cell production which is a breach of the Australian Rules of Racing.
“In simple terms it means that the administration of Cobalt can assist in generating more red blood cells to carry oxygen through the body and thus allow a horse to perform at a peak level for longer without the on-set of fatigue and lactic acid,” Brown explained.
“Under Australian Rules of Racing 177B(1) and (2)(l) the detection of HIF-1 stabilisers in a horse in training is prohibited. Cobalt present at a level above our new threshold is deemed to be a HIF-1 stabiliser and thus constitutes a breach of the Rules.”
With effect from 14 April 2014, RV stewards may take action;
a. where Cobalt is detected in out-of-competition samples above 200 micrograms per litre in urine under AR 177B(1); and
b. where Cobalt, other than in commercial feeds or commercial supplements, is found in a quantity that could give rise to an offence under AR 177B(1) if administered to a horse at any time at any premises used in relation to the training or racing of horses, then action may be taken under AR 177B(5) in respect of the possession or deemed possession of that substance.
With respect to the presence of Cobalt in raceday samples, Local Rule 68A takes effect from 14 April 2014 and reads;
“In addition to the prohibited substances referred to in AR 178C, Cobalt, when present at or below the concentration of 200 micrograms per litre in urine, is excepted from the provisions of AR 178B”.
MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL TICKETS GO ON SALE EARLIER THIS YEAR 
TICKETS for the 2014 Melbourne Cup Carnival went on sale this week through Ticketek, beginning the countdown to the celebration that stops a nation.
Victoria Racing Club Acting CEO, Julian Sullivan, said the on-sale date has been brought forward this year to meet customer preferences.
“We recognize that many racegoers, and particularly the more than 50,000 expected to travel from interstate and overseas to attend the Melbourne Cup Carnival, prefer to plan their visits to Flemington well in advance,” Mr Sullivan said.
Tickets going on sale are for general admission areas, reserved seating and The Precinct, a dedicated premium GA area offering enhanced amenities.
Melbourne Cup Carnival corporate hospitality and dining offerings are already on sale, with many options expected to sell out months in advance.
“Many regular attendees are eager to secure their desired option early so they don’t miss out,” said Mr Sullivan.
“The VRC is proud to work with Ticketek for the second year, offering Melbourne Cup Carnival racegoers a simple and seamless ticketing experience.”
Ticketek offers a range of convenient methods to purchase tickets, including through its mobile site and iPhone app. Racegoers will be able to select mobile ticket delivery to receive tickets via SMS, and will simply need to present their mobile phones at Flemington for entry.
Melbourne Cup Carnival general admission and reserved seating continues to be great value for money with no price increases and free admission on all four racedays for children under 16 who are accompanied by an adult.
“We continue to work to improve the raceday experience at Flemington through facility upgrades, premium food and entertainment offerings, value-add sponsor activations and our free on-course wi-fi for racegoers,” said Mr Sullivan.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival commences with AAMI Victoria Derby Day (1 November), followed by Emirates Melbourne Cup Day (4 November), Crown Oaks Day (6 November) and Emirates Stakes Day (8 November), with over 350,000 racegoers expected to attend.
To purchase Melbourne Cup Carnival tickets, visit: ticketek.com.au/melbournecupcarnival<http://www.ticketek.com.au/melbournecupcarnival>.
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