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 ‘Look Back at 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 some officials who cannot cope with constructive criticism.
LAST CHANCE TO SECURE TICKETS TO SOCIAL EVENT OF THE QUEENSLAND CARNIVAL 
JUST a reminder that there a still a few tickets available to the social event of the Queensland racing calander – the Late Mail Luncheon on Friday, May 9.
For the first time this year Queensland thoroughbred fans will get the opportunity to mix and mingle with the ‘who’s who’ of race trainers when one of Melbourne’s iconic racing events comes to Brisbane.
Organizers have an incredible line-up of trainers, celebrities and guests participating in the four-hour lunch in the Ballroom of Sofitel Brisbane Central to celebrate this year’s carnival.
Strictly limited tickets are still available for general sale starting from $190 inc GST for trainers and owners. Single tickets or Tables of 10 are available. Bookings can be made via Telephone 0409 473 541 or Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
FOR THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE TWO E-MAILS OF THE WEEK
THE first comes from a one-time racing enthusiast in Queensland who highlights an issue that many agree with but are not prepared to debate publicly because of the high profile identities involved.
CALL FOR RQ TO END ITS LOYALTY TO KILCOY AND ADOPT PROGRAMMING COMMON-SENSE 
‘WHEN will Racing Queensland stop their loyalty to those running the Kilcoy Race Club from getting in the way of common-sense race programming?
It’s quite clear that the experiment of running TAB meetings at Kilcoy cannot continue to be justified and last week’s meeting clearly pays testament to this fact.
Listed below are some key statistics on the Kilcoy meeting conducted on Thursday 24 April 2014.
The meeting attracted just 50 starters.
As per the Tattsbet website, only $293,198 was invested on Kilcoy; and
There was not one rider at the meeting who was in the top 15 in the metropolitan premiership.
By way of comparison, listed below are some statistics from the Rockhampton meeting on Thursday 17 April 2014.
The meeting attracted 67 starters, 34% more than Kilcoy
As per the Tattsbet website $417,866 was invested on Rockhampton, 42.5% more than the Kilcoy meeting;
And there were two riders at the Rockhampton meeting who were in the top 15 in the metropolitan premiership, even considering that Kilcoy is less than 100km from Brisane and Rockhampton is some 500km away.
Coincidentally, at the Beaudesert meeting on Friday 25 April 2014 there were five riders in the top 15 in the metropolitan premiership, with four of these being in the tp 10, including Michael Cahill, who is leading the metropolitan premiership.
The above statistics clearly show that trainers, jockeys and ‘most importantly’ punters don’t like Kilcoy, so why does Racing Queensland persist in running meetings at this pathetic venue?
I note that in the 2014/15 race date schedule just released by Racing Queensland that they have rewarded Kilcoy with Sunday, Friday, Thursday and Tuesday dates.
If this wasn't so serious it would be laughable, but when our industry survives on wagering turnover, how can Racing Queensland justify the allocation of these dates to Kilcoy?
The Queensland racing industry is going from bad to worse!
EDITOR’S NOTE: WHAT RQ is doing here is appeasing the requirements of the LNP Government (especially National Party) influence on racing in country venues. It is a well known fact that a high profile official of the club – who unquestionably does a terrific job with racing in Kilcoy – has plenty of political clout. One imagines he is on the speed dial of the Racing Minister. The Kilcoy Race Club believes that it got a ‘raw’ deal under the Bentley Board and Labor. Many will argue it deserved better but the situation has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous. It’s the same old story with the Kevin Dixon-led RQ and the LNP Government – too many of the wrong clubs are getting too much start while those who deserve it – like Townsville especially – seem to have to wait too long or are missing out completely.
IF RACING MINISTER IS CONCERNED ABOUT ‘GREEDY’ BREEDERS WHAT ABOUT ‘MUMS & DADS’? 
THE second E-MAIL OF THE WEEK interestingly comes from a racing participant who makes some interesting comments in relation to the TBQA push for more money:
‘I noted with interest the recent TBQA (Thoroughbred Breeders’ Queensland Association) media release that confirms that they are confident that the Queensland Government will provide them additional taxpayer funds to enhance the QTIS scheme.
As an owner of horses in Queensland I cannot believe that the Racing Minister has recommended this to Treasury for inclusion in the upcoming budget.
Whilst this may sound funny coming from a racing participant, I am also a realist and have recently participated in the “Strong Choices” submission being undertaken by the LNP, which when reading the front page of the website highlights the following:
“Dealing with Queensland’s Accumulated Debt Problems”
I would really like the Racing Minister to explain how he could be recommending increased Government contributions to the Queensland breeding industry, when the “Strong Choices” survey highlights that the Queensland Government is considering the following course of action to reduce Queensland’s Accumulated Debt Problems.
· Reductions to the education budget;
· Reductions to the health budget;
· Reductions in funding for road construction and maintenance;
· Freezing police numbers;
· Reductions in the number of jailable offences to reduce prisoner numbers;
· Increases in transfer duty on family homes;
· Increases in land tax;
· Increases in payroll tax;
· Increases in the cost of motor vehicle registration; and
Introduction of new levies.
The above is all aimed at increasing the cost of living for Queensland residents. Why when these types of extreme measures are being considered would a senior Member of Parliament be recommended additional funding to assist the Queensland breeders in the creation of a monopoly?
The facts are simple, with the exception of Glenlogan Stud the Queensland breeders have poor quality stallions and even poorer quality broodmares. They have done very little to help themselves and continue to ask for handouts from the Government to promote their business. Remarkably, they want the taxpayers of Queensland to fund a scheme that forces Queenslanders to buy Queensland-bred horses if they wish to race for increased funds at Queensland meetings.
To provide an analogy, this would be like the Queensland Government providing funds to Queensland car manufacturers to enable them to subsidize petrol prices for those people purchasing their vehicles. This doesn't occur, so why would the Racing Minister be recommending that the taxpayers of Queensland increase their contribution to the Queensland breeding industry to force Queenslanders to purchase Queensland bred horses, particularly when it is likely that taxpayers will be stung with increased taxes, or reduced benefits in the upcoming budget?
Based on recent media articles I understand that the Racing Minister will produce a great windfall for the racing industry when the new wagering license is finalized. If this is factual why would the racing industry require additional Government funding to support the breeding industry? If, as suggested by the Racing Minister, the new deal will place Queensland as the Number 1 racing State in Australia, why would he be recommending taxpayers funds be directed to the breeding industry, surely this new deal will enable them to be self-sufficient without continued reliance on scarce Government funds?
Surely the Premier and Treasurer must be appalled at the actions of the Racing Minister passing the buck on this one to Treasury. Maybe he senses the new wagering license may not deliver his previously quoted outcomes and he will need Government funding to lift the Queensland racing industry to the national forefront.
Although I would love the Racing Minister’s predictions to come true, with Queensland becoming the Number 1 racing state, I do not want this to come at a cost to taxpayers and/or see reductions in the Health, Education and Infrastructure budgets.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: ONE of the best, most objective and less selfish contributions ever received by the Wednesday Whinge. It certainly sums up the feelings of most in the industry toward the majority of Breeders in this state. As for the Racing Minister, will history will judge his performance.
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 Look Back at the Racing 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:
COULD ‘DENIS THE MENACE’ BE ‘BIG RUSS’ REINCARNTED – ONE WOULD HOPE NOT? 
ONE wonders if ‘Big Russ’ Hinze, the my-way or the highway Racing Minister in Queensland from way back when, has been reincarnated in Victoria.
Controversy continues to ride shotgun with some of the actions and policies of the Racing Minister in that State, Denis Napthine, who appears to have very much a ‘Hinze-like’ approach to his job.
As Queensland learnt it’s beneficial to have a Racing Minister – in a high profile position in the Government. Big Russ was commonly referred to as the ‘Minister for Everything’. Napthine is the Victorian Premier.
But when they start to use their political clout – as Hinze did with everything from favoritism for his favorite harness racing past-time to pressuring the stewards when it came to action involving his private trainer – then things can turn nasty.
Napthine won plenty of friends in the jumps fraternity – which was on the verge of extinction in Victoria when the animal liberationists went overboard with protesting something they knew nothing about.
It was also very politically opportunistic for the Premier and Racing Minister whose electorate lies squarely in the Warrnambool area where the Grand Annual carnival was under threat. He was right in protecting an event that attracts thousands who spend big bucks in May each year visiting the region.
But when he starts attempting to influence the running of Racing Victoria because Robbie Waterhouse has been refused a license to field at the carnival where his wife, Gai, is an attraction then the public turns off in droves.
The moment Robbie suggested that Gai might not support the carnival if he could not operate on the big meetings, there was a volley of: ‘Well tell both of them to take a hike.”
As for Napthine intervening – and allegations of Liberal Party fund-raising support for him which prompted this move – it is finger down the throat stuff and reminded many in Queensland of how Hinze operated.
Then again ‘big Russ’ would have just ordered whoever was running the show to do what he wanted or sacked them. And if anyone in the media dared to speak out against him on an issue he would have got ‘Joh’ to threaten the weak-kneed newspaper editors with a withdrawal of Government advertising. That’s how corrupt the system was when Hinze and Bjelke ran the show in Queensland and had the support of their ‘maggot’ racing mates in the media.
But back to the present before I again let the past destroy what is designed to be an objective column. Napthine needs to be given a history lesson in the involvement of the Waterhouse family in racing in Australia over the years. Gai has contributed plenty. It could be argued that the same can’t be said for some other controversial members of the clan.
Hot on the heels of his endorsement of Waterhouse and attempt the influence the feelings of RVL, Napthine has been almost immediately engulfed in another controversy – this time The Age (and good on the newspaper for having the balls to question the Premier) has raised a serious conflict of interest issue.
This involves a $1.5 milion grant to a prominent Warrnambool business and racing figure with whom the Racing Minister just happens to race a horse. The gentleman involved is Colin McKenna, head of the meat processing Midfield Group and a director of the Warrnambool Racing Club.
This is all becoming too close to home for ‘Denis the Menace’ and it’s time he took a backward step. Perhaps someone should remind him what eventually happened to ‘Big Russ’ in Queensland.
Here’s a story by ROYCE MILLAR and BEN SCHNEIDER from THE AGE that outlines the latest controversy: 
PREMIER and Racing Minister Denis Napthine faces major conflict of interest questions over a $1.5 million government grant to a leading Warrnambool business and racing figure with whom he co-owns a thoroughbred racehorse.
Inquiries by Fairfax Media have revealed that Premier Napthine is in partnership in the racehorse Spin the Bottle with Colin McKenna, the head of expanding meat processor the Midfield Group, a major employer in the premier’s South-West Coast electorate.
Mr McKenna and Dr Napthine share multiple connections, including through the businessman’s role as a committee member at the Premier’s beloved Warrnambool Racing Club, which hosts its annual carnival this week.
Mr McKenna also features in club promotions for a Liberal Party/Napthine fund-raiser at the Warrnambool track on Wednesday evening.
In 2012 the Warrnambool Standard reported that Mr Napthine co-owned Spin The Bottle with fellow politician, Federal Wannon MP Dan Tehan, and ‘a group of friends’’.
Premier Napthine owns a share of Spin the Bottle in his own name. Mr McKenna’s share is in the name of Halo Racing Services Pty Ltd. Halo is fully owned by Mr McKenna’s CB McKenna Investments Pty Ltd.
Revelations of the premier’s relationship with Mr McKenna are likely to raise questions about Dr Napthine's involvement in racing, fund-raising and, now, government grants, especially in his own south-west electorate.
Premier Napthine's connections to Mr McKenna also raise uncomfortable questions about the rationale for hand-outs to business – especially cashed-up ones – through the government’s $1 billion Regional Growth Fund.
In Warrnambool last month, Dr Napthine announced a $1.5 million grant from the fund to assist the $20 million expansion of McKenna's meat processing operation, and the creation of 200 jobs, in the regional city.
The government’s deal with Midfield also includes the sale of Crown land to the company for construction of a new cold store, and state approval of rezoning.‘‘This is a win for the region, it is a great result for Colin McKenna and his team,’’ Dr Napthine said at the time.
Last week, the Premier sparked controversy with his public support – at odds with state racing authorities – for Sydney bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse’s bid to work the ’’rails’’ betting ring at the annual Warrnambool Carnival this week.
A political row followed the revelation that Waterhouse’s wife, trainer Gai, was scheduled to join Premier Napthine as the drawcard to this week’s Liberal Party fund-raiser.
Ms Waterhouse trains at least one of numerous racehorses owned or part-owned by Mr McKenna.
Money raised at the Liberal party function on Wednesday will be shared with Peter’s Project, a local cancer treatment charity founded by Dr Napthine with others, of which Mr McKenna is a director.
Mr McKenna is one of the south-west's wealthiest men and biggest employers. His Midland Meats business, which received the government grant, is in a robust financial position. Accounts filed with the corporate regulator show it had revenue of $356 million last financial year while profit more than doubled.
Mr McKenna, who owns a private jet, also paid himself a dividend of more than $1 million as cash flow quadrupled to $23.5 million.
He is also a dairy farmer and major landowner with nearly 6500 hectares around Warrnambool, including the historic Union Station and homestead.
Mr McKenna sent his jet to collect the Waterhouses from Avalon airport and fly them back to the Warrnambool racing carnival in 2013.
On Sunday, Premier Napthine confirmed his co-ownership of Spin the Bottle with Mr McKenna. But he refused to answer when asked whether Mr McKenna had donated to the Liberal Party or to his own local election campaigns, referring questions about donations to Liberal Party headquarters.
Mark Lee, a spokesman for the Premier, denied a conflict of interest as a result of the partnership with Mr McKenna.
He said Premier Napthine – who is also Regional Cities minister – had had no input into the Midfield grant decision, which was made by Regional Development Minister Peter Ryan, consistent with a recommendation from his department.
Mr Lee said Midfield had applied for the grant with the backing of the Warrnambool council.
He said he was unaware Mr McKenna had been used in racing club promotions for the fund-raising event for Premier Napthine this week.
Asked why taxpayer funds were given to a successful and expanding business, Mr Lee said the grant was consistent with government policy to support growing food enterprises.
Last week Premier Napthine also defended his decision to spruik the cause of bookmaker Waterhouse, dismissing claims there was a link between his comments and Ms Waterhouse’s appearance at the Liberal fund-raiser on April 30.
He argued that the bookmaker’s presence at the carnival would help boost attendance.
THE EAST COAST SCENE
QUEENSLAND
RQ ON THE FRONT FOOT ON TWO CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES – A HORSE DEATH AND BOWEN DEBACLE 
NOT since the Gai Waterhouse – John Singleton debacle in Sydney a year ago have we received so many e-mails to the Wednesday Whinge on an issue that has upset many stakeholders in a major racing and training centre.
But this happened in the past week when our website was inundated with complaints – some too defamatory to run – concerning allegations of a cover-up of the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of a racehorse at a major training track in south-east Queensland.
Because of the identity of those allegedly involved the questions being raised were: ‘Will Racing Queensland order an inquiry and will evidence be taken from those who witnessed the death of this horse?’
We accept that some politics are being played behind the scenes here but what concerns us are the reports that attempts were made to ‘gag’ certain people from speaking out on this issue and the fact that the mainstream racing media has so far ignored it. That comes as no surprise with one section involved here as they do some work for the club concerned.
RQ CEO Darren Condon said that under Government Bio-Security rules the control body had been advised of the death of the racehorse at a leading south-east Queensland training track. He gave an assurance that an inquiry into the circumstances would be held.
“There has been no cover-up. We are aware of the situation and an inquiry will be held,” Condon said, which is reassuring but it needs to happen without any delays. This death occurred well over a week ago.
Rather than run some of the emails we received on this issue and again be accused of ‘bashing’ certain people from a certain club who are close to those in high places at RQ, we decided to look further afield and give the Kevin Dixon Board a huge rap for their quick action to compensate stakeholders who suffered during the recent Bowen postponement debacle.
Here is an RQ Media Release on this issue:
RACING Queensland has announced it will offer compensation to trainers and jockeys who were inconvenienced by the late postponement of the Bowen Turf Club meeting on April 19.
Racing Queensland CEO Darren Condon said it was regrettable the meeting had been postponed, but the body would pay a subsidy of $200 per horse, which is payable to the trainer, and $100 per jockey to cover expenses.
“The track was quite wet in the wake of the cyclone and was inspected by Racing Queensland stewards on Wednesday and Thursday when approval was given to race,” Mr Condon said.
“Unfortunately, there was some rainfall on Friday night which Racing Queensland stewards were not notified of until they arrived at the track prior to the meeting.
“The track was deemed unsafe for racing due to water on the track and the meeting was postponed until Monday April 21.
“Because of the inconvenience caused by the late cancellation, the decision was made to pay a subsidy to those trainers and jockeys who travelled from outside Bowen to attend the meeting.”
Those trainers and jockeys affected will be notified by Racing Queensland.
VICTORIA
DOES THE VRC HAVE THE RIGHT TO OVERTURN A RULING BY THE MRC? 
WE have received a couple of emails from industry folk questioning whether the Victoria Racing Club has the right to reject a Melbourne Racing Club decision concerning the Caulfield Cup winner because it involves their big two-miler.
Racing Victoria wasted no time intervening in the issue as the story by PATRICK BARTLEY and LAURA BANKS from this week’s THE AGE reports:
RACING Victoria is making moves to increase its legislative influence after an ugly stoush between Victoria’s two biggest clubs in which the governing body has been powerless to intervene.
Melbourne Racing Club last week condemned the Victoria Racing Club’s decision to deny the Caulfield Cup winner an exception from being re-handicapped for the Melbourne Cup, prompting calls for Racing Victoria to step in and sort out the situation.
But RVL, despite being created 12 years ago, is still not legislated to overturn any Victorian club decision and there is growing pressure for the governing body to be given the authority to handle all racing matters.
RVL chief executive Bernard Saundry said he believed all elements of the racing program should be decided by RVL and that model would ensure the best interests of the entire industry.
“It would also ensure that any decisions made best align with the objectives and priority activities outlined in our three-year strategic plan released last November,” he said.
Saundry said this position was not a response to the VRC’s decision to decline the MRC’s request.
“This is a process that we commenced at the end of 2013 with the release of our strategic plan,” he said. “We have identified innovation of the racing program as a priority activity over the next three years to stimulate growth and engagement across the industry.
“Racing Victoria can achieve this goal more readily on behalf of stakeholders in the industry if it manages all aspects of the racing program.”
MRC chairman Mike Symons has been pushing for the winner of the Caulfield Cup to escape a penalty for the Melbourne Cup, and questioned the VRC’s refusal to agree to its request.
“Victoria has the potential to enhance its reputation as a lucrative destination for international horses and participants and has the capacity to expand the reach and economic impact and value of our spring racing carnival,” he said.
“With that in mind, we acted on advice from Racing Victoria and altered the conditions of the Caulfield Cup, including removing the influence of the club committee, injecting half a million dollars in prizemoney and paying it down to 10th position, and the removal of the penalty was the last of the recommendations.”
Symons said the combined $9 million value of the spring carnival’s two premier staying races would be better promoted in unison, rather than isolation.
“Accordingly, we believe that decisions such as this should be left to the principal racing authority,” he said.
“The fact that such a decision has been made, despite the support of the Racing Victoria executive, key trainers and owners, is unfortunate for the Victorian racing industry.”
The VRC board said it needed to retain ''consistency'', and the conditions of the Melbourne Cup were paramount.
It agreed it was inequitable to penalise one horse for winning a group 1 race and leaving the winner of the Caulfield Cup "untouched''.
In order to comply with the MRC’s request, all black type staying races would have to become exempt from a weight penalty, therefore eliminating many opportunities for in-form horses to earn their way into the Melbourne Cup.
The Melbourne Cup and the Caulfield Cup are two of the world’s most famous handicap races and the tussle between the two premier clubs has divided the industry.
If RVL’s long-term plan is to oversee all racing in Victoria, decisions such as these would be left to the likes of RVL senior executive, Greg Carpenter.
That would mean the Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate would be solely under the jurisdiction of RVL and decisions on the order of entry, balloting clauses, re-handicaps and the inclusion or exclusion of horses on the border line for all three races would be handled by the governing body.
“Why do we bother to pay the wages of the people like Greg Carpenter, and when he’s of his most valuable, we turn to race club committees who are ... so ill-equipped to make decisions that people like Carpenter have spent their lives making,” one source told Fairfax Media on Monday.
“Let the clubs have all of their usual involvements, but it’s time ... to let the central body be the overseer.”
It is understood that later this year the three main metropolitan clubs in Melbourne will be asked to hand over racing powers to RVL, but it is unlikely they will readily comply.
When former deputy premier and racing minister Rob Hulls created RVL, he was insistent there had to be a central power to control racing in this state, but the industry is still largely controlled by the three major race clubs - the VRC, MRC and Moonee Valley Racing Club.
A review by then Westpac Bank chairman Lindsay Maxsted in 1999 found that it was not conducive to have three metropolitan clubs and a governing body operating in the one state.
In the past two years, Sydney has consolidated its two metropolitan clubs into one operation.
Victorian Premier and Racing Minister Denis Napthine did not respond to requests for comment.
NEW SOUTH WALES
CHRIS WALLER FAR FROM IMPRESSED TO LEARN WEBSITE SET UP IN HIS NAME 
THIS was one of the most interesting stories to emerge from racing in New South Wales in the past week and here’s hoping authorities take the appropriate steps to ensure this isn’t allowed to happen again or elsewhere. Social media has an important role to play in our community but not when it is mis-used as has been alleged here.
NEWS LTD reported that premier trainer Chris Waller was ‘furious’ when he discovered a website had been set up in his name - and without his knowledge - by leading syndicator Dean Watt.
The astonishing news emerged (in the past week) as Watt fronted a stewards’ inquiry to explain why he had established another website for Triple Crown Syndications, a direct competitor which was also caught by surprise.
Triple Crown’s website carried a link which redirected traffic to Watt’s own company, Dynamic Syndications. The site has since been shut down.
It was also revealed during the three-hour hearing that Watt had registered domain names for trainers, jockeys, auction houses and rival syndicators, a legal act known as ‘cybersquatting’.
Chief steward Ray Murrihy adjourned the matter to decide if he accepted Watt’s explanation for the Triple Crown saga, or would charge him.
Watt, one of the most recognizable and successful syndicators in Australia, claimed he had done nothing illegal, and was protecting his intellectual property.
He said Triple Crown’s website was not dedicated to his competitor, but a reference to the racing term ‘Triple Crown’, a series he wanted his syndicated horses to target.
During the hearing Murrihy revealed Waller - like Triple Crown - wasn’t impressed when he discovered a website in his stable’s name.
The site carried photos of Waller, and invited punters to race horses with the Rosehill horseman.
Waller and Watt have quickly moved on from the matter, and continue to race horses together. (They subsequently saddle up Perplexity at Warwick Farm on Anzac Day).
Last September, however, Waller said in an email to Watt, which was read out by Murrihy (at the inquiry): “I’m furious you have used a website to impersonate me and my stable ... I haven’t yet engaged legal help on this situation, however, if you don’t take it down, I will be forced to start down that path.’’
Murrihy said there was a link on the website, which invited would-be buyers to send an email to inquire about a horse. A Waller employee sent an email from a ‘hoax account’, only to receive a reply from Watt’s son, Adam Watt.
Adam Watt, who was also at the inquiry, pointed out he was only advertising horses available with Waller.
“It was a goodwill gesture created to benefit both of us,’’ Dean Watt said, before he added he should have got the green light from Waller in the first place.
Watt then asked Murrihy why he had dredged up the issue when he kept quiet six months ago.
“Because it might show a pattern,’’ Murrihy said.
Triple Crown, who had their first Group 1 winner in Peggy Jean this month were represented at the inquiry by co-director Mike Ward, who said he stumbled across the Triple Crown website in February.
Watt said as the owner of a business, he should have done more to protect his intellectual property.
THE NARCS HAVE THEIR SAY ON CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES
ANZAC DAY IS HARDLY AN EXAMPLE OF HOW QUEENSLAND IS CATCHING SOUTHERN STATES 
BEAUDESERT tried hard to promote Anzac Day as its biggest meeting of the year but there are plenty who believe that racing should be run in Brisbane on that day. Unfortunately the bigger clubs don’t seem to be interested in public holidays when it comes to paying overtime to staff.
Here is an email that we received concerning the Anzac Day situation:
‘IF everyone has been able to pull themselves together after the Minister’s announcement about how quickly Queensland Racing has been gaining ground on our counterparts in the southern states I thought I would share the following facts with your readers.
I have listed below the relevant prize money distribution for each State or Territory as per their TAB meetings on Anzac Day.
VICTORIA $903,000
NSW $691,000
WA $195,000
SA $103,000
QLD $80,000
NT $70,000
Phew! We just nailed the Northern Territory yet we still can’t catch those Crow Eaters in a place where many of their major participants have already packed up and left.
The West Aussies are a mile in front and it is downright embarrassing to even compare us with the two major States.
When are these two ‘Dicks’ going to wake up and realize the industry in this State is going straight down the gurglar?’
CRITICS OF RACING MINISTER DICKSON HAVE A FIELD DAY WITH HIS LATEST GAFFE 
CRITICS of Racing Minister Steve Dickson – the number is growing to legendary proportions – had a field day when it was revealed this week that he refuses to recognize the largest body representing trainers in Queensland.
Here are two examples of many emails that we received that hopefully get the general message across:
‘QUEENSLAND has had some absolute boof-heads as Racing Minister over the years but this latest bloke takes the cake.
His latest attack of ‘foot in mouth’ disease relates to the Rockhampton Trainers’ Association which anyone with an inkling of knowledge about the racing industry in Queensland would know is far more representative than its city cousin, the ATA.
Unfortunately, officialdom of the northern branch of the ATA is known for their expertise when it comes to playing politics. They have successfully fence jumped from Labor to the LNP Government and from the Bentley Board to that of Kevin Dixon and good on them.
Such has been their success in this field that Racing Minister Dickson is only prepared to listen to them when it comes to issues involving trainers despite the fact that the body operating out of Rockhampton has far more members.
What Dickson is doing in fact is turning his back on the views of almost every trainer in the country apparently because the ATA has convinced him that their view is the only one that matters.
Racing Queensland is content to run with that situation because the ATA doesn’t criticize and that sits far better with their Chairman Kevin Dixon who is joined at the hip with the Racing Minister who consistently tells anyone who cares to listen that he’s the best thing since sliced bread.
It’s all politics and it stinks.’
AND this one from a country reader: 
‘One wonders what the National Party arm of the Government thinks about the statement by Racing Minister Steve Dickson that he isn’t interesting in listening to or considering the thoughts and feelings of trainers in the country.
Had this statement come from the RQ Chairman it wouldn’t have surprised many of us in the country. He regularly breaks bread with bosses of the ATA in Brisbane and is on quite cushy terms with many of the top trainers. We all know how Kevin Dixon operates and we also know how the ATA plays their politics.
For a Minister to declare that the biggest training group in the state is irrelevant while he only wants to listen to a body that is far from representative of the views of the trainers in Queensland is an absurd situation.
One might also pose the question: Does a close relative of a high profile official of the ATA in Queensland not hold down a key position in the Racing Minister’s office and is there not a conflict of interest if the department is playing any role in influencing Steve Dickson’s feelings on this issue.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: IF you are referring to Michael Duff, son of ATA president Pat Duff, working for the Office of Racing Minister Steve Dickson, it should be pointed out that he also worked for Labor predecessors Bob Gibbs and Merri Rose. Having said that it is just politically naïve for Minister Dickson to turn his back on the Rockhampton Trainers’ Association . He is out of his league if he wants to play racing politics with the boss of that body, Jim Rundle. Terry Butts, who broke the story about the Minister’s rejection of the RTA, tells me much of the feeling between city and country trainers stems from reports that have flowed back to the country of a bagging they copped from a high profile city trainer in the presence of the RQ Chairman. And for the e-mailer who wrote in suggesting Terry Butts has a conflict of interest because he also trains in Townsville and that his views are representative of those of the RTA, that gentleman might be surprised to learn that Butts is one of the few trainers in the country who is still a member of the ATA but he tells me that won't be the case for much longer.
'WHEN WILL THESE DILLS AT SKY CHANNEL GET IT RIGHT’ WHEN COVERING HONG KONG? 
WE received this email from a fan of Hong Kong racing who is far from happy with the SKY Channel coverage. It reads:
‘WILL these dills running Sky Channel ever get it right when it comes to Hong Kong racing?
If you have a channel called Sky World why wouldn’t you showcase the best international racing on it?
Instead when Hong Kong programs one of its biggest meetings of the year last Sunday the early racing is shown on Sky 2 not on Sky World.
We have to wait for the Australian racing to end on the day before Sky and TVN start showing the Hong Kong card.
Now before they start telling us that this includes the major races on the card from Hong Kong, aren’t we entitled to see the whole program from the start on Sky World when it should be designed for international racing as the word ‘world’ would suggest.
Instead they duplicate most of what is already shown on TVN and Sky 1 on Sky World which seems an absolute waste of space.
Meanwhile, if you want to watch the early races from Hong Kong these are interspersed between dogs and trots from anywhere in Australia and New Zealand with holds that raise the question why they are given prominence over Hong Kong?
Sky 2 should be the home of the trots, the dogs and the bush races. Hong Kong should be shown on Sky World. Australian racing should be on Sky 1 and TVN.
It’s as simple as that – but unfortunately not so for the rocket scientists running Sky Channel.'
‘BOOM BROTHERS’BLOW PUNTERS OUT OF THE WATER BEFORE THE CARNIVAL BEGINS 
THE racing media troops in Queensland have been marshaled to provide FBI (front, back and inside) coverage for the Winter (it’s not even Winter but we’ll call it that) Carnival in Queensland. It won’t be easy without a box office drawcard.
Here’s what one contributor had to say about the up-coming carnival:
‘WHAT a disgraceful dress-rehearsal to the carnival in Queensland the Victory Stakes was at Eagle Farm on Saturday – not to mention the track seemed blatantly biased to the on-pacers.
While all we heard and read about was the quinella by the ‘Boom Brothers’ spare a thought for the poor old punters who were again put to the siword in Brisbane racing.
How did Temple of Boom manage to beat Spirit of Boom and the short priced favorite Snitzerland? Trainer Tony Gollan said it was ‘a great result for the stable.’ Yeah mate, stuff the punters!
Spirit of Boom was coming off a Group One win in the William Reid at Moonee Valley and had been runner-up in two G1’s before that – the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket.
Temple of Boom – better known as a wet-tracker – had gone for well over a dozen starts and two years without a win and his form this campaign included: a 6th in the G3 Star Kingdom at Rosehill when he couldn’t pick his feet up; a 6th in the G1 Galaxy and an 8th in the G2 Challenge. Sure, he had the form to knock off his stablemate, that’s why he was $41 and it was $4.
Some were complaining when Temple of Boom attacked for the lead – they were the ones on Snitzerland. Other punters on Spirit of Boom were content to see the race play out that way.
But who would have thought the roughie would race straight past the favorite then hold on to beat its stablemate.
If that’s the best the punters can expect in Queensland this carnival then they better shut up shop before it begins – at the Gold Coast this coming Saturday – which is traditionally a graveyard for the fancied runners.’
PUNTER BLAMES BAD RIDES BY BOSS AND OLIVER FOR THE DEFEATS OF TWO TOP FANCIES 
‘IS it my imagination or is Glen Boss in one of the worst form slumps of his career?
Perhaps we’ll have to wait for Queensland for Boss to ride high in the saddle after he wins a big race.
But might I suggest – with due respects to his past ability – that if he rides like he did on Rebel Dane in the All Aged Stakes, he won’t be winning too many features.
It was interesting to read that Boss believes Rebel Dane was suffering the after-effects of a hard first-up run on a bog track when second to Lankan Rupee in the T J Smith.
I thought he gave Rebel Dane a sore back in the All Aged but no doubt he will continue to partner the four-year-old when he heads to Queensland where the pickings will be much easier than Sydney.
And on the subject of bad rides at Randwick last Saturday I would argue that the worst on the card was that of Damien Oliver on Veuvelicious when he totally missed the boat in the Champagne Stakes.
At least the stewards did ask him about it. He felt the horse had been disappointing and had not backed up from its win in the Fernhill Stakes.
So there you have it – two top jockeys in Boss and Oliver – blaming the horses for their bad rides.
STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED IN THE MAINSTREAM RACING MEDIA
RELEASE OF LANDMARK REPORT INTO JOCKEYS’ RIDING VESTS 
THE Australian Racing Board has welcomed the release of a landmark report into jockeys’ riding vests.
The ‘Evaluation of Safety Vests - Health and Safety in Australian Racing’ report was a two year collaboration between the ARB and the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC).
In releasing the report, ARB CEO Peter McGauran said that jockeys benefited from wearing the vest but improvements in its design were needed.
“This is likely to be the first major study into vests anywhere in the world in the past twenty years. The report demonstrates the overall benefit of the vest despite claims that it constrains a jockey in a fall. However, it is equally important not to overstate the level of protection a vest can provide.” Mr McGauran said.
“Essentially the vest significantly reduces less severe injuries such as sprains and strains in the region the vest covers, being chest, back and ribs.”
“Concerningly, the research data reveals an increase in neck and back fractures in recent years. Review of race day video footage revealed that most of these types of injuries were indirectly caused by the rider taking a forward dive into the track with the head hitting the turf. Racing authorities will further consider this aspect of the report’s findings.” Mr McGauran said.
The report has led to the following initiatives by the ARB:
1. An assessment of new and heavier vests offering a higher level of protection for track work riding where weight is not as much a determinant as in race riding;
2. An examination of whether the panel covering the spinal column could be improved to offer a higher level of protection in the vest; and
3. Implementation of a new quality assurance surveillance system to ensure vests are continuing to meet the safety standard as defined in the Australian Rules of Racing.
“I congratulate and thank the report’s principal author Dr Caroline Foote for her important contribution to the safety of jockeys.” Mr McGauran concluded.
The report is available for download from the RIRDC website: www.rirdc.gov.au
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in the above e-mails should not be interpreted as those of JOHN LINGARD, the owner-editor of the letsgohorseracing web-site. That is why he has added an ‘EDITOR’S NOTE’. Every endeavor is made to verify the authenticity of contributors. We welcome any reasonable and constructive responses from parties or individuals.
