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.
OUR RACING E-MAILS OF THE WEEK:
DECISIONS RELATING TO COUNTRY RACING STARTERS CONTINUE TO CONFUSE 
JOHN G of NORTH QUEENSLAND writes:
‘I have been taking an interest in a number of comments on your website recently and mainly those that affect me in the country.
To me this new acceptance policy from headquarters is likely to stuff bush racing.
Have a look at the following.
Saturday 14 June – three country meetings with only four races
o Mount Garnett
o Charleville
o Moranbah
The Charleville meeting has two races with emergencies. Why wasn’t one of these divided to provide five races?
It appears that a trainer has propped up a race at the Longreach meeting to ensure it maintained five races. He has a horse accepted in the Class 3 and the Open. Had he not accepted in the Open with this horse this race would have been abandoned. He also has another runner in the Open.
Nothing will happen here because the stewards are asleep at the wheel. The Integrity Commissioner should step in and sort out the policy because bad policy will cause trainers to do this.
I note one of your contributors mentioned the lack of scrutiny that this bad policy has attracted from the Country Racing Committee, and questioned whether this had anything to do with Garry Peoples’ political aspirations.
Well, after what has occurred on the weekend I cannot see how the Country Racing Committee cannot publicly outline their position on this issue.
This will ruin Country racing and they are elected to provide us country people with a voice.
Where are they on this issue?
Are they just puppets because they should be speaking up for us not letting this go on?
Their own backyard is being trampled and they are watching it happen.
The Minister keeps talking about how well country racing is going under the LNP.
If so, why do we have three country meetings on Saturday with only four races?
This is the best time of the year for us. We generally have plenty of horses during these periods (unlike summer when we struggle in the bush), so maybe country racing isn’t going as well as the Minister is telling us.
Does he know anything about country racing?
I never in my wildest dreams thought I would say this, but I reckon the whole joint was better off under Bentley’s mob.
And by the way if you can ever get anyone at headquarters to take your call or get them to return a phone call you are going better than me.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: MY mail is that Garry Peoples and the Country Racing Committee are doing everything in their power to have this new acceptance policy overturned. It’s time that Racing Queensland and the Minister Steve Dickson listened to those at the industry coalface in the country and realized that it was simply a dumb decision. It certainly isn't sitting too well with some National Party MPs. It's time RQ replaced those who resigned and appointed someone like Garry Peoples to the Board.
DID THE MINISTER MISS THE SOD TURNING CEREMONY TO DODGE THE PROTESTERS? 
OSCAR J of BRIBANE writes:
‘NEWS from the kennel this week is that those who think Racing Minister Stephen Dickson is ‘a complete dill’ need to reconsider.
They may only be half right.
According to a report in the local newspaper Minister Dickson was to have shown up at a sod turning ceremony to start supposed construction of the new Cronulla Park dog track aka Never Never Land.
A handful of greyhound officials were on hand but at the last minute Minister Dickson failed to show. It would appear he got the late mail that a large contingent of protesters were waiting the Minister to let him know the feelings Logan residents have about the Government’s decision to build another gambling venue in the already cash strapped Logan area.
While no one in greyhound circles has seen any plans for the site the LNP Government seems to be progressing ahead with the ill judged concept. Not only are 90 per cent of councillors against the build, along with some 7,000 and a growing list of signatures on a petition, a report commissioned by the Queensland Trail Bike Riders’ Association in 2004 indicates what the site offers. The association was looking for a place where its members could ride but the report quickly slammed that idea.
The previous dump site was liable the report said to emit methane gasses until at least 2017 and that 2.5m high exhaust pipes needed to be built around the site to help emit the toxic and highly explosive methane gas. One good thing from all this, it would certainly put a hold on the smoking habits of any greyhound people. On top of that, the report indicated only 10 per cent of the land area was suitable for construction for not only light towers but for any type of building.
But in its wisdom ‘small Dixon man’ and what’s left of the Racing Board after the Deputy Chair and the trots man resigned recently, RQ continues with its plans to spend $12 million on a new dog track.
Local councillors want to see the money spent on more worthwhile things like basketball courts and amenities for its people rather than a dog track that’s going to encourage more gambling on a contaminated site that no one else wants.
Speaking of greyhounds and the Minister who apparently only opens his mouth to change his feet, he may have set himself a big task with his statement that Queensland racing is going to come from a long last and overtake racing in NSW and Victoria under his astute watch.
Currently RQ pays out about $11 million in prizemoney to greyhounds while in Victoria the annual prizemoney is a smidgen under $40 million, bit of leeway there Minister!
As for greyhound racing Queensland has two south east Queensland tracks and two country TAB tracks which race a total of nine meetings a week, Victoria has 20 meetings a week run on 13 tracks.
But the good news Minister does not end there for you. Victoria’s GAP program, which places slow or retired greyhounds, places about 40 animals a week, hardly what we do in a year.
But there’s more. In a few weeks the TAB prizemoney distribution formula will be decided. For eons greyhound turnover has always and still does eclipse trots, yet the trots, due to some top heavy connections, gets a disproportionate payout that proves greyhounds have been propping up the trots for many years and was a highlight of the Commission of Inquiry into Bogan Bob Bentley’s reign over Queensland racing.
Now rumblings about the kennels suggest that once again the trots are going to be propped up by the dogs when the formula is released in a few weeks time. Seems fun times lie ahead for the Minister of Foot in Mouth.’
INDUSTRY CALLS FOR SOME CLARIFICATION ON WHO’S PAYING FOR EAGLE FARM UPGRADE 
TIM V of BRISBANE sent this email:
‘THE Eagle Farm track is finally being fixed up, going by recent announcements by the Treasurer, Tim Nichols.
It isn’t before time as it is badly needed although at the moment the track at Eagle Farm is racing as well as any thoroughbred track in south east Queensland.
I have seen reports where $22 million is being invested in the project at Eagle Farm on top of the other money which has been used out of the $110 million industry infrastructure fund for the thoroughbred code.
It won’t leave much for my greyhound industry or the harness crew.
I have tried unsuccessfully to get the finance guy at Queensland Racing, Adam Carter, to ask how much is going to each code out of the total amount of infrastructure funding and whether there is any contribution from Eagle Farm in the $22 million they are going to spend on their project?
Surprisingly, all relevant funding amounts have been removed from the Queensland Racing website. I thought the Government and Queensland Racing were supposed to be open and transparent!
My question is: Do you know if Eagle Farm is putting money in or is the lot funded from the infrastructure money?’
EDITOR’S NOTE: I’ve made some inquiries and RQ CEO Darren Condon tells me that $10 million of that allocated for the Eagle Farm redevelopment is coming from the Infrastructure Fund. The Brisbane Racing Club will be required to repay the remaining $12 million which, to some degree, involves the construction of tunnels.
‘EVEN MORE CONFUSED BY INFRASTUCTURE STRATEGY AFTER READING RQ WEBSITE’ 
BRETT W of BRISBANE asks:
‘DOES anyone know what is going on with the Queensland Industry Infrastructure Strategy?
I am totally confused and the Racing Queensland website has confused me even further.
The website outlines the completed projects as Cairns, Beaudesert and Mackay.
The website outlines the current projects as Toowoomba, Gold Coast (member, kitchen and corporate box upgrade) and Brisbane Racing Club ($1.2 million for project analysis and application).
It was my understanding that the above three projects had already been completed some time ago. It seems odd that they wouldn’t update their website.
Also, there is no mention within the Queensland Infrastructure Strategy section of projects at Logan, Albion Park, Townsville or Eagle Farm, which I thought had also been announced.
Quite strangely, there is no mention on the website as to what has been expended and/or allocated to date, and what is left to be allocated.
Then to confuse things further The Sunday Mail suggested that the Eagle Farm money may be a loan and there is some form of security over Eagle Farm and Doomben.
As I am having no luck getting a response from Racing Queensland, can you or any of your readers shed any light on this matter?
Either this is very sloppy management by Racing Queensland, or someone is trying to cleverly conceal the facts.
The point is, this is taxpayer money and as taxpayers we have a right to know how it is being expended. This type of management leaves a big question mark over the integrity of this whole funding package.
As a person who races their horses Interstate, but continually monitors progress in Queensland, it would be beneficial if such an important allocation of funds was properly promoted as it may offset the impact of the waning racing program.’
MORE ACCUSTATIONS OF PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT TO BRC FROM RQ 
JIM B of TOOWOOMBA writes:
‘CAN someone please explain why it appears that Racing Queensland continues to provide preferential treatment to its mates at the Brisbane Racing Club?
As we all know, we only ever have one mid-week metropolitan meeting each week.
This was until last week when, in addition to the Wednesday meeting, Doomben also conducted the Friday meeting, as Ipswich conducted its biggest meeting of the year on Saturday.
Usually, when Clubs conduct Provincial meetings they race for Provincial prizemoney, but not Doomben. Quite ridiculously both Doomben meetings were conducted for mid-week metropolitan prizemoney of $17,000 per race.
One may conclude that Racing Queensland took this decision because the Doomben meeting would be a superior betting medium to Provincial meetings.
With this in mind I took the decision to review the Tattsbet screen to ascertain how the Doomben meeting faired against the latest Ipswich Friday meeting on 16 May 2014.
Listed below are the outcomes of my investigation:
Doomben 13 June 2014 $624,194
Ipswich 16 May 2014 $685,416
That’s right, the Ipswich meeting turned over in excess of $61,000, or 10 per cent more than the Doomben meeting.
You won’t believe it, but the Ipswich meeting was conducted with $97,000 in prizemoney, whilst $136,000 was dispensed at the Doomben meeting. That’s in excess of 40 per cent more prizemoney distributed at the Doomben meeting for a minus 10 per cent wagering outcome.
Based on the above, can anyone explain to me why Ipswich Friday meetings are conducted for less prizemoney than Doomben Friday meetings?
It will probably go down as another unexplained Racing Queensland mystery, and definitely wouldn’t have anything to do with someone’s previous relationship with the Brisbane Racing Club, and one of the trainers that resides on-course (who I think won a five horse race worth $17,000 on Friday).’
RACE DEATH INQUIRY POSTPONED SO THAT DAD COULD BE THERE TO SUPPORT SON 
KEN J of TOOWOOMBA writes:
‘THE more racing folk hear about this ‘horse death inquiry’ in Toowoomba the more they fear a certain outcome is inevitable.
In the latest fiasco the inquiry has been delayed to allow the father of the trainer of the horse at the centre of the hearing to return from an overseas trip.
One has to question if this would happen had the trainer in the spotlight been the son of a ‘nobody’ – not the son of a Chairman of a Club, a high profile racing identity and perhaps, even more concerning, a good mate of the man who runs everything in racing in Queensland.
I am not suggesting anyone is getting any start here but when will RQ learn that things need not only to be right but, in the eyes of the industry and those watching, to look to be right.
We are told in the latest media report on the Downs that the RQ investigation will focus on whether or not the racehorse was ‘cruelly treated’ before it died at Clifford Park racecourse.
RQ integrity regulatory unit manager Norm Torpey – can you believe it this guy who some say was a reject from the ‘red hots’ now has a position of such importance - said transcripts of 15 interviews would be part of a hearing into the horse’s death on April 10 (that’s right it’s now well over two months since this occurred).
Mr Torpey was quoted in the Toowoomba newspaper as saying: the ‘somewhat reluctance of the horse to enter the pool’ was a focus of the hearing and that “there is some conflicting evidence at that moment.”
Bloody oath there’s some conflicting evidence doing the rounds on the Downs and the general opinion is that no action will be taken.
The hearing was apparently scheduled to proceed on June 2 but was adjourned at the request of trainer Michael Frappell so that his father, Bob, who is chairman of the TTC and a one of the biggest supporters of RQ Chairman Kevin Dixon, could be present to give evidence.
According to the report, Mr Torpey was trying to confirm when Bob Frappell would be returning so another hearing date could be scheduled. Now isn’t that nice of him?
Mr Torpey said the investigation was initiated after the RSPCA received an anonymous complaint. He said the receipt of subsequent complaints had lengthened the investigation period.
“We do treat these matters quite seriously,” he assured the newspaper.
Well that’s nice to know. What isn’t so nice is the fact that the RSPCA didn’t investigate this independently. There goes my support for that mob in future – and a lot of others.
This whole affair should have been the subject of an independent investigation from the moment it was evidence who the parties were that the microscope was on. But that was never going to happen under the current hierarchy at RQ – or that’s what most of us think.
Time will tell if we are right and if the expected outcome occurs there is going to be one hell of a crap fight behind the scenes.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: DURING my days of covering harness racing I witnessed first-hand the talents of Norm Torpey as a high profile steward and I am confident he will deliver the right result when this inquiry is concluded.
THE CYNICS HAVE THEIR SAY
WILL OTHER STATES FOLLOW RACING NSW LEAD ON CORPORATE BOOKMAKERS? 
JACK K of SYDNEY writes:
‘ISN’T it wonderful to see Racing NSW again setting the pace when it comes to an issue that affects the punters?
This time it involves these low-life corporate bookmakers who are allowed to do as they like in this country, even shut down your account if you are too successful.
It will be interesting to see if the other states follow the lead of NSW on this one – or just sit on their hands – as usual.
Rather than me rant on about this here is what Max Presnell, of whom I am a great fan, had to say on the issue in his column (in the Sydney Morning Herald):
MEETINGS will be held this week to eliminate flea bookmaking on fixed odds to enhance Racing NSW's efforts to get punters a better deal.
Negotiations regarding a minimum-to-lose amount of $3000 on the metropolitan races, $1500 on provincials and $1000 on country races is a starting point.
Because the bets are recorded, complaints can be investigated and the appropriate action taken.
Of course, on the old scale, certainly with city racing, they are paltry amounts but the bad habits introduced to Australian betting by the corporates sour many on horse playing.
"There have been frequent and persistent complaints by punters about wagering operators refusing to take their bets, particularly in circumstances where those punters have been successful," Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys justifiably pontificated.
Thus V’Landys intends to apply Race Fields Information Use approvals so “wagering operators are required to stand to lose a minimum amount on any single fixed odds wager on NSW thoroughbred races”.
Punters and bookmakers at the meeting will be consulted on the best way to get a fair go; the move received a mixed reception from the Racenet forum.
“Positive step and sounds good on face value. Two points before we start getting too excited,” the Protagonist stressed. ”It means nothing if they continue to close accounts, and let's see how it affects the odds on offer ...
“It’s probably not possible but a Betfair exchange wholly owned by all Australian race clubs (with minimal take-outs) could kill off all these international corporates that have to pay a levy.”
Back in the early days of Betfair, before the invaders got a toehold on the market, former trainer Geoff Chapman made the same suggestion. Consider how much richer racing would now be if it had been adopted.’
BAGGING FOR EAGLE FARM ON STRADBROKE DAY FROM SYDNEY VISITOR 
WE thought this item by MAX PRESNELL in his widely-read column in the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD was worthy of reproducing:
MY being easily pleased by Eagle Farm, where top racing returns on Saturday, received a brickbat from a dissatisfied visitor.
“For some 16 years our group has travelled from Sydney to attend the Stradbroke meeting,” Peter Johnson explained by email, which I’ll relay in an abbreviated form.
“For the casual punter it was probably of little concern that the old infield tote board was not working, but for the serious punter the lack of tote prices and results with the relevant data as to placings or dividends was decidedly unhelpful.
“To compound this, screens that are installed in the public stand bars are so small that they cannot be read from a distance …
“Draught beer in the Moreton Bar was problematical for most of the day but at least 10 minutes before the Stradbroke it ran out and, I understand, all beer shortly thereafter.
“The national anthem was a debacle – about 200 metres of the Stradbroke was run before the anthem was cut off. Disrespectful to both our anthem and the race.
“A final insult – I left within 30 seconds of the horses crossing the line in the Brisbane Cup and the escalator in the public stand was off.”
My complimentary view was based on the mounting yard and the on-course turf action. Johnson’s criticism is justified. I’m not aware of public facilities but I don’t go to Eagle Farm for the booze. My preference is the Albion after the last.
IT PAYS TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT – BUT THIS BLOKE WILL NEVER LEARN 
BILL J of (undisclosed country centre) sent this email:
‘I thought you might like to know about a looming dust-up between a big mouth owner and his high profile interstate trainer.
It seems the owner – who has a reputation for putting his foot fair down his mouth – has been bagging the training costs, in particular some special treatment that has been required to get his horse firing.
His whining to anyone who cares to listen has filtered back to the new mentor who has turned the horse’s form around amazingly and he is not too impressed.
Chances are ‘big mouth’ and his ‘neddy’ could soon be looking for new pastures out there in training never-never land.’
THE PUNTERS’ POST MORTEM – HAVE YOUR WHINGE!
IT’S HARD TO KEEP COOL ON THE PUNT WITH THESE SORT OF FORM REVERSALS 
JOEY K of SYDNEY writes:
‘MY whinge this week is about the win of Keep Cool in the last at Rosehill.
I was on him a start earlier when he was well backed and although Christian Reith was forced to work from his wide alley I still felt the horse was disappointing.
There was no way I could see him beating Excess Knowledge on Saturday but he gave the import a hiding and to make matters worse was at the juicy odds of $14.
The only explanation the Joe Pride stable could offer was that Keep Cool had the blinkers reapplied along with the addition of a tongue control bit.’
BYRNE OR BOSS – WHOSE RODE THE BETTER RACE – YOU BE THE JUDGE? 
SAM A of GOLD COAST writes:
‘IT’S amazing what a difference a ride can make to the performance of a horse – take La Tikka Rosa for example.
Glen Boss rode her upside down when she tired at Eagle Farm. Jim Byrne rode her quietly and she ran over the top of them at Ipswich.
Granted it was a drop in class and the Matt Dunn stable advised La Tikka Rosa would be ridden back in the field but I still prefer to describe the Boss ride previously as a ‘slaughter job.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: Glen Boss was questioned regarding his tactics at Eagle Farm. He stated that after consultation with trainer Matt Dunn and the owners prior to mounting, he had suggested that he should ride the mare forward as there was no pace in the race. They agreed.
DOES THE QUALITY OF BIG RACE RESULTS POINT TO A MEDIOCRE CARNIVAL? 
BRIAN B of GOLD COAST
‘THE quality of the big race results on Ipswich Cup day just about summed up the carnival in Queensland this year – very mediocre.
When the locally-trained gallopers start winning the features you kind of realize that the carnival is below standard to some of the better years.
That’s an understatement this time. In fact Cup day at Ipswich continues to go from bad to worse – quality wise.
About the best thing they could do with Ipswich Cup Day – and I suspect the same can be said for the forthcoming big meeting at the Sunshine Coast – is that they would make very good Sunday features.’
HOW THE BIG BETS FARED WITH THE CORPORATE BOOKIES 
THE two worst results for the corporate bookmakers in Fixed Odds betting on last Saturday’s racing were Sacred Flyer at Flemington and Scream Machine at Rosehill.
But they won plenty on the likes of Excess Knowledge, Tax Evader, Lucy Baa, Masthead, Good Music and Brazen Moss (although some were placed, all failed to salute).
Jack ‘n’ Me and Alma’s Fury were good results for the bookie boys at Ipswich while Keep Cool provided some relief for them at Rosehill.
SNIPPETS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED IN THE MAINSTREAM RACING MEDIA 
· FROM August 1 all Victorian Saturday programs will have nine races and there will only be 35 minutes between all races, not 40 as are scheduled at the moment between late races on Sydney and Melbourne Saturday meetings.
· AT the initiative of Racing Victoria chief executive Bernard Saundry and chief stipe Terry Bailey, a trainers’ open day will be held where the workings of all departments of Racing Victoria will be explored as well as expert advice given on such matters as best workplace practices, financial management and debt recovery. Former Premier Jeff Kennett will be the keynote speaker.
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.
