THE WEDNESDAY WHINGE has a new look but won’t be dispensing with the theme and focus on the THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY side of what is happening in racing. The Whinge will continue to provide an opportunity for The Cynics to Have Their Say. Thanks again for your support for the most read column on this website and one of the most read on racing websites in the country. Our popularity continues to grow despite the bagging it cops from some high profile officials, especially in Queensland, who cannot cope with constructive criticism of any kind. We encourage supporters – and critics – to continue to contribute but plan to restrict the Whinge to less than 10 of the best items each week. Our message to those who continually bag us is simple: IF YOU DON’T LIKE WHAT YOU READ, THEN DON’T REVISIT THE WHINGE.
‘INTEGRITY COMMISSIONER’S REPORT SUMS UP HOW SILLY RACING IN QLD IS’ 
MURRAY DEAN, an occasional contributor to the Whinge, sent this interesting email:
‘IF followers of letsgohorseracing like a good laugh they should have a read of the Racing Integrity Commissioner’s Report (in Queensland).
The so-called Report is astonishing, not only for its brevity, but also for its complete lack of detail.
To illustrate how busy his office has been the Integrity Commissioner states that he visited some race clubs and various racing associations to let them know he was open for business. Great!
Secondly, he was able to stroll along to some industry awards nights. Tough work I guess but someone has to do it.
I know we are close to overdosing on integrity but then he comments on the ‘close and beneficial relationship he has been able to develop with Mr Condon (RQ CEO) and Mr Birch (RQ Head Integrity, currently stood down)’.
And some people are suggesting that the Integrity Commissioner should take charge of an Inquiry into the breakdown in the Integrity Department. Please!
His report then waffles on to say that he has investigated cases involving ‘alleged corruption issues, fixed races, sexual harassment and improper conduct by a senior official at Racing Queensland’. He further states that these matters have been ‘resolved’.
Great, we can sleep peacefully tonight knowing everything is fine and proper on the good ship Racing Queensland.
Of course there are no details of any of these matters.
He also thanks ‘Furlongs’ Dickson for his strong support. Why wouldn’t he? That was the Minister that appointed him.
Can life get much sillier?’
WHY WEREN’T KEVIN DIXON AND DARREN CONDON STOOD DOWN WITH WADE BIRCH? 
BRETT WINTEC, a regular critic of RQ, sent this email:
‘I know I am beginning to sound a bit like a broken record, but for someone who has never met (RQ Chairman) Kevin Dixon or (RQ CEO) Darren Condon, I feel totally ashamed on their behalf at the treatment of their staff and the contempt shown to their stakeholders.
I cannot believe that as CEO of a major organization that Darren Condon would stand behind his secretary for the reason he didn’t respond to some serious greyhound allegations. This is simply preposterous and would not be accepted by any major Board.
The facts are simple. The buck for responding to the email should stop with the CEO, not an administrative position. This appears to have been the case with the Integrity Manager. Why wasn’t Mr Condon also stood down pending an investigation?
Meanwhile, the Chairman, who is ultimately responsible, is now apparently seeking support from major players to maintain his position.
I am unsure whether Kevin Dixon has been reading the media, but the Board and CEO of NSW Greyhounds have been sacked and the Chairman of Victorian Greyhounds has voluntarily stood down.
Can anyone explain why Kevin Dixon remains at the helm of Racing Queensland and why he hasn’t done the right thing and stood down from his position pending an investigation?’
‘REPUTATION OF NEW RACING MINISTER RESTS ON DECISIONS HE MAKES NOW’ 
ALBERT WILLIAMS, a regular contributor from REDCLIFFE, summed up the feelings of many about the new Queensland Racing Minister in his email:
‘THE next couple of weeks will decide in the minds of many stakeholders and racing followers the quality of the new Racing Minister that the industry in Queensland has inherited.
Bill Byrne doesn’t have to be very good to outshine some of the ‘duds’ of more recent times like Steve Dickson and Tim Mulherin – and they came from opposite sides of the political fence.
But important early decisions will still determine Byrne’s fate in the minds of many. He needs to be very careful just who he takes advice from and which of the dozens of industry urgers and coat-tuggers he needs to dodge or simply ignore.
His handling of the greyhound scandal from a Queensland perspective is being closely monitored. The merit of any appointment to conduct a Review of Procedures will be judged largely on how ‘independent’ that person or persons is seen to be. That cannot include any of the panel involved in the selection process for the Greyhound Queensland Board, including a former Police Commissioner and a former Governor.
Whether he puts a broom through Racing Queensland – administratively and integrity wise – only time will tell. Nothing short of removing Kevin Dixon as Chairman of the All Codes Board will appease many.
If he listens to those with influence politically who are now consultants or close to key industry figures and businessmen with specific goals in racing in Queensland, Bill Byrne will quickly be consigned to the scrap heap of Racing Ministers which has grown considerably over the years.
Whatever he decides will not satisfy everyone. But the general consensus of opinion inside and outside the industry is that there needs to be change at the top and in some key roles.
To leave things as they are right now – after what has happened in too many areas, especially integrity of the sport in Queensland – will not improve its image or the Minister’s and the Labor Government.’
NEW LABOR GOVT WILL LOSE RESPECT IF IT ALLOWS DIXON TO REMAIN AS RQ BOSS 
ALEX QUIRK of IPSWICH writes:
‘IF the new Labor Government allows Kevin Dixon to remain as Chairman of the All Codes Industry Board for racing in Queensland then they are as dumb as dog shit.
The last comment – I hope you weren’t having your breakfast at the time – is probably appropriate considering that a young woman from Animal Liberation and the RSPCA were able to ‘show up’ Little King Kev, his mates on the Greyhound Queensland Board and their Integrity staff.
Now I won’t even venture down the track of the racing media in Brisbane – especially the mates of the RQ boss – or why the major newspaper in the city didn’t do an investigative piece into a problems that everyone has been talking about in the greyhound industry for years.
The best thing that has happened for racing in Queensland is the Gold Coast Titans cocaine scandal. Answering the prayers of RQ, rugby league has pushed the dogs expose and serious cobalt issues into the background.
Kevin Dixon claims he is apolitical. He’s entitled to his opinion. But there aren’t too many in racing, from either side of the political fence, who would agree with him. In fact some believe he did just as good a job for the LNP as Bob Bentley did for the Labor Government.
In view of the disasters that have occurred under the Dixon watch and questions over the TAB deal with Tattersall’s that saw two Board members resign claiming lack of consultation, not to mention serious integrity allegations concerning not only the greyhounds but the cobalt issue, one could almost suggest the new Government should have an inquiry of their own – yes another one.
The bottom line is that Kevin Dixon has to go. If he doesn’t nothing will change in racing in Queensland and the new Racing Minister and Labor Government will be regarded by many as being hoodwinked by the Chairman’s ‘coat-tuggers’.’
MESSAGE TO THE NEW MINISTER – ‘STOP LISTENING TO THE ALL CODES CHAIRMAN’ 
MAURIE ROWLAND has used the Whinge to send a note to new Minister for Racing BILL BYRNE:
Dear Sir,
Your position as Minister for Racing will be short-lived if you continue to listen to what All Codes Chairman Kevin Dixon tells you.
From all reports you are a straight shooter – not an ideal ingredient for political longevity.
Blind ‘Freddie’ could visualize you being placed under enormous pressure to appoint a ‘well trained seal’ to sort out the greyhound mess.
Whatever you do, don’t break from tradition – life is easier that way.
Don’t go overboard and carry on like that LNP drop-kick – the one that reckoned racing in Queensland would finish a furlong in front of NSW and Victoria. Sorry, but I have forgotten his name.
Your own Party has been just as bad in the past.
To prove a point ask your predecessor, Rob Schwarten (right in your own backyard).
When Schwarten announced HIS inquiry several years ago on TV he made it quite clear that he intended to clean up racing.
Then to top it off he said something along the lines “When the inquiry is over I want everyone to get back to work and work together.”
It occurred to me that I had just witnessed the great clairvoyant at his peak. (I was confused by the tall bottle.)
Sir, with great respect you have been handed the ‘poison chalice’.
Just keep looking over your shoulder and good luck.’
AT A TIME WHEN THE GREYHOUND INDUSTRY NEEDS LEADERSHIP IT IS SADLY LACKING 
‘BARRY BONES’ sent this email – the first of many concerning the state of affairs in greyhound racing in Queednsland:
‘THE Greyhound Industry is facing its greatest crisis with the exposure by the RSPCA and others of live baiting.
The Industry is in turmoil and those who are doing the right thing with their greyhounds are looking for support and direction from the control body, Racing Queensland. Unfortunately the racing industry, in this case the greyhound industry, has once again been left to flounder like a beached whale.
In times of crisis, participants look to their appointed leaders to provide visibility, direction, security and compassion. These traits are a sadly lacking in the current chairman of the All Codes Racing Board, Kevin Dixon.
It is interesting that immediately following the State election, Chairman Dixon was more than a willing interviewee on Radio TAB, telling all and sundry of his A-political beliefs.
Yet as this crisis within the Greyhound Industry unfolded, Chairman Dixon was back to his old side stepping ways. Now should be the time that Dixon stands up, fronting the media, explaining how his Integrity Team missed this atrocious behavior, what remedies he would immediately instigate, and most importantly, deliver to those remaining in the industry, his forward picture and his support for the industry and its participants.
But then again perhaps acknowledging any relationship with the Greyhound Industry would tarnish his ‘thoroughbred’ reputation.
WHY DOES THE GREYHOUND INDUSTRY FIND ITSELF NOW IN DAMAGE CONTROL? 
DAVE BURNS of GATTON sent this email on the greyhound situation:
OVER the weekend I received an e-mail from a Greyhound participant in Western Australia, Mr Peter Raines.
I will quote from his first of many paragraphs in which he makes his contempt for the persons involved and the administrators of the sport in this State of Queensland for allowing the current scandal to happen.
Quote: “What was viewed on the 4 Corners Program ‘Making a Killing’ was a disgrace on those people caught. Their actions were sickening and barbaric. They deserve everything that is coming their way. The majority of the people in the Industry like myself are shocked at the footage but glad they were caught as animal welfare is at the forefront of the industry and it also removes cheats who were performance enhancing their chasers. We as an Industry are better off without them.” End quote.
There are some 46 pages of discussion on the Greyhound Data internet site in Queensland last time I looked echoing the same sentiments but it also raises the possibility/probability that the powers to be will again try to sweep this under the carpet, because they by their own admission were well aware of what was taking place.
Isn’t it time the new Racing Minister took his broom out of the cupboard and made a clean sweep of the Boards and their administrators, who have proved beyond doubt they are asleep at the wheel, and further do not have the ability or desire to make the hard decisions for fear they will fall out of favor with some of their mates in the overall industry.
This cannot just continue with a secrecy policy of ‘see no evil, hear no evil’ and further do nothing in case we lose some popularity with our mates. You were appointed to run this Racing Industry with what is in the best interest of all participants in this Industry, you cannot say you have accepted this challenge head on, if it is too hot in the kitchen be man enough and resign the position, and allow someone else to be appointed to try to clean up the mess you have allowed to happen on your watch.
The penalties to these ‘grubs’ as this Western Australian participant named them, should be maximum. No questions asked – disqualification from the sport for life. Why? Because this cruelty activity has been the norm for too long and further proof there has only been two licensees charged for this activity by those in places of power. If these harsh penalties are not enacted the ‘grubs’ will acquiesces a little while and recommence this same activity. Why? Money talks louder than any commitment to animal welfare sadly to say.
I logged on to Racing Queensland’s website the other day and noted a heading trial tracks in Queensland clicked on the site and lo and behold only four trial tracks are registered. I did not notice the current trial track under investigation at Churchable, and another trial track missing was one owned by Racing Queensland themselves in the Glasshouse Mountains backblocks on the north coast. It made me wonder why this trial track was not registered, as it is leased to a group of trainers.
I noted also on this site a few weeks ago, a mention of a greyhound that was seriously injured and subsequently lost its life on the trialing track recently raided, under very suspicious circumstances. I am led to believe a report on this matter was compiled by a Vet involved and was handed to the RSPCA. It appears so far no action has been taken in this matter. I hope this has not been swept under the carpet also.
My good friend who I advised to adopt a greyhound for a pet, and by the way she adopted two greyhounds, rang me to say she is very concerned about the blooding of greyhounds. She told me she is seriously thinking of returning her two beautiful greyhound pets back to the adoption program as she cannot be sure if and when they may decide to chew up her two beautiful cats.
What a dilemma has arisen by the actions of these uncaring greedy people have placed the many loving and trusting public, who have supported the Greyhound Adoption Program in this State by taking these lovely animals into their hearts and homes and now find themselves very worried by the cruel actions of these people. The greyhound is known as a beautiful gentle animal. These cruel people have painted a beautiful animal as a form of evil. How could this have ever happened? Those responsible must pay the penalty and that is disqualification for life and never to be seen in the Industry again.’
DOES THE BLAME FOR THIS GREYHOUND PROBLEM GO BACK TO THE ORCHARD DAYS? 
GRAHAM SCHOOY made this contribution:
‘IT is hard to follow the dramas in the greyhound industry. It appears the ‘stewards’ panel’, as it exists, lacks any knowledge of the industry, not to mention the greyhounds themselves.
Funny that under the old Orchard / Birch regime they lost several panel members with vast experience in the industry.
One was their Chief Investigation Officer and another was the former Senior RSPCA Inspector in Queensland who was specifically recruited to the panel for his expertise in the matters the industry is now on its knees from.
I doubt this behavior would have been allowed to occur on their watch.
Orchard and his pet cadet have plenty to answer for. They allowed mediocrity to foster instead of competency. Or on the other hand, that may be giving them too much credit. The truth might be that they promoted their ‘yes’ men (and women) beyond their level of competency and one at least is now paying the price.’
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.
