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.
THE UGLY ‘COBALT’ UNDERBELLY ALLEGEDLY OPERATING IN RACING IN QUEENSLAND 
LARRY FRANCIS, a long-time follower of racing in Queensland, pens his first email to the WEDNESDAY WHINGE and it certainly is an interesting and informative one:
‘TALK to anyone closely connected with the racing industry in Queensland and they will tell you that the ‘go to man’ for any trainer wanting to dabble in cobalt has been a well-known identity from the harness code.
There is also scuttlebutt doing the rounds about one prominent south-east Queensland gallops stable paying him $7,000 for the banned substance in one go and this is a trainer who enjoys considerable success at the major tracks.
These stories are doing nothing to improve the image of racing in Queensland. If RQ had an Integrity Department similar to Victoria they would be jumping fences and raiding stables by surprise.
The ‘coming ready or not approach’ that allegedly occurs in the north is making RQ the butt of many jokes. It’s time for little King Kev to get off his behind and tell his chosen one as Head of Integrity (when he gets back from an enforced holiday on the massive pay packet he receives) to start doing his job.
Why can’t they get phone taps on those supposedly at the centre of cobalt use in Queensland? Perhaps this is one for another who needs to step up to the plate and show his worth, the Integrity Commissioner and former top cop Jim O’Sullivan. What was the last scalp he claimed since coming to office or has there been one?
Why can’t all these highly paid integrity gurus organize for some surveillance to be placed on this harness identity (and others suspected of distributing cobalt in Queensland, like one particular source on the Downs with close connections to those with plenty of say.). Better still why not haul this bloke in and ask him a few questions – he was at one time a licensee and probably still is.
Why have some of the stables he was allegedly supplying cobalt seemed to have suffered from a form slump in more recent months? Could it be they are taking a little break until the heat dies down (some would say no chance of that happening in Queensland where it never gets hot in the integrity kitchen)?
These are important questions that would be answered if the Integrity Commissioner or the Head of Integrity at RQ got off their backsides and listened to what insiders in the industry are saying about the ‘underbelly’ of racing in Queensland.
The sooner the broom gets put through the entire joint – and heads start to roll from the top down after this Government-ordered Greyhound Review is completed – the better for all concerned especially those trying to bet on racing in Queensland.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: I have been aware for some time of the harness identity and another on the Downs allegedly responsible for the distribution of Cobalt in Queensland. It is almost incomprehensible that only two gallops trainers have been detected with swabs above the threshold and just makes one wonder if we are lagging behind the southern states when it comes to policing procedures. If I am aware of the harness identity alleged to be the ‘go to man’ for Cobalt, I am positive that John Hackett, a long-time steward in that code, would also have heard what are more than just rumours (many trainers will confirm what has been claimed in the email above). The bottom line is that Head of Integrity and former Chief Steward Wade Birch, the anointed one of our fearless RQ leader, Kevin Dixon, just isn’t up to the job. If the new Racing Minister Bill Byrne had any balls at all he would sack them both and not just pussyfoot around waiting for that inevitable outcome at the end of the Greyhound Inquiry.
‘ISN’T IT REASSURING TO KNOW QUEENSLAND RACING IS SO SQUEAKY CLEAN’? 
WE also received this email concerning the Cobalt situation in Queensland from DES McCARTHY of the GOLD COAST:
‘ISN’T it reassuring to know that the racing scene in Queensland is so squeaky clean when it comes to the use of cobalt?
It came as no surprise to anyone who follows the sport in the north and how it is policed that a couple of nobody’s were the only ones caught in the Cobalt net.
While some of the biggest names in the training ranks in Australia are at the centre of cobalt scandals in Victoria and to a lesser degree, NSW, there were only two irregularities detected from the gallops in Queensland.
One of those was from Rockhampton and the other a trainer from the Sunshine Coast who no longer holds a license and some suspect threw it in because he was tipped off about what was coming.
Punters and stakeholders can sleep well knowing that the stables in south east Queensland are squeaky clean despite all those terrible, unfounded rumours that have been doing the rounds for so long.
It would have been nice, however, if RQ had released a list of names of those trainers who were swabbed just to silence the critics who continue to claim that the RQ testing procedure resembles nothing like a level playing field.
I don’t necessarily subscribe to that theory but the one way to prove it isn’t correct is to list a couple of big names who are being lambasted behind the scenes as having being swabbed and cleared.
The much-awaited release of the cobalt results has done nothing to improve the image of racing in the eyes of those who have punted on or followed racing in south-east Queensland for years.
We’ve watched them all improve a furlong and read all the feel-good reports about the terrific training efforts in the mainstream rags.’
‘HERE’S HOPING CONDON ISN’T MADE THE SCAPEGOAT IN GREYHHOUND FIASCO’
ALBERT WILLIAMS of REDCLIFFE, a regular contributor to the WEDNESDAY WHINGE, chimes in on the drama at the dogs this week:
‘AS a long-time follower of all three codes of racing in Queensland there is one thing that concerns me most about the latest inquiry ordered by the Government in the wake of this disgraceful live baiting expose in the greyhound industry.
Political witch-hunts would best describe the three inquiries held to date – the latest of course designed by the LNP Government to claim the scalps of the Bentley Board which it achieved.
The new Labor Government had little choice but to order an investigation into how the ‘live baiting’ of greyhounds was allowed to happen, especially after the damning footage shown on the 4 Corners program.
It was an inquiry, or review as the new Racing Minister described it, that had to happen. But Labor won few friends by their failure to stand down or ask for the resignations of the Greyhound Board.
My concern about the latest inquiry is this. The more I read about it the more I am convinced that RQ CEO Darren Condon is being set up as a convenient scapegoat.
It would be easy to chop his head off after the email from Animal Liberation Queensland warning him of the problem months ago somehow fell through the cracks. Whether his personal assistance was to blame or not the buck will stop with Condon.
And Condon should be looking over his shoulder and not expect too much support from the other ‘big two’ in the firing line over this debacle. I am talking about the RQ head honcho and his Integrity mate.
You can count on them looking after each other so don’t be surprised if Condon conveniently gets hung out to dry. One would hope those running this review will see through that before it happens. If Condon goes the other pair must face Dog Day Afternoon with him.’
‘JUST WHO IS ADVISING RACING QUEENSLAND ON THIS LIVE BAITING FIASCO?’ 
‘BARRY BONES’ of CAPALABA sends this thought provoking email concerning the greyhound dramas which are becoming increasingly embarrassing for those running racing in Queensland.
‘I can’t help myself. Somebody has to say something. Just who is advising Racing Queensland during this current live baiting fiasco?
Surely it’s not the Greyhound Board members – this merry band of three resilient fellows, who by some act of God have defied all reasonable explanations as to why they don’t do the right thing and simply resign over their pleaded ignorance of live baiting.
The Boards in NSW and Victoria did the ‘right’ thing. One could excuse barrister and ultimate Judge Michael Byrne, but as for the other pair to suggest during their long undistinguished careers in greyhound racing that they didn’t know live baiting existed is akin to saying that Shane Warne didn’t know what a text message was.
In bIn brief here are some of the amazing decisions made by RQ:
(1) (1) Ask all greyhound trainers to sign a statutory declaration saying, among other things, that they were unaware of live baiting and that they had never participated. A group got legal opinion and were told not to sign anything like this then RQ decides that on the day the form needed to be sent in it promptly advises licensees to forget about the form, don’t bother getting it signed and witnessed by which time most trainers had gone out of their way to do so.
(2) Bring in a rule that every dog that was trained or owned by a suspended person had to have three trials to see if live baiting was still present in its system. For goodness sake, what rot! How on earth is anyone going to tell by way of a trial if a dog is marred in any way by having participated in live baiting? Utter nonsense! Even the stewards don’t know what they are looking for when these dogs trial.
(3) Bring in another new rule that any artificial training lure must not have any organic matter or blood on it. That applies to using the skin off road kill wrapped around a child’s squeaky toy but what has blood got to do with it? Does RQ imply that greyhounds go for the smell and taste of blood? Again how misinformed can these people be? If this is the case any greyhound handler who has a cut on his body is likely to be attacked and savaged by one of these blood curdling monsters.
(4) A steward allegedly comes back from a greyhound trainer’s property and hands in two animal traps to someone in authority. What is done? Not a thing, if you are to believe reports.
(5) We all know of the well-worn case whereby the instigator of the 4 Corners story emailed RQ CEO Darren Condon to say that live baiting was going on and she wanted a meeting. Oops this one, as Condon says, ‘slipped through the cracks’.
( 6) RQ staff impound all suspected dogs, charge the owners $55 a day to look after them, then refuse to tell the owners where their dogs are and who is looking after them.
(7) RQ then brings in a temporary rule that no dogs can be transferred or registered while the live baiting scandal is happening. For the 90% of the industry who are clean, hard working owners and trainers, this is the ultimate insult. They can’t sell dogs. They can’t register dogs. So, essentially, the industry closes down. Someone obviously flicked a switch because RQ dropped the transfer rule earlier this week.
(8) They slug the greyhound industry prizemoney to pay an estimated $1.5 million for the Government-ordered Integrity Review when we are the only State in Australia where integrity is part of the whole operation and not divorced from administration. It’s a mirror image of the old Sir Joh days.
( 9) Then, if that’s not bad enough, they plan to spend another $3 million of industry funds, or should I say greyhound industry funds, seems the torch bearing slogan ‘We Run As One’ has died out. Another of RQ Chairman Kevin Dixon’s absymal flops. This is a review to see why live baiting got to the stage it is now. This is the third review (Inquiry) we have had into racing in Queensland and not one significant change has been adopted, nor has any action taken place as a result of recommendations made as a result of any of these prior reviews.
(10) Then the topper of all toppers. CEO Condon and Greyhound Board Chair Michael Byrne call an industry briefing for Tuesday night to front owners and trainers. BUT you had to register your name and had to submit any question in writing before the meeting. You were not allowed to ask any questions from the floor. This is an eon away from Dixon’s gagging orders of the Greyhound Board members when they were first elected. They were virtually told not to engage in any discussions with the participants who they were supposed to represent.
This could only happen in racing in Queensland.’
MUCH-NEEDED GREYHOUND PUBLICITY IS THERE NOW – FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS 
GARRY CLARKE of BUNDABERG sent this email concerning the greyhound industry woes in Queensland. (Unfortunately quite a deal had to be edited out for legal reasons – hopefully it still gets your message across Gary).
‘THE last couple of weeks has made up for at least the last 10 years of reporting on the greyhound industry both in The Courier Mail and local newspapers, where the code rarely rated a mention.
The sports pages, which once only carried gallops information, along with the various social media sites available on the internet, are now overflowing with negative information about what should have been bleeding obvious for many years to Racing Queensland Board members, staff, stewards, certain participants etc. They are all now ducking for cover.
The industry participants’ mantra has been for many years: ‘GREYHOUND PEOPLE MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN INDUSTRY.’ This statement is crap, since around the year 2000 greyhound people have been in control of their industry, some credible and others not, and it has been an unmitigated disaster.
In 2000 there were 13 racing tracks in this State. How many are still operating today? The answer is three. What happened to the other 10 tracks, who closed them, and why?
Simple, the same problem as today, so-called leaders at RQ with no administrative skills, no forecasting future skills, economic skills mostly non-existent, proven by large deficits starting with Chairman Dixon’s reign at $3 million and growing yearly for the last three to four years, (expected to be $10 million by 30 June 2015).
Chief Executive Officers appointed on ‘mate’s rates’, i.e. large pay packets for what? On the subject of pay packets the justracing website on 8 March 2015 posted figures from the Queensland Racing Ltd 2013/2014 Annual Report showing the CEO’s annual remuneration was $295,523. I wonder what it is today. I will leave that question to your imagination.
Having established there was a problem after the screening of the 4 Corners program on the ABC, it seems obvious that RQ hit the panic button without any due process being put in place as to how to handle the evidence. As a result seven people were named and were asked to show cause ‘why their licenses should not be suspended’ resulting in six being disqualified and a large number of greyhounds moved off their properties into other licensees’ kennels at a rather large costs to the industry/owners (rumored to be $55 per day per greyhound, no doubt to be met by other innocent licensees, or the owners of these greyhounds).
Next the Government thought it better get into the action and announced a Commission of Inquiry into the greyhound industry at a cost of $3 million. If you don’t know who is paying it is the poor old innocent greyhound industry licensee who behaved themselves and respected the Rules of Racing but copped it in the neck yet again.
RQ obviously thought it better be seen to be doing something, resulting in a $1.6 million levy being imposed on the industry. And guess what? The innocent licensees have again been left to foot the bill.
Next action RQ suspends any trade with the greyhound industry, no registrations, no transfers etc. Who cops it again – the innocent licensees of course?
Next action by RQ, all licensees had to sign a Statutory Declaration by 19 March 2015 with five statements regarding their behavior in the industry with regard to ‘live baiting of greyhounds,’ and if you did not sign, your nominations would not be accepted, a threat restricting your right to trade in the industry. Who did this effect or frighten whichever way you read the document – the innocent licensees again?
I believe this Stat Dec time-line has now been extended as hardly any licensees signed the document. I imagine if all licensees signed the document in its present form there may be no greyhounds to race. How then does RQ fulfill its Sky Chanel commitment?
This is now reaching a disastrous situation. And guess what the next action was - another 23 licensees have been stood down pending interviews?
The divisive actions spearheaded by the Boards of RQ leads to my next question: “Does RQ see this as an opportunity to continue to decimate the greyhound industry beyond repair with the sole aim to wind up greyhound racing in Queensland?”
On reflection, I am sure there are some people at RQ who would relish that thought, but stop for a moment, and procrastinate on how did this problem manifest itself? It is easy to answer this question: ‘POOR DECISION MAKING BY PEOPLE APPOINTED TO GOVERN RACING IN QUEENSLAND, WHO I BELIEVE TOOK THEIR EYES OFF THE BALL BY SUCCUMBING TO PRESSURE FROM MATES IN THE INDUSTRY – SO MUCH FOR AN INDEPENDENT CHAIRPERSON.’
Let me reiterate, all licensees who are left in the greyhound industry are very resilient and welcome the purge of these recalcitrants from this wonderful Industry.’
IT’S TIME FOR ‘BILL TO START BURNING SOME RUBBER’ AND LOP A FEW RQ HEADS 
STAN GOLSCHEWSKY of BRISBANE writes:
‘AT last we are starting to see some action at the station from Bill Byrne, the new Racing Minister in Queensland.
His decision to instruct Racing Queensland to stop work on the controversial new greyhound track at ‘Asbestos’ oops sorry, Cronulla Park, in Logan.
Not only should work be stopped on this facility pending the outcome of the Review into Greyhound Racing but it also should not be recommenced.
It’s a positive move from the new Minister – hopefully the sign of better things to come.
The message needs to get through to Mr Byrne. He should stop listening to dills in his department, some of whom reportedly got their jobs on the recommendation of heavies at RQ when the LNP was running the show.
More importantly heads need to roll at RQ, starting at the top with Kevin Dixon. If he doesn’t go in the wash-up of a lot of things, starting with this greyhound fiasco, then the new Minister will lose the confidence of many industry stakeholders and followers.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: HERE’S a Ministerial Media Release that the above email refers to:
MINISTER for Sport and Racing Bill Byrne has directed Racing Queensland to stop work on construction of a new greyhound track at Cronulla Park in Logan.
“I have issued a formal directive to Racing Queensland to cease work on the facility pending the outcome of the independent review into the greyhound racing industry that is now under way,” Minister Byrne said.
“In making this decision I have also considered advice from the Logan City Mayor, Councillor Pam Parker, that the local Council does not support the development.
“It is my view that it is in the best interests of the racing industry to pause the project at this time so that full consideration can be given to the conclusions of the review headed by Mr Alan MacSporran QC.
“The Government will reconsider this project in light of the findings of the MacSporran report.
“The review to determine how live-baiting was allowed to go undetected, which was announced on March 2, is taking submissions until the end of the month.
“The review is expected to take three months and will also consider how widespread live-baiting is in the Queensland greyhound racing industry and what changes are needed.
“Recently I received a request from Racing Queensland to approve the engagement of a contractor for the Cronulla Park project.
“I have not provided approval for any contractor to be engaged and will not while the direction is in place.”
A LIGHT-HEARTED LOOK AT A VERY SERIOUS MEETING OF DOG FOLK IN BRISBANE 
WE assume this email, sent by TOM BARKER, was very much tongue-in-cheek:
‘LAST night there was a greyhound industry meeting at Albion Park, where (RQ CEO) Darren Condon along with (Greyhound Board Chairman) Michael Byrne showcased new rules pertaining to the greyhound industry in a soggy sandwich effort to display belatedly that the hierarchy welcomes consultation.
At some stage through the evening, into the room sauntered, to the appropriate music, a pleasing young woman dressed in a great coat whereupon she faced the audience and flashed her coat to reveal a stunning curvaceous bikini clad figure thus live baiting the audience.
At that moment an official leapt to his feet shouting, “You are tainted. We have reason to believe you have been exposed to a practice which could compromise your welfare. Your moral fibre is of uncertain value.”
Stunned, the audience murmured amongst themselves until a line of police officers who had been viewing footage of trainers’ reaction seized a number of the male audience whisking them away.
The official went on to further announce that these individuals would have to undergo three trials within a minimum of three weeks with doctors and nurses in attendance. Replicated, true-to-life trials of varying stimulation would gauge a trainer’s reaction by:
A. Checking for an increased pulse rate.
B. Pupil dilation.
C. Testicular response similar to an Army entrance physical where they will be asked to cough.
The offenders will need to sign a Stat Dec stating that they will promptly inform RQ if one is aware of anyone exhibiting similar behavior.
It has been observed that industry participants now greet each other by saying ‘cough’ or simply a humble cough.
*Note this is not an administrative error.
** The ABC “The Chasers” are very interested in acting out any scenarios and will contact RQ.
‘WHAT A MESS THIS BUNCH RUNNING RQ HAVE GOT IS INTO WITH OUR TRACKS’ 
THIS email was contributed by a PROMINENT OWNER who asked that his identity not be revealed at the request of his trainer:
‘I have been sitting on the sidelines for some time now eager to contribute to your Wednesday Whinge but reluctant as there appears to be enough ammunition for racing folk to comment on each week since this new RQ regime took the reins.
I have had a close involvement in Brisbane racing for many years as an owner but now feel the need to comment, not so much on the present situation, but what looms in the near future.
Right now we have four what I would class ‘city’ tracks – Doomben, Gold Coast, Ipswich and Eagle Farm. With the temporary loss of Toowoomba and Eagle Farm the four remaining tracks are being raced constantly and as anyone can see all these tracks are already showing signs of wear and tear.
But it’s just coming to the end of March. What are these tracks going to be like in six to eight weeks’ time?
Toowoomba will still be a basket case and even if it gets back to being raced on only the locals and travelling hobby trainers would bother to use this poor excuse of a racetrack thanks to Dixon, Frappell and Co.
Ipswich, Doomben and Sunny Coast will all have had the ‘guts’ raced out of their tracks and when the cold weather hits and grass goes into a dormant stage what will we be left with – four tracks that will resemble goat tracks?
It’s bad enough now with bias being the operative word and all these four tracks showing the signs of wear and tear in a climate which suits growing of grass.
From what I gather the caretaker for these remaining four tracks is the same guy who was responsible for Eagle Farm and what a disaster it turned out to be – to such an extent it had to be closed down and remade.
Another right royal mess you have gotten us into, Olly err I mean Kevin.’
SACK RACE AND DONUT EATING CONTEST – ALL GOOD FUN AT THE FAIR FOR RQ STAFF 
HERE are a couple of interesting emails that we received from our SPY at the DEAGON BUNKER during the week:
‘CAN you believe that while the industry in this state is in absolute turmoil that Racing Queensland decided to hold a good old-fashioned fun day for the staff which for some of us was quite embarrassing?
While an endless list of greyhound trainers were having their heads lopped off at inquiries inside the bunker, in the nearby surrounds at Deagon (not far away enough for many) staff were enjoying a knees-up, motivational party.
They even circulated an official program which listed the afternoon’s proceedings:
1pm: Fair opens – food, drinks and activities ready to go!
1.30: Official welcome to the Deagon Country Fair
1.45: Major Activities begin.
3.30: Judging of Best Dressed and Event Winners presentations.
Staff was told in the ‘flyer’:
There are a couple of things you need to do before you come to the Fair. Together with your ‘quadrant’ of the office, nominate competitors to represent you for the following events:
Sack race – two people per quadrant (someone suggested Bob Frappell was coming down from Toowoomba to share a sack with his good mate Kevin Dixon)
Apple bobbing – one person per quadrant (were Wade Birch and Allan Reardon favorites to get to the ‘core’ of the matter? Should this have been replaced by a ‘find the live bait trap competition or Pin the Tail on the greyhound for the entire Integrity Department?)
Donut eating competition – per quadrant (story goes Greyhound Board member Steve Hawkins was barred from competing – they didn’t have a truck load of Crispy Creams)
Tug of War (women v men) – no nominations needed, teams formed on the day (**comment on this one removed at Editor’s discretion, leave it to your imagination**).
Participants keen to test their skills at conquering the mechanical horse were required to sign a waiver and return it to the Training Department. (Someone suggested they should have invited a veteran Deagon trainer over to compete due to his proven skills at jumping political horses mid-stream).
Finally there was a reminder for those attending to crack out their best country gear – yee ha – hat, boots and whatever. Perhaps the Chairman could have borrowed one of those big buckles or silly hats from that cowboy mate of his up on the Downs.
How RQ could allow, let alone organize this massive waste of staff time and money, at a time when the industry is going down the gurgler, beggars belief.’
TOUGH TIMES WHEN RQ STEWARDS HAVE TO PUT FUEL COSTS ON THEIR OWN TAB
AND we also received this one from OUR SPY in the DEAGON BUNKER as well:
‘STEWARDS, especially those in country areas, are up in arms at a directive just received from little King Kev’s administrative mate, Adam Carter, who directs the finances at RQ. (You might remember him as the one who reportedly went on a timely holiday and missed answering some interesting questions regarding the Chairman at the latest Racing Inquiry).
It seems there has been a major change in policy involving the use of motor vehicles for work purposes – or more specifically filling them with fuel.
Stewards apparently have been told that in future they have to pay for the petrol needed in their vehicles and claim reimbursement at the end of each month.
While this may not be any big deal for those working in city areas, their country cousins are going to do it tough if they have to pay up front out of their own pockets and wait for a month or more for reimbursements.
They cover hundreds of kilometres getting to race meetings in the regional areas where fuel is not a cheap commodity.
At a time when ‘junkets’ are very much being talked about at RQ, this latest edict has not gone down well with those at the coalface in the country.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: WE sought an explanation from RQ on this and were told that some of the detail was incorrect. In a tightening of the belt approach staff members, including the CEO, no longer have corporate cards. As for the fuel situation with stewards they can claim reimbursement for costs incurred on Monday and these will be paid on Tuesday.
‘IS THERE ANY PROBLEM WITH RQ CEO OWNING SMALL SHARE IN THREE HORSES’? 
THIS is an email received from a LICENSEE on the SUNSHINE COAST who asked that we not use his identity. We have chosen not to run some sections of this email.
‘I have a serious issue to raise and as I am a current licensee I would like my identity withheld as I fear that my speaking out is likely to be held against me.
There are many licensees concerned by this issue but due to the position held by the individual no one wants to raise this concern via the appropriate channels.
I witnessed an issue at the Caloundra trials on 3 March that brings into question the entire credibility of RQL as a control body.
The issue is that the most senior executive of RQL, Darren Condon, the person whom those responsible for the allocation of barrier draws, handicap weights, starts in races, race programming, and more importantly, the stewards, was at the trials flaunting his ownership in a racehorse.
How can the senior most person responsible for racing in this State be permitted to own a racehorse when he is control of all the staff that undertake core functions such as handicapping, programming, stewarding and allocation of barrier draws and race starts?
The question must be asked: Is the Board of RQL aware that this is occurring? Surely this couldn’t be approved by the Board?
In addition to the above, one must ask whether it is appropriate for Darren Condon to be promoting the services offered by one trainer over another. A tweet from Darren Condon being distributed amongst licensees states: “Glad to have @kendrickracing1 as my trainer very competitive”
Most that I have spoken to feel that this is also highly inappropriate.
I am a very up front person but as mentioned I cannot jeopardize my livelihood by raising this concern directly with RQL. I am sick of this being spoken about at the track each day and no one wanting to raise this issue.
I felt that this approach would bring this out into the open and would enable RQL to determine if the actions of Darren Condon are appropriate.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: WE don’t have a problem with Darren Condon racing or sharing interests in the ownership of horses. After all this is an accepted policy not only in Queensland but interstate. RQ Chairman Kevin Dixon races horses, so does the ARB Chairman John Messara and many others. We raised the issues brought to our attention with Mr Condon and he advised that his ownership, a five per cent share in three horses, had been listed with the Conflict of Interest Register at RQ. He felt that by owning shares in horses he was supporting the industry that paid his wages.
OH SHUCKS NOT ANOTHER TRACK DISASTER ‘THAT RQ SEEMS CONTENT TO IGNORE’ 
STU WILLS, a regular contributor from the DOWNS, sent this email:
‘HEADS should roll over this disaster which saw the Gatton track unfit for last Thursday’s race meeting.
If the story – emanating from stakeholders in the area – is correct that a ‘track expert’ from RQ declared the track ‘safe’ for racing only to have his decision subsequently overturned, then he should be sacked.
This isn’t the first time this goose – we won’t name him – has been proven wrong when it comes to track safety and perhaps RQ should stop protecting his position and get someone to replace him who knows what they are talking about.
This was a disaster waiting to happen at Gatton and the meeting should have been transferred elsewhere long before the enforced cancellation. Prizemoney continues to be lost to the industry – starting with Gatton and continuing at Saturday with meetings washed out at Gold Coast and Doomben.
By the way doesn’t anyone in the Turf Department at The Courier-Mail read the Media Releases from RQ or do they rely solely on the ‘Bat Phone’ between the Turf Editor and his good mate, the RQ Chairman, for all the ‘hot, exclusive’ information.
Despite a Media Release confirming the Gatton meeting was off being distributed a day earlier the CM still headed their Thursday form guide with all the information on this meeting. What a waste of space when sport – especially the racing codes - is battling for coverage in the major daily.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: I am reliably informed it was another non-entity that caused the Form Guide problems – or as my contact said that ‘useless bunch at RISA procrastinated until it was too late to remove the Gatton meeting from the Form Guide.’ It’s a dead-heat for who is running last in the ‘what can we do to root the punters stakes in OZ racing between RISA and SKY but in my opinion the latter wins easily and we don’t even need a photo to determine the finish.
‘THE TIME HAS COME FOR POOR OLD RAZOR TO RIDE OFF INTO THE SUNSET’ 
PERCY SMITH, another regular Victorian contributor with a dislike for all things racing north of the border, sent this email:
‘RACING NSW Chief Steward Ray Murrihy should be the last one to question the ‘legal’ credentials of anyone – let alone the best stipe in the land in Terry Bailey.
Murrihy was virtually laughed out of court when taken to Britain as an ‘expert’ witness in a racing case some time ago. If my recollection serves me well the credibility of his evidence was questioned by the judge in that case.
Murrihy, who is past his use-by date, got his knickers in a knot because of a comment made by the Victorian Chief Steward Bailey concerning the cobalt threshold.
Sydney Morning Herald turf scribe Chris Roots, another ‘racing media mate’ of Murrihy, was drawing an extra long bow when he suggested that Bailey had broken the unwritten rule of not commenting on any inquiry that is in process.
All he was doing was answering a question on Melbourne Racing Radio about retrospective cobalt investigations. Poor old Ray just can’t cop another steward with a difference of opinion to his or more to the point one who enjoys more respect from the majority of Australian punters than he does.’
EDITOR’S NOTE: HERE is the story by CHRIS ROOTS in the SMH that the above email refers to:
The relationship between Racing NSW and Racing Victoria stewards has reached a new low after comments made by Terry Bailey about retrospective cobalt investigations on Melbourne’s RSN radio on Wednesday.
With the penalty for Darren Smith’s 40 cobalt charges to be announced on Friday, the RV chief steward was asked about retrospectively testing without a threshold.
“I’m no lawyer but I don’t know really how you go down the track of enforcing a rule that wasn’t in place at the time,” Bailey offered.
It broke the unwritten rule of not commenting on any inquiry that is in process and led to a rebuke by Racing NSW chief steward Murrihy
“Terry has one thing right, he is not a lawyer,” Murrihy said.
Smith will learn his fate on Friday morning. He has already indicated he will be appealing.
NOTHING NEW ABOUT SKY CENTRAL – JUST MORE BORING CRAP FROM TALKING HEADS 
DOUG ALBERTS of MELBOURNE writes:
‘WITH much pomp and ceremony SKY CENTRAL was launched on Golden Slipper day and in the eyes of most stay-at-home punters it was pretty much an anti-climax.
There was plenty of criticism on Twitter and other social media outlets with most claiming it was still the same boring service with little new that punters have come to expect from Sky.
But it is the hand that we have now been dealt without any race broadcast opposition to Sky unless on special days you want to tune into commercial television.
The one thing I cannot understand is how many hosts does it take to run a show at Sky? And another question being asked is why do they need to fly a special Clerk of the Course lady from Brisbane to all the big race meetings? Isn’t there a local capable of sitting on a horse while they ask the pertinent questions of the winning jockey?
It’s bad enough tuning out from one talking head talking rubbish but when you have two or three of them all agreeing with one another and trying to express their expert opinion there is only one course of action – go immediately for the MUTE BUTTON, turn them off and just watch the pictures.
To make matters worse you can tune to another useless threesome on Sundays when all you get are more and more losers from ‘Tony the Terrific Tipster’ and when he does manage to tip a winner they crack out the champagne like it is a rare event. They aren’t wrong about that.
It doesn’t matter how big a monopoly Sky has, or whether they repackage it as Central or Shit City, in the eyes of most punters – especially the Victorians – it will never measure up to the standard of TVN.’
SURELY VRC HAS NOT SOLD OUT TO SPORTSBET ON MELBOURNE CUP COVERAGE 
STEFAN MEIER of PASCOE VALUE SOUTH also made a contribution on the ridiculous broadcast situation in Victoria:
‘WE are now a couple of weeks into the ‘New Era Master Plan’ of Racing Victoria and its racing club affiliates for live broadcasting of Victorian races.
Let's set aside for one moment the data cost aspect of all the ‘free’ vision bouncing around the State on mobile phones and tablets.
This week came the stunning announcement from Bernard Saundry that Sportsbet are the first corporate to sign up for live vision.
Some press releases even had words to the effect of ‘Wherever you are you can now watch the Melbourne Cup on your phone, even while playing golf’. This one statement got me thinking. As far as I know, the Spring Carnival broadcast deal is struck between the VRC and Channel Seven and the major races on each of the four days has at least for the last couple of decades been a Channel Seven closed deal. Not Racing Network, not Sky Channel not anybody have been able to broadcast these races live.
But seemingly Sportsbet have broken the shackles and done the deal! Uhhm, just hold on one second there eh. How many readers out there think with its track record the VRC are going to jeopardize their Channel Seven yearly gravy train of cash and suddenly allow a rival to broadcast their ‘exclusive’ races. Even TVN, owned in part by the VRC, couldn't get it done, let alone anyone else.
Well here's my market for 3pm on the first Tuesday in November for Sportsbet customers and their devices, of what will be showing on their screens:
1) Live Coverage of the Melbourne Cup is one million to one.
2) ‘Due to Contractual Restrictions a replay of this race will be shown shortly’ is one hundred to one.
Maybe Sportsbet can frame a market themselves. Until someone from the VRC comes out and states catagoricaly that the Melbourne Cup, Derby, Oaks and Stakes are no longer ‘Live and Exclusive to Channel 7’ and can be watched online this year, sorry I'm not buying a word of it. Caveat Emptor.
In the meantime the stupidity rolls on and the TAB still don't have Victorian vision online. Is what Racing Victoria really saying: ‘Open an account with Sportsbet. We'd prefer you wager with the people who contribute a whole lot less than the TAB does to fund racing and pay our salaries’. It really is beyond belief. Of course the talks continue while we punters can just like it or lump it. Maybe we will, it's not like it's 1945 and racing is the only thing to have a punt on!
EDITOR’S NOTE: NOT being a big fan of the influence that Sky has, especially now that it is run by some of the ‘pretenders’ from Racing NSW, I was appalled to read the piece by Terry Butts in his Silks & Saddles column this week. He suggested the reason that RQ would program another transferred Townsville meeting on the Home Hill track which has been declared dangerous by jockeys after a nasty fall there recently was because Sky have their coverage facilities set up at that venue. When will racing wake up and stop these dills at SKY Channel from calling the shots?
PUNTERS SICK OF LAME EXCUSES FOR FORM REVERSALS FROM WALLER WINNERS 
GLEN HOOPER of SYDNEY sent this email:
‘THE domination of Gai Waterhouse on Golden Slipper day somewhat overshadowed how bad the results were for ‘champion trainer’ Chris Waller.
Before one of his fans start reminding me that he did have a feature winner, perhaps they should look closely at its form.
Permit, at $19, was the roughest of the four Waller-trained runners in the Group 3 Manion Cup. Stablemates Bagman (ran 3rd at $4.4), Grand Marshal (4th a $7) and Diametric ($8.5, led and ran last).
Now it’s nothing new for the roughie of the Waller starters to win a race. But how Permit managed to complete this massive form reversal remains a mystery despite the stable’s explanation.
They used the extra distance of the Manion Cup as an excuse for his improvement. Permit had finished 10th of 12 in the Canberra Cup at his previous start – he was fourth to the turn and stopped as if he was shot finishing nearly 15 lengths behind the winner Faust. He went backwards over a shorter trip there so how could a longer journey possibly help him.
His only placing at his last six starts had been a well beaten second in a Listed race at Randwick in January. It’s a wonder he wasn’t $51 instead of $19 last Saturday.
When questioned regarding the improved performance, a Waller stable representative (the champion trainer obviously wasn’t required to attend) said Permit was a gelding that could mix its form. The only factors he could put forward to explain was the step up in distance and getting down in the weights.
In the case of Diametric his explanation was the reverse – the poor performance of that horse was blamed on the rise in trip on Saturday.
Stewards, as usual, just noted the explanation and took no action instead of barring both horses for a month and requiring them to trial and show some consistency before being allowed to start again.’
So there you have it – the same old story with the Waller form reversals – questions asked but little or no action taken – so the punters can just please themselves.’
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.