NATIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF NT GAMBLING LAWS OVERHAUL
NEW laws governing the conduct of gambling companies are expected to be debated, and passed, by the Northern Territory Parliament this week.
THOMAS MORGAN reports for ABCNEWS that while the NT is Australia's least populated jurisdiction, these laws will govern betting companies across the country.
The reforms have been criticised by anti-gambling experts, and there are allegations that the NT's regulator of gambling and betting is suffering from "regulatory capture".
Here's what you need to know.
WHY DO BETTING COMPANIES LIKE THE TERRITORY?
THE Northern Territory has become the de facto place for wagering service providers (WSPs) to be based due to its low taxes and fees, according to a Federal Review of the regulation of the gambling industry that concluded last year.
One submission described the NT's governance of these companies as a "light touch".
Overall 32 sports bookmakers and two betting exchanges — which collectively earn $50 billion a year — are regulated by the NT Racing Commission.
And the NT, with an economy of just $32 billion, affords these companies more freedom than other jurisdictions.
One of those freedoms includes allowing gambling companies to offer inducements such as vouchers and credit to attract customers.
WHAT ARE THE PROPOSED REFORMS?
THE Racing and Wagering Bill 2024 will reform the NT Racing Commission into the Racing and Wagering Commission.
Complaints about the conduct of gambling companies by Australian customers are heard by the Racing Commission, and these responsibilities will be transferred across to the new Commission.
The reforms are set to be debated this week in NT Parliament, and they're likely to pass given the Government's overall majority in parliament.
The Territory's Labor Government said the reforms would modernise "very out of date" laws.
They specify that WSPs must have a physical presence, such as an office in the Territory, if they wish to be regulated by the NT.
The proposed law also threatens WSPs with a series of offences, including fines of up to $440,000 if they fail to comply with a condition of their licences.
Decisions made by the Commission or its director can be reviewed in the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
A new Racing and Wagering Fund levy will be introduced on bookmaker profits, but the NT Government said it hasn't yet decided what rate this new tax will be.
WHAT IS HAPPENING AT A FEDERAL LEVEL?
THE Federal Review recommended the regulation of all gambling across Australia be taken away from States and Territories and rested with the Commonwealth.
It also recommended the banning of inducements, like those allowed in the NT, and phasing out online gambling advertising and sponsorship.
The report, published in June 2023, heard that the NT's regulatory process had been "captured" by the industry and was "light-touch" in its treatment of WSPs.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was "examining" the Review, and pointed to steps already taken such as tougher rules around advertising, and restricting the use of credit cards for online gambling.
"There's more to do and we will be doing more," he said.
WHAT DO STAKEHOLDERS SAY?
THE peak body for the online wagering industry, Responsible Wagering Australia, said it supported strong sanctions on providers that broke the Rules.
"RWA members offer world-leading consumer protections and we support measures by Governments that bring other wagering providers up to the standards that our members already operate on," Chief Cxecutive Kai Cantwell said.
But the Alliance for Gambling Reform Chief Executive Carol Bennett said the NT Government had watered down its proposed reforms during the consultation process.
Ms Bennett said 28 gambling companies and just one harm-minimisation organisation were consulted over draft laws, and penalties were watered down based on that feedback.
She said the Federal Government urgently needed to step in and take over regulating the industry.
TIME FOR GOVERNMENT TO GIVE RQ GREEN LIGHT ON ALBION PARK
THE foresight of former Brisbane Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk, hopefully will realize the dream of Kevin Seymour, who for so long saved harness racing in Queensland, and see Albion Park remain the true home of the sport.
Quirk, head of a Review Panel into venues for the Brisbane Olympics, has ruled the old ‘Creek’ out as a suitable site. It’s fantastic news for harness racing and shows once again the understanding of all codes by Quirk, current thoroughbred representative on the Racing Queensland Board who hopefully will become Chairman after the next election.
‘Crash’ Craddock, a great harness fan, sums up the situation perfectly in this article in the Murdoch Media, which we republish below rather than reproduce it in our own form:
QUEENSLAND harness racing has a golden chance to reinvent its tired but treasured home at Albion Park after it was given the thumbs down as an Olympic venue.
A review by a panel led by former Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has found that the inner city pacing venue, initially commissioned to be an indoor venue for the 2032 Games with sports such as basketball and badminton, is unsuitable for several reasons.
They include poor proximity to transport, the huge cost of relocation for the trots, disruption to local residents, the loss of “mature’’ trees and the likelihood that nearby Brothers Leagues Club would have to be rebuilt.
It is not a formality the recommendation that Albion Park be scrapped as an Olympic venue will be endorsed by the State Government but Olympic sources expect that will be the case.
In the expectation it would have to move sites, harness racing purchased acreage at the flood-prone, mosquito-infested region of Norwell north of the Gold Coast but there is now no appetite from the industry to make that move.
Instead, Albion Park officials are likely to push for an exciting plan to future-proof Albion Park by building apartments on the vast tracts of open land at the track to bankroll the development of on-site stables and modernise the venue’s ancient grandstand.
The state’s biggest owner, Kevin Seymour, has been pushing for this type of proposal for several years and may yet get his wish in what could be his most significant legacy for the industry.
There is a feeling that in forward-thinking Albion Park boss Ken Rutherford, a former New Zealand Test cricketer who has an experienced background in racing administration, the club has the right administrator for the right time.
It is likely when Quirk’s plan is announced on Monday Albion Park officials will swiftly offer their endorsement and start the push to stay where they are.
The sites undergoing further investigation as replacement Olympic venues include the Northside Wizards basketball facility at Zillmere and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre at Boondall.
Harness racing officials had been lobbying for the Boondall site to be redeveloped, feeling it was a more sensible option than uprooting their industry.
HOOFNOTE: The time has arrived for the Government to bite the bullet on Albion Park and give Racing Queensland the green light to proceed with this project and provide a home that harness racing deserves, especially for those of us who hold such fond memories of the sport’s heyday. And perhaps they could build a monument at the front gate to the latest superstar – arguably the best of all time – LEAP TO FAME.
RACING QUEENSLAND BOSS UNDER FIRE OVER HIS ‘BLIP’ COMMENT
RACING Queensland boss Jason Scott has unfortunately been caught in the crossfire after describing the problems that served up a track that was a disgrace for the $2mn QTIC Jewel meeting at the Gold Coast on Saturday as a ‘blip’.
CEO Scott told ‘Big Ben’ Dorries of Racenet: “We have had 24 months of good Saturday tracks in Queensland, despite some of the panic that is happening from people who should know better, this is a blip and not a long-term problem with the track.
Scott conceded the state of the new Gold Coast track, which played magnificently on Magic Millions day, was ‘simply not good enough on Saturday’ which has prompted the GCTC to move next weekend’s meeting to the Poly to give the turf track a month-long break.
Top trainer Tony Gollan led the volley of criticism blasting the sandy surface which saw significant kickback and on-speed runners favoured all day. They aren’t wearing the Scott argument that insufficient water was applied to the track in the lead-up to the rich feature day and query if that is what happens in future will the surface be waterlogged for racing.
“Racing Queensland the Gold Coast Turf Club are both really disappointed and committed to rectifying it,” Scott said Greg Puckeridge (senior track & racecourse manager) from Racing Queensland and (track curator) Nevesh (Ramdhani) at the Gold Coast Turf Club were working together on rectifying the problem.
Despite a lot of commentary on social media, Scott insists cool heads will prevail when it comes to the new Gold Coast track. For that to happen he needs to win back the confidence on stakeholders, especially punters, as indicated by the feedback LGHR has received.
OWNERS HOPES NOSEDIVED AFTER COUPLE OF RACES AT GOLD COAST
HERE’S what the PART-OWNERS of one of the feature races on the day had to say:
‘IN the days leading up to our horse contesting the richest race of his career we were extremely confidence despite the fact he was a backmarker.
But after we watched several races not only did we know he had no chance of winning but we doubted he could run a place and that turned out to be what happened.
It was a major disappointment. You don’t get these opportunities every week of the year. A badly prepared track deprived us of the chance for our biggest pay day and then the RQ CEO suggests it’s just a blip on the radar and that in four weeks’ time the track will be back to the standard it was on Magic Millions day. That’s not much good to us.
We agree with Tony Gollan who questioned why this meeting was run when the Gold Coast track was obviously not ready. Saying sorry is simply not good enough.’
‘HOW CAN JOCKEY GIVE A HORSE EVERY CHANCE ON BIASSED TRACK?’
AND this one from a punter who says it’s hard enough to back a winner in Queensland without having to contend with a ‘goat’ track:
‘If a jockey rides a horse in a race and doesn’t give it every opportunity to win he can face charges.
But if a track manager or a club prepares a track that doesn’t give every runner its opportunity to win, that’s racing.
When it was obvious early in the day that the Gold Coast track was going to be blatantly biased towards front-runners, why didn’t stewards make a statement to that affect or abandon the meeting?
Why didn’t the racing media, especially SKY, highlight this sad aspect of racing on Saturday rather than waiting until late in the day to mention it?
That was in contrast to Magic Millions Day when all they could day was praise this beautiful new surface especially the Track Curator, the club and RQ. How about a bit of objectivity from the SKY presenters?’
‘RQ NEEDS TO INTERVENE WHERE GCTC RELUCTANT ON RHAMDANI’
AND this one from an INDUSTRY SOURCE who wishes to remain anonymous for obvious reasons:
‘THE track isn’t the only thing that needs fixing on the Gold Coast – the problems with those working on it and their superiors are just as bad.
Something needs to be done to correct feelings which are running high between Nevesh Rhamdhani (is he still the Track Curator or has he resigned and a replacement been found from Scone?) and some of his track staff.
Whenever the track plays well Rhamdhani seems to be front and centre happy to take all the praise. But when things turn sour like Saturday where is he to make an explanation for the state of the track – nowhere to be found?
There are those – trainers, officials and track staff – who blame the current problems with the track on the Rhamdhani my-way-or-the-highway approach to maintenance. They say he isn’t interested in listening to ways to correct the mess created.
It’s fine for RQ CEO Jason Scott to blame criticism of Rhamdhani on social media. Perhaps it’s time he got more involved in finding out what is really going on behind the scenes on and off the track at the Gold Coast instead of just listening to some of the officials who are in the Rhamdhani camp.’
‘SLAUGHTER JOBS’ ON FAVORITES OCCURRING TOO OFTEN IN SYDNEY
ANOTHER week in Sydney racing with what punters describe as ‘slaughter jobs’ of heavily-backed topliners by leading jockeys.
How much longer is internationally experienced Chief Stipe Steve Railton and his panel going to allow this to continue?
Punters are becoming terrified to back favourites in Sydney racing after a series have been badly ridden (the apologists say the victim of bad luck) in recent months.
First it was the Nash Rawiller ride on Buenos Noches a couple of weeks back and then on Sasturday it was Rawiller again on Private Eye and Sam Clipperton on Think About It.
Trainer Joe Pride has publicly declared that he wasn’t happy with the rides on his short-priced favorites – Private Eye (which ran 6th in the Challenge Stakes) and Think About it (runner-up in the Canterbury Stakes).
As usual there was no criticism of the rides from the jockeys’ spin doctor Corey Brown or any of his co-hosts on SKY but that’s what the punters have come to expect.
Here’s what the Stewards reported:
PRIVATE EYE: When questioned regarding his riding, Nash Rawiller stated that he had no specific instructions, but he was hoping that from the outside barrier he might be able to obtain a position near midfield. He said he allowed Private Eye to race where comfortable in the early stages, however, the gelding was not able to maintain the tempo that was being set and ultimately this resulted in Private Eye settling at the rear of the small field behind the eventual winner, Passive Aggressive. He said that between the 600m and the 400m he continuously niggled at his mount to have it maintain the back of Passive Aggressive, and soon after straightening commenced to ride with more urgency, however, Private Eye did not initially give any response, with Passive Aggressive quickening away from his mount. He said that it was not until the final 100m that Private Eye commenced to give any response and closed off well. He added that, in his view, Private Eye may not have been suited by again racing the 1000m journey.
THINK ABOUT IT: When questioned, Sam Clipperton stated that from the outside barrier he was required to settle at the rear of the field. He said that the pace in the middle stages was moderate, which resulted in Think About It, which was racing first-up, commencing to over-race. He said that as he felt it would have been detrimental to fight against his mount to have it remain racing at the rear of the field, he allowed the gelding to roll forward to get into a comfortable rhythm, which required Think About It to travel wide and without cover from approaching the 700m.
In both cases there were legitimate excuses and hardly any cause for action. But from a punters’ perspective when Rawiller draws wide on favourites that have no early pace expect them to settle last which carries a warning if you are planning to take the ‘shorts’.
‘WAS IT EVER ANY HOPE OF BEING AN ALL STAR MILE’?
REGULAR contributor PETER MAIR sent this email:
WHILE the outcome of the so-called 'Star Mile' looks predictable enough, it is questionable for RVL to be recruiting 'falling stars' to clutter a WFA field over a 'cd' that is prone to rough outcomes.
What is the RVL pitch -- hang on for $70,000 for running 6th to 12th?
Born as a retaliation, compromised by the nonsense of runners voted-in, RVL, too slow to give ground, is now compounding the error by 'buying' a second-tier racefield with $450,000 to be shared among the 6th to 12ths. This is not on!
RVL is putting another card up the sleeve of those concerned about administrators compromising quality and integrity -- substituting an inflated field with fixed-odds corporates will be the main beneficiaries.
What goes on at RVL when they review the quality of the racing product they serve up to punters paying the freight?
As Racenet says, tongue-in-cheek, as usual:
Racing Victoria officials will resemble politicians during a leadership spill in the lead-up to Tuesday's deadline to compile the field for Saturday's All-Star Mile at Caulfield.
RV has 12 runners confirmed to tackle the $3.6m event but will be working the phones with Australia's top stables in a bid to secure a full field of 16 horses.
This 'all, or-any, or-none Star-Mile' should be abandoned.
ANOTHER SIX STARTERS SCRATCHED IN BUSH BECAUSE OF NO RIDERS
GREG BLANCHARD of GOLD COAST makes his weekly contribution.
‘LET me start by saying one hopes that the Gold Coast track is fixed sooner rather than later.
Sadly it was another weekend in the bush where horses had to be scratched because no riders were available.
This included three at Springsure, two at Mt Isa and one at Barcaldine.
Where are these Hong Kong apprentices that were first promised 12 months ago. I’m thinking of the song ‘The Twelfth Of Never’.’
WEEKEND WATCHDOG
RANDWICK
TWO favourites successful on the 10-race card which is becoming par for the course in Sydney – backing the ‘shorties’ is becoming a no-go zone.
LEKVARTE $4.2 in the Aspiration and TINTOOKIE heavily-backed into $4.4, and a major improver, where the two top fancies to win.
Aren’t these Midways great races for punters – last Saturday’s won by KINGSTON CHARM at $61, it had been placed at Wyong and Canberra since a spell?
INFANCY $26 in the Fireball and LADY LAGUNA $11 in the Canterbury Stakes were the other UPSET winners on the card.
FLEMINGTON
ONLY two favorites were successful on the reduced eight-race card at FLEMINGTON for SUPER SATURDAY – HEDGED at $2.7 and YOUNG WERTHER at $2.35.
The only winner in double figures on the day was CYLINDER at $11 in the Group 1 Newmarket for Godolphin and Jamie Kah.
GOLD COAST
THE least said about this embarrassment for Queensland racing the better. TWO favorites were successful on the 10-race card – CHINNY BOOM at $1.45 and BRING ME KASH at $3.9, arguably would never have started as short had there been no track bias.
The disgraceful state of the track, which gave back-markers next to no hope, saw results that floored punters like JOE MAMA $15, BEEF WEEK PRINCESS $51, THIS IS ONE $51 and LEGAL ESPRIT $10.
MURRAY BRIDGE
NOTHING unusual where racing in South Australia is a ‘wealth hazard’ for punters and only one favorite was successful on the nine-race card – that was PROVEN CORRECT $2.6 in the Maiden Plate.
Worst results for punters were PRINCE JOFRA $10 and OVERSTRIKE $21.
MORPHETTVILLE (on Monday when ADELAIDE CUP was run)
THREE favorites were successful but there was hardly an upset on the day with the longest priced winner EXCELLERATION at $4.4 in the Adelaide Cup and it was plunged. BOOKIES had an absolute black-out.
IT’S GROUNDHOG DAY – GOLD COAST TRACK AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE
HOW was the Gold Coast Turf Club allowed to run a feature race day on such a disgraceful track that was produced today (Saturday)?
That’s the question stakeholders, from owners to trainers, jockeys and especially punters, were asking after the Jewel Day degenerated into a farce.
The reasons why the new Gold Coast track has been saved for this meeting – with racing switched to the despised Poly in recent weeks, became evident after only a single race had been run.
As one reader emailed us, ‘It’s like racing at Birdsville on grass. The dust and kickback is unbelievable and unacceptable.’
When all the bouquets were being tossed around after opening day on the new track, curator Nevesh Ramdhani was front and centre copping all the pats on the back. Today he went Missing In Action.
A source told LGHR: ‘Some say he was there today (if so hard to find) and others reckoned he was interstate on the biggest day of racing here since the Magic Millions. Whatever he went MIA when questions needed to be answered.’
Another suggested that he has resigned or is leaving the GCTC and is moving back to Sydney or NSW with a new curator having been appointed from Scone.
“It’s groundhog day. It’s my-way-or-the-highway when it comes to maintenance of the new track by Nevesh. Story goes he won’t water the track and instead of soil adds sand thus the reason for all the dust and kickback today.”
SKY commentators, happy to boast about the new track on Magic Millions Day, seemed reluctant to bag or even talk about it today.
Eventually, winning trainers being interviewed spoke of the leader-bias and disadvantage of being back in the field. After the 2nd last of 10 races, Bernadette Cooper referred to ‘horses getting a lot of kickback.’
Punters who backed horses that settled back did their money cold. The Stewards' Report told the tale of woe with poor performances being blamed on horses not handling the track or the kickback.
If the QRIC Stewards aren’t prepared to put a ‘please explain’ to the Club and its Track Curator (whoever he is – in the case of Ramdhani many believe it’s another groundhog day of his career), then Racing Queensland needs to step in ASAP.
These are the questions that stakeholders want answered:
WHAT is being done to eradicate the kickback and dust that resulted in bias towards the on-pacers at the Jewel meeting? Can they be assured of a level playing field at future meetings on the new track?
WILL this mean more racing on the despised Poly track will the problem is corrected at a time when even the Sunshine Coast is using its cushion as a back-up despite stakeholders making officialdom well aware they don’t want to race there?
IS Nevesh Rhamdani still the Track Curator? If so, where was he when a major meeting was being held at the Gold Coast? If he was interstate, why? If he was present why didn't he front the SKY cameras to explain the state of the track.
IF he has resigned are the stories true that his replacement can’t even drive a tractor or is that just another industry myth and who was responsible for preparing the track for the Jewel meeting – Mr Rhamdani or a replacement?
How much money has been spent establishing what at Millions time looked to be a magnificent new surface and how has it been able to degenerate into a goat track in such a short time?
Saturday was an embarrassment for Queensland racing – yet again!
Many long-time followers of racing on the Gold Coast are saying the club should bite the bullet, bring former Curator Steve Andrews back from Beaudesert and get down on hands and knees and beg him to return to the top job and fix the damage that has been done to the new track.
INTERESTING THOUGHT FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN ‘COINCIDENCES’
PERHAPS it was a coincidence but a couple of our readers, who are keen form students, have pointed out an interesting aspect of two recent feature races in Sydney.
We’re not suggesting anything untoward but what were the odds of this happening?
Nash Rawiller got lost on Buenos Noches, the $1.75 favourite for the Group 2 Expressway Stakes at Randwick on February 17. It came from an impossible position to finish fourth (of seven) behind King of Sparta $4 which was given the run of the race by James Macdonald.
Fast forward to last Saturday at Randwick and just reverse the positions of the two champion jocks in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes.
Rawiller ‘box seats’ on Think It Over $8.50 to score an upset win over the $1.30 favourite Fangirl ridden by James McDonald who cops plenty of punters criticism for his ride.
Here’s what one of our readers had to say:
‘It came as no surprise to see Waller stable spin doctor big Richie alibi the ride of JMac on Fangirl. He says while Nash took the short cuts on the inside before easing to the middle which won him the race, JMac did not have the luxury of that option and rode Fangirl exactly as he did at her previous run. Unfortunately, Think It Over gained too big a break and Fangirl could not reel him in but it wasn’t her jockey’s fault.’
Another contributor added:
‘There are a few things to be learnt out of Saturday’s racing. Fangirl is no Winx. Punters were entitled to question the rides of Rawiller a fortnight ago on Buenos Noches and McDonald last Saturday on Fangirl. JMac has a terrible record when he’s short-priced in the Jockeys’ Challenge (he failed at $1.12 on Saturday). And never be surprised by form reversals from Waller-trained horses (like Atishu) especially when they are plunged from the time the betting opens.’
AND finally this one:
‘I wrote a few weeks ago raising the question whether Corey Brown would be better used by SKY to ask some of his former jockey mates to explain their bad rides on fancied runners rather than to just do a ‘suck-up’ job to the winners. What he does at present is a waste of space and the punters are sick of hearing him say what a great ride it was. He seems to be parroting his praise even more often since I highlighted how the punters feel. The big loser in all of this is the credibility of SKY but one gets the impression they aren’t interested in any form of constructive criticism.’
DO STEWARDS GET ‘THEIR PANTS PULLED DOWN’ EVERY RACE DAY?
ONE could argue that all over the country most days of the racing year some trainers are experts at pulling stewards’ pants down.
We say that tongue-in-cheek but when it physically happened in South Australia recently the stewards decided the right penalty was a five-year disqualification.
They had to be kidding. Sure it wasn’t the right thing to do. But five years when they let some of those bandits on the track go around there every week pulling their pants down, it’s time the SA stipes got their priorities right.
Let’s face it South Australian racing is a basket case and this decision has done nothing to improve its image. They can’t continue to hang their hat on the occasional border-hoping interloper that wins a feature race in Victoria to prop the industry up.
The strike-rate of favourites on home soil of a Saturday is woeful. Too many things tend to go wrong. Here are too things that happened last weekend at the main meeting of the week at Morphettville Parks.
As Tom Biddington reported for the Adelaide Advertiser:
‘RACING, particularly in South Australia, can throw up some strange things.
Less than 24 hours after it was revealed former trainer Todd Balfour had been disqualified for five years by Racing SA stewards for “dacking” an official at Kangaroo Island racecourse last month, an ambulance caught fire after the fourth race at Morphettville Parks on Saturday.
What price that double?
The incident saw the fire brigade and police attend to the strewn vehicle just past the winning post, but thankfully nobody was hurt.
Stewards were able to deal with the situation quickly, with the following race only running three minutes late.
“I’ve never seen that one before, another first,” steward Peter Ryan, who also chaired the Murray Bridge meeting that was abandoned because of rogue tumbleweeds 14 months ago, said.
“Smoke started filling their cabin from underneath the driver’s seat, so there was an electrical fire and they put the extinguisher on it and put it out.
“Once the fire crew disconnected the battery, they were happy for us to go on.”
And Richie Callander reports in his column for Racenet:
‘Mail was South Australian Racing Officials were left fuming on Saturday afternoon when its broadcast partner was still showing an owner interview from Flemington as the last horse was loaded into the gates for the seventh race at Morphettville doing them no favours with wagering.’
All of this and only days away from one of South Australia’s biggest race meetings of the year – the running of the Adelaide Cup on Monday. What odds something goes wrong there?
FARM SEIZURE – MISSION IMPOSSIBLE FOR DROP-KICK GREENS
THE Greens are living in fairyland if they think their radical plan to forcibly seize Eagle Farm racecourse and turn it into affordable housing and public green space.
At the last Brisbane City Council elections (in 2000) the Greens’ vote rose from 10.2 per cent to 17.8 per cent and they won a solitary ward.
It’s a mission impossible for these drop-kicks who hate horse racing to even dream of overtaking the LNP’s 45.88% of the vote (19 wards) and Labor’s 32.87% (or five wards).
So why is any air-time – or oxygen as Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott so rightly called it – being given to this ‘absurd, preposterous and financially irresponsible’ plan (also his words)?
Greens Lord Mayoral candidate Jonathan Sriranganathan (does this bloke still live on a houseboat and pay no Council rates as one of our readers suggested?) has announced his intentions to compulsorily acquire Eagle Farm for affordable housing and public green space if the Greens win the looming Brisbane City Council election.
He claims about $40 million in Council funds would be sufficient for the plan which would also look to share housing construction costs with the State Government.
At last RQ has broken its silence on the issue through CEO Jason Scott:
“I have tried to avoid responding to Jonathon’s ridiculous policy as not to provide it with oxygen. However, with council elections around the corner it is imperative that RQ make it clear how preposterous this policy is from a financially irresponsible political party.
“The racing industry is very important to this state and resuming Eagle Farm is not progress. Racing employs 15,000 people, is self-funding through race field fees and Point Of Consumption tax and to risk that by giving away our headquarters by resuming Eagle Farm is nonsense.
“Having two tracks (Eagle Farm and Doomben) so close to the centre of Brisbane is one of racing’s biggest assets. The synergies the Brisbane Racing Club receives through having one labour force is worth millions.”
At least after the next election Lord Mayoral failure, Mr Sriranganathan, might find another box-headed scheme to focus his sights on – closing Eagle Farm down certainly won’t win him any votes.
A DECADE ON & QLD RACING STILL AWAITS ASIAN RIDERS TO ARRIVE
GREG BLANCHARD of the GOLD COAST provides his weekly contribution:
IT has been a decade since I've been trying to highlight the need to look to Asian countries to be part of the solution to lack of jockeys and track riders even in parts of South East Queensland.
If I told you some of the things I've been told why we can't resolve the problem and also the promises about getting CRICOS Commonwealth register institutions courses for overseas students you would shake your head.
Archie Butterfly (peterprofit.com) compiled a great story on how New Zealand do it with overseas kids becoming apprentices. I've had a hand with three going over there.
Now to the ABC story of December last year from Rockhampton about how a Mauritius lad is going to our Apprentice School. I ask the RJC how this could happen with no CRICOS. Please feel free to answer my question. Trust me I'd be happy to be wrong.
SOME INTERESTING COMMENTS ON THE WAGERING INDUSTRY Q&A
PETER MAIR weighs in about the Question & Answer Forum being conducted by Racenet concerning the state of the Australian wagering industry:
THIS Q&A on Racnet is interesting/
Except by inference, there is little concept of the punters feeling 'robbed' and opting out.
If the 'over-round bookmaker percentages were made known for each race, it would likely be instructive to administrators and governments and punters - administrators have been inflating race-fields to build turnover, and governments have been taxing bookmakers to reclaim the excessive take from rough results for punters.
As a kid, I remember betting on a 'spin of the wheel' with odds split between 'Esmeralda', 'Peter Pan' and a 'Bolter' among other options. I am thinking the 'take' was modest to entertain, not rapacious, and to slowly fund the building of a new church.’
WEEKEND WATCHDOG
FLEMINGTON
EIGHT out of the 10 favourites were successful resulting in a ‘super’ day for punters. These included: SANS DOUTE $2.25, ARAMCO $2.40, BIG WATCH $5.5, BOLD BASTILLE $2.1, ANOTHER WIL $1.5, ESTRIELLA $3.2, ATISHU $4 & ARRAN BAY $4.
The worst results for punters were SOUTHPORT TYCOON $19 in the G1 Australian Guineas & DIAMOND DECORATOR $12.,
RANDWICK
ONLY two favourites were successful on the 10-race card (STORM BOY at $1.18) & (MANAAL at $2.05).
To be fair most of the other winners were under $10 barring the last – PHEARSON at $12.
EAGLE FARM
ONLY two favourites – HOLD ON HONEY $2.5 & SHARP DAZZLER $1.95 – were successful from 10 races with some absolute blowout results for punters.
The rot set in early when CAN’T RECALL ONE $13 was successful, followed by WINSTON SMURFHILL $31 (controversial dead-heat), MILIARENSE $26, KANAZAWA $10 & THESECONDATPORTSEA $13.
MORPHETTVILLE PARKS
FOUR favourites from nine races was almost a ‘full moon’ day in South Australia – those winners being DYER $2.6, KARAKA KIWI $3.8, TAPINFORPAR $2.9 & TAHNEE TREASURE $2.9.
The biggest upset of the day was ANGELIC APPEAL $9 in the second.
JAMIE KAH SILENCES CRITICS WITH TWO G1’S IN AS MANY WEEKS
IT took a while – and even she is in disbelief – but JAMIE KAH has silenced the critics who claimed she would never return to her brilliant best after a life-threatening fall.
In the past two weeks Kah has ridden upset Group 1 winners Hayasugi in the Blue Diamond at Caulfield and Southport Tycoon in the Australian Guineas at Flemington.
Both rides were gems and a far cry from the weeks when she struggled to reproduce her riding best after that horrifying fall at Flemington a year ago where she ended up in a coma suffering bleeding to the brain.
Fast forward and Kah has enjoyed which she describes as ‘the best few weeks of my life.’
She was engaged to fellow top jockey Ben Melham, rode a Group 1 double and her other highlight was attending a Taylor Swift concert. “The last few weeks just feel really weird but it’s cool,” Kah said. “Hopefully it means it’s going to be an awesome year.”
Southport Tycoon’s G1 triumph capped a big day for top trainer Ciaron Maher who also combined with Kah to win with the promising Another Wil and Estriella (Blake Shinn) in the $1 million Inglis Sprint.
It wasn’t as good a day for Sydney’s champion trainer Chris Waller apart from his form reversal plunge win with Atishu in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes.
Stablemate Riff Rocket ran a heavily-backed favorite but had to be content with third behind Southport Tycoon in the Australian Guineas while in Sydney Waller amazingly didn’t train a winner.
Punters lost plenty when the Waller-trained hotpots Fangirl $1.3 (2nd to Think It Over in the G1 Verry Elleegant Stakes) and Hinged $2.1 (2nd to Hell Hath No Fury in the G2 Guy Walter Stakes) were surprisingly beaten.
They can blame the deteriorating track condition, as smart as she is Fangirl doesn’t warrant the comparisons to Winx that she was attracting.
TIMELY WAKE-UP CALL FOR RQ ON THESE DESPISED POLY TRACKS
WHAT’S wrong with these rocket scientists at Racing Queensland?
Their poor decision-making means there will be no racing in the Sunshine State this Sunday which is simply unacceptable.
The meeting was transferred to the Poly track because the turf one was unsuitable for racing but failed to attract sufficient nominations.
Are these dunces at RQ the only ones oblivious to the well-established fact that punters and a good percentage of stakeholders detest racing on Poly tracks?
Not only is tonight’s meeting at the Sunshine Coast transferred to the despised poly surface but Sunday’s attempt to do the same has seen Sunday abandoned yet they have still not learnt from their mistakes and transferred the one on Sunday week to the Poly as well.
No one doubts the turf surfaces need a break but if RQ decides that should happen there are plenty of other tracks available to avoid poor acceptances and declining turnover racing on the Poly.
The same situation has been occurring at the Gold Coast but at least the new turf track will be back in action there for a big meeting tomorrow week.
Come on CEO Jason Scott don’t be dragged down by poor decision making of your First Lieutenants – act now to avoid another abandonment at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday week – the industry deserves better.
SOME GOOD ADVICE IF YOU’RE QUADDY BETTING AT FLEMINGTON
REGULAR contributor PETER MAIR gave punters some good advice about betting at Flemington recently and here is his follow-up relating to Saturday’s meeting:
SATURDAYS' MELBOURNE QUADRELLA at FLEMINGTON on Races 7-8-9-10 and RVL is shooting for three-in-a-row.
Restricting the focus to the last four races at Flemington on Saturday, likely to hold millions of dollars in the largest quadrella pools across the nation, what can we expect?
These four races have hallmarks of another 'no win' outcome for the most-punter set that pay the freight, kicking hard-earned into races and pools that will have the usual predators salivating. As Pavlov foreshadowed -- a bell starting ringing on Wednesday will whet predator-appetites to ravenous by Saturday. Someone could get bitten.
Race 7 -- 19 inexperienced, 3YO fillies will be running down an unfamiliar straight course with $1 million up for grabs, not least a generous 'covering costs' $20, 000 payable for running 10th. What do most punters think will happen?
Races 8&9 are G1 & G2’s to be run over 1600 -- fields of 15 &16 over this 'T&D' never bodes well for all runners getting a fair go -- expectations further deteriorate when the SPs suggest 'half the fields' are no-hopers hoping to hang on for a handout.
Race 10, a BM 84 with 14 to start over the notorious 1400, illustrates the inclination of administrators to inflate turnover with a 'last-leg' that often resembles a raffle.
The Master-in-Lunacy will be interested in the details of punters having a crack at this quadrella on Saturday.
PS: I will be wrong one day -- but don't bet on it.
WORD OF WARNING FOR THOSE WHO DON'T RECALL HIS WILD DAYS
THAT debonair bookie Garry Gorrie, who cut a swathe through the betting rings and night clubs of North Queensland in the olden days, is back in town.
The octogenarian playboy (think we got that right) has returned from his new homeland in Phuket for his annual visit to spend some time reminiscing about the good old days in the north (pity he gets a few facts muddled though).
Warning to the industry – lock up your girls. The old fella will be firing at the Brekky Creek today with some good mates – Kevin Cox (a trainer who used to stay in a caravan at Cluden in the carnival heydays), Ken Ord (a former jockey best known as a Buddy Holly impersonator) and Tim Taylor (other half of the popular ownership duo that includes Bill Mumford). Here's hoping Gorrie is back off the bottled water and drinking his beloved Brekky Creek beer.
Cluden in the 70’s will be high on the agenda. Message to his mates – believe about a tenth of what Gaz tells you happened back then and ask him about his recent visit to Godzilla World in Japan.
STILL TIME TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE LGHR LATE MAIL SPECIAL
THERE’S still time to subscribe to the LGHR LATE MAIL Autumn to the start of Spring Special.
It’s for those who don’t want to bet all year round and focusses on the bigger races of the Autumn in Sydney and Melbourne leading into the Brisbane Winter.
The cost is only $150 and for that you get the ratings sheet for Saturday, Sunday and public holiday racing. That’s less than a cup of coffee and our results are as good, if not better, than those services that charge an arm and a leg.
If you’re interested just text 0407175570 and will provide payment details. It costs less than a cup of coffee each week.
‘BACK THE BRONCOS – IT’S A BETTER BET THAN FAVS AT THE GALLOPS’
LIONEL of the GOLD COAST makes an interesting assessment of the RUGBY LEAGUE season (more to the point betting on it) which launches in LAS VEGAS this weekend:
WITH the NRL season launch in Las Vegas this weekend, as a long-time follower of rugby league I would like to provide a tip for the many punters who have deserted betting on horse racing.
Let me preface this by saying that every week I barrack for the side that is playing the Brisbane Broncos, not because I doubt they are a great side but I just can’t cop the perceived ‘start’ they get in this competition.
If ever there was a need for a ‘draft’ like they have in Australian Rules, the Broncos are a classic example of why it should happen in rugby league. They seem to be able to fit more stars under their salary cap than six of the battling sides in the competition.
Add to that the decisions that just seem to go their way – I’m not for one moment saying the referees are ‘cheating’ – but ask any league follower apart from a Broncos’ fan and they will tell you the questionable decisions always seem to go the way on Brisbane.
As for ‘start’ how lucky were a couple of their players to have Government intervention with the United States to enable them to overcome Visa problems that arguably would have prevented many young Australians with a similar blot on their copybook from being cleared to travel to Las Vegas.
My advice when it comes to the Broncos is this:
Most games they will be at almost unbackable odds to win – they are $1.55 for their clash with the Roosters in Vegas this weekend. I will be backing Brisbane to win by 13-plus at $3.35 and that will be my punting strategy on rugby league all season. It is my opinion that their strength in ‘stars’ will enable them to over-power most sides early in the game and make a one-team affair of their games.
And by the way the $4.25 for the Broncos to upstage the favourites, the Panthers at $3.75 and atone for last year’s unlucky Grand Final defeat spells delicious odds for mine.
FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY LIES AT THE FEET OF THE FEMALES
GREG BLANCHARD of the GOLD COAST makes his weekly contribution:
“IF you check provincial and country racing you will notice most apprentices are females.
And if you look at a list of stable hands, most seem to be women.
I checked trainees at Racing Queensland and out of 12 listed in their February Magazine 10 were girls.
So we would not have a racing industry without women in it so. I salute you.”
STAKEHOLDERS NEED TO KNOW METRO TRACK PLANS FOR HARNESS
JOHN THE FIREMAN has followed up on the tough-provoking email from SHANE last week about the future of HARNESS RACING in QUEENSLAND.
“THE harness code code is one of three that makes up the industry for which Racing Queensland is responsible to administer by Government law.
We need to move on from the past decisions around the code and focus on the current situation.
Firstly, we know that a metropolitan track plus Redcliffe and Marburg are the only tracks that RQ, its Board and the Government will provide to deliver the race program. FACT.
Once the Metro track is decided – which may see Albion Park come back from the grave as the Government is broke and has no money in the foreseeable future to develop a site at Norwell for racing, training or anything.
Harness stakeholders need the answer to the Metro track situation ASAP so everyone can move on with some certainty. It’s fairly obvious but what a disgrace this hasn’t happen.
Once the three tracks are confirmed then maybe the code will have the chance to develop and address issues that will improve each facility to meet modern-day needs.
Until this is resolved, frustration will remain around stakeholders and no real forward planning can happen. So surely someone in Government will make the decision soon.
Future stabling/training facilities (like the gallops have) is an issue harness has to work through with RQ once a decision is made.
The race product comes down to the same as all codes. QRIC needs to deliver to the stakeholders and punters “Best Practice” testing and monitoring of the Rules.
Harness needs to ask the punter through a WPS survey the direct question what are the issues they have with the code. Then when developing the three tracks an opportunity to fix can be looked at.
Let’s hope a Metro track decision is forthcoming very soon.”
WEEKEND WATCHDOG
DOOMBEN
ONCE again BRISBANE was the blackout state for punters last Saturday with ONE FAVORITE – BOOM TORQUE at $1.55 – successful on the 10-race card.
The rot set in early when DISPUTED RIVER $12 won the opener followed by the upset wins of HE’S FOR THE GIRLS16, MISHANI LILY $15, TUHINGA $19 & SEA RAIDER at $101 (it hadn’t won for 720 days and had been unplaced at his last 13 starts).
Is it any wonder punters have no confidence betting on Queensland racing and there are calls for the QRIC Commissioner and his Chief Thoroughbred Steward to be sacked?
MORPHETTVILLE
FROM a punters’ perspective there are similar integrity issues in South Australia but all they want to talk about are the feature winners that cross the border to Victoria (and good luck to them).
But on the home front nothing improves with only ONE FAVOURITE successful – MARIMENKO at $3.2 – from nine races last Saturday.
Just take a look at some of the UPSET RESULTS – FLOSSING $12, HERSATAR $31, EMERALD COURT $21, SNAPPED $11 & SOLAR BLAST $13.
RACING in SOUTH AUSTRALIA should be branded with a warning: ‘BETTING HERE IS A WEALTH HAZARD’!
ROSEHILL
ONLY three favorites were successful on the 10-race card and one of those was in the Hi-Way (it must have been a full moon) – BELVEDERE BOYS $3.2, STRAIGHT CHARGE $2.45 & GENTLY ROLLED $3.9.
When you look at some of the upsets it’s a wonder the punters are still standing in Sydney – DR EVIL $20, SHADOWS OF LOVE $10, MORE FELONS $21 & WELWAL $18.
CAULFIELD
IT was even worse for favourite backers in Victoria on Saturday when only two of 10 were successful – CAMPIONESSA $2.7 (after GOLD TRIP blew like a gale and ran out of steam at the finish – the bookies crystal ball was spot-on yet again) & MR BRIGHTSIDE $1.5 (in the Futurity).
Some of the bad results for punters included: TWIN PERFECTION $41, RAIKOKE $10, HAYASUGI $16 (in the BLUE DIAMOND) & QUEMAN $17 (in the Oakleigh Plate).
IS THIS YET ANOTHER REASON QRIC COMMISSIONER SHOULD GO?
MANY stakeholders believe that there is no hope for the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission if the ‘head honcho’ survives the current Review into its performance.
Story goes in the wake of a dust-up with Commissioner Shane Gillard that his Deputy Natalie O’Connor has taken unexpected leave with the date of her return to work unknown.
Insiders say this follows an instruction from Gillard that the Chief Stewards of all three codes will in future report to him rather than O’Connor which has occurred in the past.
Archie Butterfly on his well-read subscriber-only site, www.peterprofit.com reports:
THE latest word on the street is that there appears to have been a fall-out mid-Review between the QRIC Commissioner Shane Gillard and his Deputy Commissioner Natalie O’Connor, with both said to be pointing the finger of blame at the other for the mass mess of culture and management problems inside the organisation that have emerged during the Review.
In somewhat of a surprise move, of the KPMG led (misled?) Review, we are told that as of 5pm last Friday the Deputy Commissioner has taken unplanned leave, with her return to work date unknown.
This taking of leave is said to have followed a Gillard-ordered change of reporting lines for the Chief Stewards of the three codes, who formerly reported to Connor but now report directly to him as big boss of the integrity body.
The budget is also said to have blown already, just over half way through the financial year, a predicament of the QRIC’s own making that led to the recent decision to cut race-day staff and swab numbers. That decision was of course overturned in an embarrassing backflip after we (peterprofit.com) made public the details, sparking industry uproar about the ill-thought out plan.
With the Commissioner’s own contract said to be up for renewal at the end of the year it appears that there is a whole lot of ‘man the lifeboats’ but ‘let me on first’ going on inside the place right now, with it seemingly being a case of every person for themselves and let the rest drown.
There are no Happy Days signs on the front door of the QRIC offices at the moment, that’s for sure.
Hopefully Commissioner Gillard’s days are numbered – whether the LNP wins office and shows him the door or Labor unexpected retains Government and the Racing Minister realises she made the wrong choice and punts him.
OVER TO YOU - Murdoch spin doctor - to explain why we need your man running QRIC!
HORSE RACING, which is also known as the “Sport of Kings”, is a blend of tradition, speed and strategy. This game originates from the ancient civilizations where it was not just played as a sport, but it was used to test the excellence and prowess among riders. In today’s world, horse racing is a premier event where spectators come from every division.
The popularity that it has gained it is not just because of the love of the people for the game but it also includes horse racing betting. Placing a bet is not just a wager we are investing, it’s also about knowing the animals, jockeys, tracks and other factors which can affect the outcome of the race.
This appeal of racing and betting practice depends on the availability of betting options. Even if you’re a casual observer or you’re a seasoned punter, there’s something for everyone. But which we enter in the world of Horse racing betting, it is imperative to approach towards it with respect and understanding of the strategies.
In the next section, we will explore some of the top strategies which can be useful in betting on a horse race. We will also try to break down some jargons and how to navigate the odds.
UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS: KEY JARGON EXPLAINED
Before going further, one should be aware about some of the jargons from the betting world as well as from horse racing. “Odds” represent the likelihood of an outcome which is directly related to payout. The “favorite” is considered as the horse which is most likely to win. “Longshots” are the horses which are less likely to win but at the same time they will offer higher payouts if they win.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ODDS
Odds should not be considered as simple numbers. They are the chances of a horse winning the race. The odds change rapidly during the game as it is also based on the number of people betting on the horse as it will lower the odds. In simple terms, if you place a bet on a favorite then you will have a smaller payout but higher chances of winning. On the other hand, if you place the bet on a longshot, then the risk is high but the payout is even higher.
STRATEGY 1: RESEARCH & ANALYSIS
Your homework matters a lot in horse race betting. You should undertake your own research on the performance history of the horse and under what conditions they perform better, how they are trained and what’s their background (or form).
The performance of a jockey should not be forgotten with the similar insights. This approach can uncover potential winners and determine the chances of winning for the horse.
STRATEGY 2: BETTING TYPES & THEIR USES
There are different types of bets used in horse racing. Apart from the normal “win” bet where we are betting on a horse to win, there is a “place” bet and “show” bet. A “place” bet is betting if the horse will finish first or second and “show” is first, second, or third. There are other bets like "exactas," "quinellas," or "trifectas" which includes predicting the exact finish order, or top two or more horses and they also offer a higher payout as it requires precision.
STRATEGY 3: MONEY MANAGEMENT
Money management is always a critical element in betting. One should always set a budget and stick to it which can help you refrain from placing a bet for more than you can afford. Normally, you can place bets by setting a fixed percentage of your total betting budget.
STRATEGY 4: DIVERSIFICATION
A common strategy that can be useful is to diversify your bets. This can spread the risk associated and increase your chances of success. This is similar to investment diversification in stocks to mitigate loss and capitalize winnings.
STRATEGY 5: EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY
In the current world of technology, data is seamless. One can also use online resources, betting apps and some databases to enhance your strategy. They can offer up-to-date information on horse statistics, race conditions and sometimes even predictive analytics and providing a competitive edge in making better decisions.
STRATEGY 6: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT
No doubt, the horse race bets require knowledge and strategy but it also requires control over your emotions. To remain in discipline is an art and you can avoid impulsive decisions based on your recent losses and wins.
TO CONCLUDE...
The world of horse race betting demands more than your passion. It requires mindset, understanding and discipline. We have uncovered different approaches which can contribute to your success and can help you use the jargons appropriately.
Apart from the strategies like effective money management and leveraging technology, approaching Horse racing betting in a responsible and informed manner cannot be overstated. As the bettors refine their strategies and deepen their understanding, they also contribute to the culture of horse racing.
Embrace the challenge, enjoy the overall process and may your passion to the Sport of Kings bring you not just financial rewards but deeper connection too with horse racing.