PUNTERS NO LONGER INTERESTED AS ONCE WERE IN MIDWEEK RACING 

FEEDBACK from punters – more importantly turnover figures – certainly suggests that midweek racing is nowhere near as popular as it once was.

Gone is the era when Wednesday racing was second in importance to Saturday. Punters now prefer Sundays, Friday nights and of course Public Holidays.

One of the biggest thinkers in Australian racing, our regular contributor PETER MAIR from SYDNEY, has weighed into the debate with this thought-provoking e-mail headlined: MIDWEEK RACING: HOW MUCH FOR HOW LONG?

‘TODAY (Wednesday) some $1,800,000 will be distributed in prize-money for low-grade races run across five states – administrative and other costs round that to some $2 million.

Most punters will be at work: 'No-one' will be on-course, where it will be cold and the atmosphere, dull. The likely off-course TV audience will not include many high-rollers.

In short, 'not much' is likely to be bet on these races and the tax-take to racing unlikely to cover the $2 million. No one publishes these numbers. We are left to guess -- does anyone expect taxed betting turnover to be $40 million today?

The points here are first that Governments and racing administrators should publish the betting turnover statistics. Next, that won't be happening because the implication would be obvious – these races should not be run.

What we have instead is an unholy alliance where Governments, racing administrators and fixed-odds bookmakers are 'buying time'. Buying time while selling short the punters and the wider community who have no way of understanding how taxes paid (on other race meetings) will be wasted today (and every other Wednesday).

The dirty business of buying-time is hidden behind a facade of 'racing industry Inquiries and Reviews'. The Queensland Government has promised a root-and-branch overhaul – do not hold your breath! The Victorian Government is promising nothing which is at least truthful. In New South Wales we are led to believe the Minister for good-news, a junior Minister, has been searching for months for someone capable of conducting a Review. Spare my days -- any 'searching' will be in vain until the 'hard policy men' have decided on the answer before naming someone who has agreed to lead a Review that will find 'the answer'.

OK …...... the situation with a bloated racing industry is dire and the politics frightful but someone needs to bite the bullet and, for starters, offer a redundancy package to the participants and resources no longer playing a role of any viable consequence.’

 

SOME CORPORAES MAKING A MOCKERY OF RESPONSIBLE WAGERING

PETER MAIR also made this contribution under the heading: RESPONSIBLE WAGERING AUSTRALIA:

‘........... An oxymoron is a figure of speech combining contradictory terms.

There has been a bit of oxy-welding going on with fixed-odds bookmakers.

Don't you just love stuff like this:

.......... Members of Responsible Wagering Australia are bound by our Code of Conduct  .... and must maintain the highest standards of integrity and probity.

Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA) and our members have a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and strongly support measures to improve integrity in sport and racing.

Responsible Wagering Australia welcomes the Queensland Government’s announcement of a comprehensive Review into the State’s Racing Industry .........

Stuff like this -- on a day when The Straight's Bren OBrien reports that RWA admits a new Member while also reporting that a couple of other corporate bookmakers (no longer members of RWA) denied substantial payouts to 'bowler' punters who used another's phone to place racing bets.

A rose by any other name may smell as sweet but, apparently, phone calls from punters likely to put one on the wicket do not always ring true.

.............. One might ask RWA about its Members’ obligations on this score.’

 

HARNESS INTEGRITY BOSS FROM TASSIE TIPPED AS NEW QLD CHIEF STEWARD 

OUR colleague ARCHIE BUTTERFLY, well-informed on all things harness racing, has a scoop today which we’re sure he won’t mind us publishing. It reads:

‘THE word is that former Queensland Senior Steward Neil Finnigan, currently in charge of harness racing integrity in Tasmania, has been appointed to the Chief Steward role in Queensland to replace David Farquharson, who was summarily dismissed a few months back for reasons that remain unknown. Finnigan’s return to the Sunshine State will be warmly welcomed by harness racing participants.

What happens to Acting Chief Steward Norm Torpey after being beaten to the permanent role by Finnigan, one of his former underlings in the QRIC hierarchy? Will he revert to being Deputy, or will he retire?

When Finnigan takes up his new role will he take action to stamp out the spate of ‘team drives’ we have been seeing lately in Queensland?

 

PUNTERS NEED TO BE A HARDY BUNCH TO SURVIVE SOME SATURDAYS 

SPARE a thought for the poor old punters betting on the major meetings up and down the east coast last Saturday.

The feature race at Rosehill, the Listed Winter Stakes, was won by the rank outsider of the field, Estadio Mestalla at $61. It had finished 13^th of 16 in similar company over the same trip at Randwick when 2^nd-up, the only excuse being caught wide from a bad barrier.

When questioned regarding the improved performance, trainer Joe Pride told Stewards that with the blinkers on for the first time, he notified a change of tactics for the horse to be ridden further forward. Pride added that he had not expected Estadio Mestalla to lead. However, when the anticipated leader, Whinchat, did not show early speed, this resulted in Estadio Mestalla being able to lead comfortably and dictate the race which contributed to the improved performance.

At the Sunshine Coast, the Listed Glasshouse Handicap was won by another roughie, Fortunate Kiss at $26. One could argue the Victorian wasn’t entitled to be that price after an unlucky third in the Eye Liner at Ipswich.

The other positive for punters was the tip for Fortunate Kiss from Kiaarn Dickens, the SKY presenter on her last day in Queensland. It followed hot on the heels of her declare for $31 chance Flash Aah when he won the Ipswich Cup. How are they going to replace a tipster of her talents in the north?

Then at Flemington on Finals Day punters were ‘treated’ to some winners that arguably grew a leg and upstaged favorites that had proved far too good for them in lead-up races.

Bridal Waltz $13 reversed a more than four length defeat by She’s An Artist $1.3 in the Listed Creswick Stakes. It surprised the form students but not those who followed the advice of top trainer Peter Moody predicting an upset was on the cards.

Rider Jamie Melham reported to Stewards she was not disappointed by the performance of She’s An Artist other than, in her opinion the filly raced flat and may have come to the end of its preparation. Representative for trainer Ciaron Maher, Leigh Allen advised the filly would be reassessed upon return to the stable.

Oh Too Good $2.4 had ‘brained’ Jimmy The Bear $5 when they clashed in the David Bourke but but dropped out to finish 8^th behind him in the Listed Winter Championship Final on Saturday.

When questioned by Stewards rider Ben Allen explained from the wide barrier the mare was obliged to work in the early stages in order to obtain a forward position close to the rail. Allen added that Oh Too Good raced a little keenly, was unable to fully finish the race off and may be best ridden with cover.

Punters were sent home from Flemington licking their wounds when Miss Tarzi at $51 won the Leilani Series Final. She had won twice first-up in the past for Anthony and Sam Freedman.

 

WHAT PROMISED TO BE GREAT SATURDAY OF RACING ACROSS ALL THREE CODES IN QUEENSLAND REMEMBERED FOR WRONG REASONS 

UNPRECEDENTED, UGLY and UNWARRANTED attacks on high profile individuals in all three codes have emanated from what promised to be a great Saturday of racing across the country but will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

GREYHOUND racing gave the fruit-loop animal liberationists who want to close the sport down a ‘free kick’ when disaster struck the new $85 million supposedly world class facility, the Q at Ipswich, with the Brisbane Cup meeting abandoned after two races and the track closed until problems can be corrected.

ALBION PARK did little to enhance its case for a new multi-million dollar grandstand when even free admission and the presence of local superstar Leap To Fame attracted a pathetic crowd for the opening night of the Inter-Dominion.

SICKENING and unjustified abuse aimed at JAMIE MELHAM and her husband BEN after they fought out an upset finish to the Listed Crestwick Stakes at Flemington on Saturday was to say the least – UNACCEPTABLE.

AND the spotlight is on the stewards with some stakeholders and punters have unfairly questioned the MARK CURRIE STABLE landing SEVEN WINNERS at TWO TRACKS in TWO DAYS, the majority at the Rockhampton Cup Carnival.

The ‘blame game’ has begun in all three codes and below we will try to outline why – rightly or wrongly – some followers, licensees and officials of the three codes have a burr under their saddles.

WE have invited Kim Kelly, the QRIC Deputy Commissioner, to comment on several of the issues raised and he has agreed to but we need to be patient as his time is heavily devoted to getting things corrected so that The Q can become operational again which is understandable. If the RQ Chairman would care to comment on any criticism of his ex-CEO or Board we would be delighted to publish his response.

DOG FIASCO FIX BUCK-PASSED FROM PREMIER TO MINISTER TO QRIC

LET’S start with the diabolical situation at the greyhounds in Queensland where racing at the new $85 million three-track facility, The Q, has been suspended due to unsafe conditions, a decision made after a string of dog fatalities.

Calls for immediate action to be taken started with the Premier David Crisafulli who passed the buck to his Racing Minister Tim Mander in turn demanding answers from the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.

While all this was happening the anti-racing campaigners, including The Greens, were having a field day highlighting how 11 greyhounds had died at The Q since track trials were held in March, most of them euthanized after suffering injuries during races.

The annual Brisbane Cup had to be abandoned on Saturday after two races, with scheduled meetings on Monday and Thursday also cancelled at what Racing Queensland has described as the ‘world’s best’ greyhound racing venue.

It didn’t take long for the blame game to begin and caught in the critics’ crossfire were the out-going RQ CEO Jason Scott, who was seconded to The Q, to correct early teething problems along with the Track Curator  and his staff with claims they caused the problems by leaving irrigation hoses running all night which flooded the track.

Those at the coalface claim the track curator then had the track dragged in the hope that by turning the sand on the surface it would soak up the water and make it raceable. Critics say they then rolled the track to compress the sand but that didn’t work.

Worst scenario – the track has been damaged beyond repair by human error with trainers maintaining it needs to be dug up and the drains re-laid to correct the problem. The question is: How much will that cost and who will pay?

There are those who are now taking the opportunity to lay some of the blame at the feet of Jason Scott, who is departing RQ soon and returning to the corporate bookmaking business – reportedly taking up a key role with BEARBET which is owned Darren Azzopardi.

One irate critic of Scott has highlighted a story written in Country Life when he was seconded to take control of the Queensland Greyhound Racing Club with the opening of The Q was beset by problems in May.

PAUL J of IPSWICH sent this email:

‘CAN you believe the crap they published which suggested ‘RQ CEO Jason Scott was set to take a new role which would fire Australian greyhound racing into another stratosphere? The only one who should be fired out of a canon is Scott himself for what he has failed to do for the Queensland gallops and greyhound industries.

‘At the time Scott told Country Life: ‘I’ve been seconded to get in there and do the job and get things into shape. I’ve told the QBRC Board that the best way to deliver this project is for me (and others from RQ) to be on the ground and start getting things done. Well didn’t that work – last Saturday’s embarrassment certainly suggests that wasn’t ‘mission accomplished’?

 

GUTLESS ATTACKS COULD SEE JAMIE MELHAM LOST TO RACE RIDING 

IN an aftermath to the Flemington gallops on Saturday there were a series of unacceptable and abusive attacks on Jamie Melham and her husband Ben after the running of the Listed Crestwick Stakes.

If those who are obviously jealous of the success that Jamie has achieved as the best lady jockey in the land (granted she has had her issues) then this wonderful lady will be lost to racing.

Those close to Jamie and her new husband Ben say she is on the verge of quitting race riding and following her dream of representing Australia as an Equestrian at the Brisbane Olympics.  

Rather than LGHR explain what happened on Saturday, here is what Richie Callander wrote for Racenet which we totally agree with:

‘SHE’S An Artist started a heavily supported $1.30 favourite and was given every chance at Flemington on Saturday. Jamie Melham rode her perfectly in the Listed A.R. Creswick Stakes (1200m) but she simply wasn't good enough on the day. It's that simple.

I've got no issue with punters having an opinion. That's part of the game and a big part of what makes racing the vibrant sport it is. We live in a democracy and everyone is entitled to their view, even if I or anyone else might strongly disagree. Say it respectfully, and we can have a conversation.

But what happened after Saturday's race was not a conversation. It was cowardice, plain and simple.

The online abuse aimed at Jamie Melham and even at her husband Ben is pathetic. It was embarrassing, weak, pitiful, and completely unacceptable. We've seen too much of this nonsense lately and it's time we as an industry, and as decent human beings, stand together and say enough is enough.

Such was the vile nature of the tweets I requested that we republish redacted versions, but even then, given the sensitive nature of the content, that wasn't permitted for legal reasons.

If you know someone who posted one of those cowardly comments pick up the phone. Tell them to grow up, pull their head in, and maybe even try learning something about racing.

And as for the likes of a keyboard warrior like @ckembari84 – you're beyond help.

Let's protect what we love … racing, its people, and the good conversations that should come with it. There's no place for abuse.’

 

CURRIE STABLE CAUGHT IN  CROSSFIRE JUST FOR BEING SUCCESSFUL 

MORE unwarranted ‘hate mail’ at the gallops involved Toowoomba trainer Mark Currie who did a remarkable job saddling up seven winners in the space of two days, including five at the Rockhampton Cup Carnival.

Most emails we received weren’t fit to be published but in general questions were being asked about what winners were being swabbed over the two days at Rocky.

What most are overlooking is that the Currie stable has been boosted by a number of ex-Victorians whose form is superior to what they are racing in the north and underrating the training prowess of Mark nad son Ben.

Mark places his horses well and we understand is following the Carnival circuit up the Coast. Even the appearance of his son Ben in an interview on SKY after one of the stable winners got up the noses of a couple of critics who need to give the guy a break.

LGHR is sure that in view of what has happened in the past the stable will be more closely watched than any by QRIC. 

 

‘FEATHES’ ROCKY JUNKET HARDLY ENHANCED CALLING REPUTATION

THEN we had a couple of tongue-in-cheek emails concerning broadcasting of the races at the Rockhampton Cup and Newmarket Carnival. Here’s what one wrote:

‘The one thing ‘Brolga’ Leonard didn’t need over the big days in Rocky was help in the calling duties from Queensland’s supposed No 1 caller.

‘Feathers’ Fowler enjoyed a two-day junket to Central Queensland and only had to call three races each day. If they wanted a guest on either day they should have imported a ‘name caller’ from interstate.

‘The one thing we learned from Fowler’s absence in the big smoke last Saturday is what a good caller young Jarrod Wessel is. He stepped up to the plate for the big Sunshine Cup meeting and did as good a job – if not better – that we could have expected from Fowler.

‘Just wondering if the story is right that ‘Feathers’ dodges calling at the Sunny Coast because the big flight of stairs up to the broadcast box is a bit much for him to negotiate for one race these days let alone an entire nine-race card.’

 

STEWARDS UNDER SPOTLIGHT EVEN ON INTER-DOM HEATS NIGHTS  

NEXT STOP was ALBION PARK on SATURDAY night for the opening heats of the Inter-Dominion when some ‘rocket-scientists’ decided to provide aerial shots for the TV coverage which showed just how bad the crowd was.

It was arguably the worst attended opening heats of an Inter-Dominion in the history of the series. Even allowing for those who were dining or using indoor facilities, you could arguably have fitted the outdoor numbers into a double decker bus.

And bear in mind, admission was free and the local champ Leap To Fame was a blockbuster drawcard. If the Grand Final, in a fortnight, when partrons will be asked to pay a $20 entry fee, is not much better, how can the Government or the racing industry justify spending tens of millions on a new grandstand when a few bench seats or a series of individual chairs would suffice.

Much has been spoken about the reasons for the plummeting crowds from the 20,000 who attended the opening night or an Inter-dominion Grand Final soon after. It simply comes down to lack of confidence from the punting public amid accusations of ‘rorts’ and ‘boat races’ on a weekly basis at Albion Park.

BELIEVE it or not integrity was once again at the forefront of Saturday night’s feature meeting with Acting Chief Steward Norm Torpey and his panel considered by most not to be up to the job.

Here are some of the issues raised by those who still support the sport in the slim hope that something will eventually be done – but is it wishful thinking?

QUESTIONS BEING ASKED AFTER FIRST NIGHT OF INTER-DOMINION 

SHOULD every runner in Group 1 harness races be swabbed?

FIVE of the 12 starters in Saturday nights’ RISING SUN were pre-race swabbed but NOT ONE on Grant Dixon’s three runners.

TWO of the five two-year-old’s in the race were tested by none of them were Dixon’s.

This is a $300,000 Group 1 race. In NSW all runners in races of this stature are placed in a retention barn for 54 hours prior to the start.

We don’t have a 24/7 monitored facility in Queensland to house the field in feature races, the logical alternative is to pre-race swab every runner.

It would stop a whole lot of vicious rumours about pro-Kevin Seymour favouritism and bias doing the rounds in harness racing in Queensland where he is seen – rightly or wrongly – as a great supporter of the LNP Government.

THOSE who watch the replays are asking what was Grant Dixon doing with his arm at one stage of the Rising Sun?

It can be seen moving well outside the confines of the sulky, which is supposedly an offence.

Some punters are asking: ‘ARE you allowed to do anything in Queensland harness racing if your name is Dixon and you privately train for Clip Clop Kev?’

There are claims from form students that Adam Sanderson did not give Oscar Bonovena every hope of winning Heat 1 of the Trotters’ Championship on Saturday night. Stewards questioned him about one suspicious part of his drive but punters say overlooked three others.

 

 

ALBION PARK INTER-DOMINION HEATS STRUGGLE TO ATTRACT HALF THE CROWD AT ALPHA CUP ATTENDED BY UP TO 10 TIMES THE POPN

CAN someone explain how Alpha, a small town in the Central West, manages to attract up to 10 times its population on Cup Day while the harness racing capital of Queensland at Albion Park struggles to get half that number at an Inter-Dominion despite offering free entry?

Whoever decided to provide aerial shots of the once-famous Creek last Saturday night created arguably the biggest embarrassment crowd-wise for any series of the blue-riband harness event ever held.

It highlighted how bad the crowd was. Even allowing for those who were dining or using indoor facilities, you could have fitted the outdoor numbers into a double-decker bus.

If the Grand Final, in a fortnight, when patrons will be asked to pay a $20 entry fee, is not much better, how can the minor code justify the spending of tens of millions on a new grandstand?

Albion Park had plenty going for it on Saturday night – the blockbuster drawcard of local champ, Leap To Fame, arguably the best pacer in the world, who justified his rating with a runaway heat win. Free Entry, fine weather, the best pacers in Australasia fighting out the opening heats of the pacers and trotters heats.

Yet Alpha, a gallops club responsible for one of the greatest comebacks in Queensland racing history, has made the once-great speed pacing capital of Australia look second rate.

In the wilderness of the thoroughbred racing scene for a decade, the Club recently hosted a crowd of 4,000 to 5,000 (depending on whose figures you believe). Alpha has bounced back from tough times – far worse than anything experience by harness racing at Albion Park with all its Government handouts, after being sidelined for a decade.

Why then can’t harness racing at Albion Park make a comeback? No-one expects the crowds of 20,000 that turned out on the opening night of the new facility built by then Racing Minister Russ Hinze or for the Inter-Dominion grand final in the 80’s won by the West Australian Village Kid.

The answer is simple – lack of integrity and policing of the ‘rorts’ that have continued to occur which has seen the ‘red hots’ in Queensland the subject of a spectacular nose-dive. No-one has the confidence to bet there anymore.

LGHR tuned in for the pacing heats on SKY, especially to watch Leap To Fame win and it was good to see ‘Harness King’ Kevin Seymour and his wife, Kay, who own the horse, trackside to watch the Grant Dixon-trained pacer take a stranglehold on the Grand Final.

We don’t follow harness racing in Brisbane closely any more – once we wouldn’t miss a meeting – but our colleague Archie Butterfly from www.peterprofit.com loves the sport but paints a concerning picture for its future. His reports suggest – that even during an Inter-Dominion series the ‘rorts’ continue and stewards seem powerless to do anything about these.

That’s why the punters have deserted the ‘red hots’ in droves. Just examine the TAB holds on Saturday night’s opening heats for the pacers. HEAT 1: Just over $9,000 in the WIN POOL. HEAT 2: Less than $9,000 in the WIN POOL & HEAT 3: Over $10,000 in the WIN POOL.

COMPARE that to three races (none-feature) at the second-string gallops meeting at the GOLD COAST on Saturday afternoon: R6: Over $18,000 in the WIN POOL; R7: Almost $12,000 in the WIN POOL & R8: Well over $18,000 in the WIN POOL.

BETTER still compare ALBION PARK on INTER-DOMINION HEATS NIGHT with TOOWOOMBA for the return of NIGHT RACING where they desperately need a new SET of LIGHTS. WIN POOLS of over $37,000 R2; over $33,000 R4 & over $30,000 IN R6.

It just goes to show how bad harness racing is travelling in Queensland. Surely the sport has to be held account for its poor turnover.

 

MINOR CODES DISASTER ENGULFED BY RACING CLOSURE AT THE Q 

AND just when greyhound racing had an opportunity to ‘fly the flag’ for the minor codes in Queensland, disaster has struck the new $85 million facility, The Q.

Racing at the new three-track facility has been suspended due to unsafe (read that as ‘dangerous’) conditions – a decision made after a string of dog fatalities.

The annual Brisbane Cup had to be abandoned on Saturday after two races, with scheduled meets on Monday and Thursday also cancelled at what Racing Queensland has described as the ‘world’s best’ greyhound racing venue.

“The decision was made after the Q2 Parklands track was deemed unsuitable for racing,” RQ said in a statement.

The BRISBANE TIMES (it makes the Murdoch Media look sub-standard) reports that at least 11 greyhounds have died at The Q since track trials in March, according to anti-racing campaigners, with most of them euthanized after picking up injuries during races.

The former Labor Government invested $44 million from the racing infrastructure fund towards the facility at Purga, south of Ipswich, which officially opened last month. (That figure has since blow out to more than double which is a disgrace).

Announcing the venue in 2022, then-Racing Minister Grace Grace said track design and injury prevention experts had been engaged to help design the track.

Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds president Amy MacMahon said that approach had clearly failed. Until last year the Greens MP for South Brisbane, MacMahon said The Q was responsible for 11 of the 59 greyhound deaths nationwide this year, which made it the “deadliest track in the country”.

“We’re calling for an end to greyhound racing, at the very least at The Q,” she said. “They need to postpone all racing until they can deal with the safety issues, the condition of the ground and the way that the racing is run there, at the very least.

“But ultimately, we need to get rid of greyhound racing in Queensland and across the country. This is an incredibly wasteful sport – it wastes public money, kills greyhounds. We know that the majority of people are no longer in support of greyhound racing. Certainly, the majority of people don’t support public money going to greyhound racing.”

Speaking at Logan on Sunday, Premier David Crisafulli said Racing Minister Tim Mander was ‘going to get to the bottom’ of the issues at The Q. (Here’s hoping he delves a bit deeper than he has into the AGM Minutes disaster at the Brisbane Racing Club).

“Racing is an important part of the fabric of who we are as Queenslanders,” he said. “Whether that’s any of the three codes, they’re important and the Minister’s asking the right questions, and I want Queenslanders to know that we’re serious about getting to the bottom of what happened there.”

LGHR has unconfirmed reports that the Premier had a share in a racing greyhound when he was based in the north. We have been asked by stakeholders to question the Racing Minister on how much responsibility for this disaster can be laid at the feet of Racing Queensland and departing CEO Jason Scott who answered a call to try and fix the problems at The Q. Scott is said to be heading back to work in the corporate bookmaking business soon.  

Racing Minister Tim Mander needs to get off his arse on yet another issue before these 'fruit-loops' from the Greens start to convince Governments that all three codes should be shut down.   

 

FREE ENTRY TO INTERDOM HEATS WHEN BLOCKBUSTER DRAWCARD IS A LOCAL SHOWS JUST HOW BAD ALBION PARK IS TRAVELLING

DESPERATE times call for desperate measures but it’s hard to believe that Albion Park has to offer free entry to the heat nights of the Inter-Dominion to try and attract a half decent crowd.

For heaven’s sake, they have the best drawcard in the country – if not the world – in local superstar Leap To Fame and he’s long odds-on to win not only heats of the series but the Grand Final.

If you want to get out there for the big night on Saturday, July 19, it will cost you a ‘massive’ $20 to get through the gate to see the blue riband events of Australasian harness racing for the pacers and the trotters.

How has harness racing in Queensland – especially Albion Park – managed to go downhill so much since a crowd of 15,000 packed the grandstands for the first meeting under lights in September 1968. Believe it or not 80 bookies fielded at that meeting.

On the opening night (in 1983) of the new ‘speed pacing capital of Australia’ as then Racing Minister Russ Hinze labelled it, close to 20,000 watched Popular Alm win the Queensland Pacing Championship.

Then there was the big night that West Australian Village Kid, trained by ‘Bill the Butcher’ Horn, won the Grand Final in 1986 before a crowd of 20,000. There was no SKY Channel in those days but the club negotiated coverage on the ABC.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn (with apologies to the Anzacs) certainly doesn’t apply to harness racing at Albion Park.

Crowds on race nights have plummeted to such a disgraceful level that you could drive a herd of elephants through the public area on race days and nights without fear of hurting anyone.

The once-great stand has deteriorated and needs replacing. It will be sooner rather than later but the conundrum facing Racing Queensland is not to ‘build a new one and they will come’ but more so ‘how many do we need to accommodate on big nights’?

The Interdominion, to be hosted at Albion Park for the next three years, would normally prove a good guide but offering free entry won’t provide that.

Those who were regulars at the Creek of a Saturday night still have fond memories of Silks Restaurant and the ‘all-you-could-eat’ seafood smorgasboard.

‘Big Russ’ and his lovely wife Fay were regular diners. Who could forget his two Rottweilers sitting in the corner – he was the only person allowed to bring dogs into Silks?

 

PUNTERS SAY THE ‘RORTS’ AT ALBION PARK WORSE NOW THAN EVER

RATHER than spoil the story, we’ve left the worst for last. The reason for the demise of harness racing in south-east Queensland is twofold. Failure to curtail the ‘rorts’ which have worsened over the past decade has led to punters switching to the greyhounds which now boasts its own world class facility, The Q, and has left the trots far behind in the turnover race.

It seems the stewards responsible have been unable to rein in what many regard as ‘boat races’ on a regular Saturday night at Albion Park.

Chief Stewards have come and gone and the code now awaits the announcement of a new one. Norm Torpey has done his best in an acting capacity since the departure of David Farquharson.

But punters – those who are left at the ‘red hots’ – are an unforgiving bunch and they are adamant that Norm’s best is not good enough.

Well they will have to cope with his presence as Chief Steward during the Interdominion Series which starts on Saturday night. The new appointee to the poison chalice of policing harness racing in Queensland cannot finish his current job in time to officiate.

And by-the-way those of us who were declaring Greg Rudolph, currently a Steward with the South Australian gallops, are well off the mark. He will not be making a cross-code switch.

 

RUDOLPH NOT THE NEW CHIEF STEWARD TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON 

LGHR sought some information from QRIC Deputy Commissioner Kim Kelly regarding the situation and here is what he was kind enough to supply:

‘WE (QRIC) have finalized the successful candidate for the position of Queensland’s next Harness Chief Steward with the appointment to be announced in the not-too-distant future.

Unfortunately, the successful candidate will not be available to participate in the upcoming Interdominion Championships at Albion Park due to their current employment operational and contractual requirements.

Irrespective, I have every confidence in Acting Chief Steward Norm Torpey and the current Stewards’ Panel to successfully and diligently adjudicate over this major harness racing event.

Norm has as much experience in the field of harness stewarding as anyone in the country, and he is ably supported by panel Stewards who individually also have considerable experience in the field.

QRIC is also fortunate to have a number of Stewards across the codes who have previous harness stewarding experience at a high level. Whilst no decision has been made as to whether additional staff will join the current harness panel, QRIC has a sufficient depth of Stewards to call on if and as required.’

 

FOLLOW-UPS TO ENSURE FAIR PLAY & RIGHT MESSAGE GETS ACROSS 

SIGNIFICANT feedback on two controversial stories we ran this week has prompted us to do follow-ups today to ensure fair play and that the right message gets across.

One involves the on-going battle between the Brisbane Racing Club Board and a former highly-respected Director Simon Gleeson, along with his disgruntled dad, Wally, a Member, breeder and former Corinthian-winning jockey.

The other resulted from criticism of the call of the Battle Of the Bush race at Eagle Farm last Saturday by Rob Luck who we have quickly learnt has a legion of fans for the work he has done in racing outside the broadcast box.

To ensure some important aspects of the refusal by the Racing Minister to meet personally with the Gleeson’s and discuss their grievances, we were asked by a high profile administrator of yesteryear to send a message to Tim Mander

In the case of Rob Luck there are those who believe he would make a significant contribution if appointed to the Racing Queensland Board and others – like Gary Gorrie (our good mate from Phuket) who says the critics missed an important aspect of his call.

 

MINISTERIAL THEME SONG: STUCK IN THE MIDDLE – CLOWNS TO THE LEFT OF ME, JOKERS TO THE RIGHT – MORE CHANCE OF ALBO MEETING DONALD THAN AUDIENCE WITH MANDER FOR THE GLEESON’S? 

LET’S start with the amazingly failed efforts by father and son Wally and Simon Gleeson simply to secure a face-to-face meeting with the Racing Minister not to mention being refused a copy of the Minutes of the last AGM of the BRC. We received this follow-up email:

‘AS a long-time racing administrator in Queensland and a supporter of the LNP, I am calling for Tim Mander to be made aware of his legal obligations as Racing Minister, especially in the areas of integrity and transparency.

‘You asked me when I approached LGHR why I didn’t use my political and racing influence to correct a problem involving the BRC Board that I believe Racing Queensland is refusing to address and seems to be eroding the confidence of many Members. At my age I can't afford the stress.

‘As Queensland’s leading club, I feel the BRC should be setting an example. That was certainly the case when the Queensland Turf Club ran the show for the entire industry in this State.

In my opinion confidence in the BRC Board has gone backwards during the Neville Bell era as Chairman and some of those now in charge seem to have adopted his philosophies.

‘Running racing isn’t about entertaining your mates, taking as many ‘junkets’ as humanly possible to major interstate and international race meetings and ensuring that the mainstream media provides only positive publicity.

‘In the story you published this week the last paragraph questions the responsibilities of Tim Mander as Racing Minister to meet with Simon and Wally Gleeson and to examine their grievances.

‘The AGM minutes are crucial for integrity and the Minister is failing to fulfil his responsibilities by not instructing Racing Queensland to order the BRC to release those minutes to the membership. What have they got to hide?

‘Because the BRC has been so protective of these minutes a growing number of Members are now questioning whether there are problems within the BRC that are being withheld from the membership.

‘It is no secret that during the Bell era membership declined. Just how serious that situation has reached cannot be ascertained because the BRC does not disclose any longer their membership numbers.

One would think if they want the Government or industry to fund a new Members’ Grandstand to replace the one that has been condemned there would be a requirement for those figures to be made public.

HERE IS THE MESSAGE SOME HIGH PROFILE RACING PEOPLE ARE WARNING THE RACING MINISTER NOT TO IGNORE 

‘But here is THE MESSAGE that the RACING MINISTER needs to be made aware of and it involves what Premier David Crisafulli told the new LNP Cabinet were his expectations when they were sworn in.

‘IN a letter circulated to all his Ministers in early November last year, soon after the LNP gained Government, the Premier’s message was loud and clear (if you don‘t recall it Tim, then have a refresher read):

‘The one to you Minister Mander from the Premier (of which I have provided a copy to LGHR) begins:

‘Dear Tim,

Queenslanders have put their faith in us to deliver a fresh start for our great State. As the Minister for Sport & Racing and Minister for the Olympic & Paralympic Games, you have a critical role to play and that will come with significant responsibility.

‘Under an attachment: KEY PORTFOLIO DELIVERABLES’, the Premier expects of Minister Mander that he:

• Supports the financial sustainability and integrity of the Racing Sector.

‘Surely the refusal of the release of the BRC AGM minutes, in terms of the Corporations Act (which is included as part of the Racing Act responsibilities), is a matter for concern that the Minister should be addressing urgently instead of passing the buck to the RQ Board and when that didn’t work inviting Simon and Wally Gleeson to meet with two ‘lackeys’ from his Department rather than the ‘top dog’.

The BRC membership is well aware of the responsibilities of the Minister (talk around the track and beyond). Sadly, I fear he is backing himself into a corner that will eventually become a major embarrassment to both he and the LNP Government.

Minister, your Government was elected on the premise that Integrity, Transparency and Accountability would be a major focus. It is front and centre for you right now. Stuck In the Middle is becoming your theme song – you know the words - Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right…

You have an obligation to hear and read evidence backing complaints about what has allegedly occurred at the BRC over the past few years under the Labor Government.

Instead of hiding under a rock as you have been, do your job and be the ‘judge’ as required under the obligations of your portfolio with the LNP Government. 

IT’S TIME you shut down the word doing the rounds in racing circles that PM Anthony Albanese has more chance of meeting US President Donald Trump, than the Gleeson’s have of an audience with you.'

 

BAD CALL PALES INTO INSIGNIFICANCE COMPARED TO JOB ROB DOES 

AND in relation to the ROB LUCK call of the BATTLE OF THE BUSH’ here is a sample of what his supporters had to say:

SHAUN FLANAGAN (hopefully he won’t mind us using his name) wrote:

‘YES we know luck was not on Rob's side when he called the Battle Of The Bush on Saturday but a more deserving member of the racing fraternity would be hard to find. 

Rob is wasted anywhere near the broadcast box and should be in the Board room steering the direction of the racing industry. A more level-headed country racing supporter you wouldn't find. Self-benefit is not in Rob's vocabulary. Everything he does and supports is with the entire industry in mind.

Give the bloke a slap on the back and congratulate him on his effort and more importantly his lifetime of service.’

 

HIDDEN MESSAGE IN CALL WINNER FOR ONE-TIME CASANOVA BOOKIE 

GARY GORRIE, the one-time ‘casanova’ of the ‘bookies ring’ in Queensland, especially the north, weighed in with this contribution from his new ‘digs’ overlooking the water in Phuket:

‘MAYBE it was not Rob’s best call but it seems most missed his cheerio to legendry trotting Driver and horseman, Ginger Manzleman, who is in hospital.

I live overseas if it wasn’t for Rob’s empathy, I am sure many of Ginger’s friends like myself, would have not have he was ill. I am hoping Ginger would have heard it and got a lift from the mention.

The Manzleman family along with the Scharper’s and the Rix’s were the backbone of Mackay harness racing for many years.

One day Ginger was sitting on his bike looking into the Showgrounds watching the trots when my Dad stopped driving and said Ginger: ‘I will shout you in if you want’. Ginger replied that it was not the admission price but he was out for a month and could not attend.

One Wednesday trot meet a friend of Jimmy Olsen BB (last name a color) organized a one-goer. It looked all over a winner but down the outside came Ginger his famous blue colors and bloused it.  BB had thought he could not win and had left him out. Ginger had had his $20 on.

When harness racing closed in Mackay, Ginger put his resources behind son John who has a big team of horses and without him and his partner Jade many gallops meetings would struggle all over North Queensland.

Would the southern race callers have known that Ginger was sick but for Rob’s call?

Anyway, as my good mate Russel Leonard (Brolga to his friends) says, it’s a moot point as soon all races will be called from the studios like the Rugby League now.

I hope Ginger recovers quickly and THANK YOU Rob Luck for your call. Ginger is special to many country racing followers.’

 

MORE ANGER AT INACTION OVER THAT RACE IN SYDNEY A WEEK AGO 

SOME punters are still recovering from that farcical race in Sydney a week ago which Stewards saw no need to inquire into:

Here’s an example from ‘BILL FROM BREAKFAST CREEK’ who asked us to withhold his real identity because he is a well-known owner and doesn’t want to pay the price for outspokenness.

'SO here we go again. Like many, many others, I was appalled at the inaction after Randwick Race 6 on Wednesday of last week.

Almost every week in Sydney there is an issue with what we eloquently refer to - rightly or wrongly - as "boat races". There are those who believe – rightly or wrongly – that this could fit the category.

I was trying to remember the last time there was a running and handling type inquiry in Sydney. I can't. Unfortunately the genuine punter places high value on integrity. Without it, the sport is doomed. That's why we have stewards.

During the recent Queensland carnival, we had three starters in supporting races (ours are not Group One types). We didn't have the success we had hoped for but on two occasions our jockey(s) were questioned on their rides. We have no problem with that, as the answer of one jockey (and our trainer when asked) both said the same thing.... ‘not good enough’.

Sydney is a different story.

It really seems the more you succeed, the less accountable you are. Leave it at that, and no, I didn't have a bet in the race.

Something is wrong. Personally, I smell influence and doubtful administration from above, way above.’

 

LISTEN SPORT – HERE’S HOPING SOME RACING TOPICS 'NO GO’ ZONE 

THERE’S a common theme in Queensland racing – the more things change the more they stay the same.

Many stakeholders believe the big mistake that Labor Racing Minister Grace Grace made was her closeness to the Brisbane Racing Club Board, particularly former Chairman Neville Bell.

Most were convinced that would change when the LNP won Government but concerns are growing that her successor Tim Mander is falling into the same trap (we’ll call it that) and now even some within his own Party are questioning links he is said to be building with certain BRC Board Members (for better or worse).

Those who saw Neville Bell and Grace Grace virtually arms linked on Stradbroke Day, not to mention new Chairman Richard Morrison photographed with the former Minister at a club soiree earlier in the Carnival, thought Mander would have learnt to deal arms’ length with the club in his official duties and to keep his distance from getting too close to the Directors.

There was bound to be a close association with BRC Vice Chairman Terry Svenson as the CEO of Queensland Cricket and director Kate Davies through her hard work as CEO of Netball Queensland providing discussions don’t flow over into delicate areas of racing.

One in particular that is causing concern not only among industry stakeholders but also the legion of supporters of highly respected BRC Director Simon Gleeson who resigned in controversial circumstances and his disgruntled dad, Wally, who for some strange reason Minister Mander refuses to meet with.

LGHR is not suggesting for one moment that the Racing Minister is showing favouritism to these BRC Board Members or listening to them on issues involving the Gleeson’s but THIS IS NOT A GOOD LOOK.

Surely, in his role as Racing Minister, one would have thought there is an obligation on Tim Mander to meet with all constituents who have concerns about integrity and transparency in an industry he holds the portfolio for. He was renowned for a ‘level playing field’ when one of the country’s leading rugby league referees – why is racing any different?

It’s pretty obvious that the Racing Review set up by the new Government to examine the future of the three codes will dodge the BRC issue ruling it not part of their platform – an easy out and the cause of some stakeholders declaring it will be nothing more than a political ‘whitewash’.

Mander and his advisors know the Labor Party won’t raise the BRC v Gleeson’s matter in Parliament (thanks to the Board’s closeness with Grace Grace) but questions need to be answered – and there are some in the hierarchy of the LNP who will be asking – if the leading race club in Queensland has nothing to hide why won’t they release Minutes of the last AGM and why won’t the Minister order them to do so, not to mention simply meet with the Gleeson’s when he is being photographed with Board members of the BRC (who have an involvement in other sports) on a regular basis? Once again IT’S NOT A GOOD LOOK.

Then there’s the refusal of the mainstream media to cover this controversy. IT’S NOT A GOOD LOOK either after a high profile Murdoch Media Editor joined BRC Directors and the RQ CEO on a ‘junket’ trip to Las Vegas for the NRL season-opener last year. It would be interesting to know if this was just ‘freebie’ the club’s directors have enjoyed – one of the issues (cost-wise for the club) raised by Wally Gleeson at the AGM.

There’s not much chance of David Fowler (on his Press Room program) questioning what many believe is complete contempt for Simon and Wally Gleeson by the Racing Minister and the BRC. One only has to look at the circumstances behind his replacement of Josh Fleming as ‘supposed’ No 1 race-caller for SKY in Queensland.

Here is the message LGHR has received from THREE HIGH PROFILE AND WIDELY RESPECT ADMINISTRATORS of Queensland racing from yesteryear with a close eye on what is happening right now – and by the way only one of them is from outside the metropolitan area.

‘PLEASE light a fire under the backside of Racing Minister Mander before the entire industry (outside the BRC and their dwindling number of supporters) loses complete confidence in him.

‘What Tim needs to do is accept his responsibilities and examine the evidence that Simon and Wally Gleeson have in a private meeting with them. If he doesn’t order an Independent Inquiry after that then the bloke runs the risk of looking very silly when this becomes a matter of public record (standby for some news in that area) and a an investigative journalist (newspaper or TV) with some courage (that counts out most at the Murdoch Media) stands up to be counted.

 

‘LUCK’ WASN’T ON HIS SIDE WHEN CALLING 'BATTLE OF THE BUSH’ 

PUNTERS can be an unforgiving bunch when it comes to race-calling, just ask the over-rated David Fowler or recently punted Terry Bailey, No 2 at their trade in Queensland and Victoria, or Col Hodges from NSW.

For some reason Hodges, the Dad’s Army of the race-calling business and arguably the worst in the country, continues to hold down his job while SKY makes far better callers like Josh Fleming redundant.

Punters collectively reckon ‘Old Col’s’ job is safe if officialdom continue to use bush broadcasters like Rob Luck on occasions when the Battle of the Bush is run at Eagle Farm.

Rob might be recognised as one of the ‘nice blokes’ of racing who has made a tremendous contribution in the bush but the general opinion of the punting fraternity after his one-off in the city last Saturday was that he shouldn’t be allowed within 100 yards of a broadcast box.

At least in the case of Queensland’s No 2 caller David Fowler and the controversial but ‘like him or despise’ him Terry Bailey they have reached the pinnacle of their career. Bailey bowed out gracefully. It’s time for ‘Feathers’ to follow in his footsteps.

 

PUNTERS CAN BE UNFORGIVING BUNCH WHEN IT COMES TO CALLERS 

HERE is some of the feedback received by LGHR & peterprofit.com:

BARNEY J of BRISBANE wrote:

‘I reckon they invited that bloke Luck to call the Battle of the Bush to make ‘Feathers’ Fowler look good. If so, it achieved its purpose, Fowler sounds like a combination of Ken Howard and Bert Bryant combined compared to him.’

NEVILLE from NORTH GYMPIE told peterprofit.com:

‘The caller must have dropped his binoculars. ‘Back In The Field’ was mentioned 74 times in the final 400m. I thought ‘Back In The Field’ was a horse. He called the photo wrong too. Never mind son. The other one only won by a head. As for third – it wasn’t the one he finally called, about an hour after they crossed the line. Ten points for trying - one for the call.’

DANNY M from TOWNSVILLE:

‘If they wanted a caller from outside Brisbane to officiate with Battle of the Bush, why not invite Tony Wode, Russell Leonard or bring back 'Dog's Dolan for a guest appearance? There are plenty of quality callers in the country without testing their ‘luck’ in the bush. My mates and I knew we were in trouble after reading a story that his mentors included Steve Hawkins and Tony Clements.’

GLEN J of GRAFTON:

‘FOR a moment listening to a guy I had never heard of call the race for ‘bush brumbies’ at Eagle Farm on Saturday I thought good old Col Hodges was making a guest appearance. How that bloke holds his job calling the NSW country meetings when quality broadcasters are made redundant remains a mystery. Perhaps someone from SKY or Tabcorp would like to explain because Hodges is the absolute worst in the business. He arguably has no idea where some horses are in the run and nor do the poor old punters.’ 

WHAT A SHAME LUCK STUMBLED INTO RACE CALLING BY ACCIDENT 

FOR those who aren’t familiar with Rob Luck, better known on the air waves for his hosting of ‘Bush Beat’ on Radio TAB, here’s a story written by Jordan Gerrans for the Racing Queensland website which reads:

LONG-TIME racing identity Rob Luck is the accidental caller. 

Now based at the Gold Coast after decades in the Central West, the respected Luck will reach a career pinnacle behind the binoculars on Saturday afternoon when he calls at a city meeting during the prestigious Queensland carnival. 

For a broadcaster to reach these lofty heights in the industry, it is usually something they have dreamed of doing from a young age.

Luck, on the other hand, fell into the caller’s booth a couple of decades ago by chance and has quickly risen through the ranks since. 

He was on the Longreach Jockey Club committee at the time and would often interview participants in the mounting yard following races and generally add to the atmosphere of a race meeting. 

“We didn’t have a caller for the upcoming meeting,” he recalls.

“I was told that I liked to talk so I would be able to call the races.

“I thought it would be interesting as I had never called a race in my life. I found a pair of binoculars and I survived the day.

“It instilled a bit of desire in me that it wasn’t a bad thing to do, to learn to call races. That inspired me to get involved more so.”

After being thrown in the deep end on debut, Luck eventually started calling every now and again to give regular broadcasters Larry "Bingo" Smith and John Dolnger in the Central West a chop out.

That progressed to being the full-time caller at the Longreach club down the line while also taking on several clubs around the Central West district such as Barcaldine, Blackall, Tambo, Muttaburra, Alpha, Aramac, Bedourie, Betoota and Augathella, among others.

As a mostly self-taught caller, Luck’s ascension to plying his trade at Eagle Farm this Saturday was anything but a natural process.

But, he says he has a competitive desire to do well at everything he puts his mind towards in a professional setting.

While Luck mainly taught himself to call races in the early stages, he has been mentored by several high-profile people within the sport. 

Former Gold Coast broadcaster Steve Hawkins was one who provided guidance, as did Josh Fleming and Brett Moody. 

Retired Roma trainer Craig Smith – who also dabbled in calling – was another who aided Luck, as did former RadioTAB Program Director Tony Clements.

Luck says his wife Leanne has always been a critic of his work while the veteran bookmakers in the Central West were also quick to add their thoughts on how he was performing during a meeting.

Luck feels like he is representing the entire bush racing community when he calls in the big smoke on Saturday afternoon.

“For this weekend coming up, I think it is on behalf of the opportunities I have been given from the small clubs,” he said.

“I am representing those clubs that I have called for in that time. They gave me the chance over the years and I have loved doing it. They have continued to support me.

“To represent the country area, it is a fantastic feeling for me and I am looking forward to doing it.”

After around eight years as the main caller in the Central West, Luck stepped down from the role a few years ago as Andrew Watts has taken over the mantle.

He was inducted as a Life Member of the Central West-based club in 2021.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Please address all the ‘hate mail’ for the above stories to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

TRACK TRANSFORMATION AS GCTC REDEVELOPMENT OFF & RACING 

A $1 BILLION Gold Coast Turf Club transformation plan for a ‘world-class’ residential and retail entertainment precinct will burst out of the gates after more than a year of delays.

ANDREW POTTS reports for the GOLD COAST BULLETIN that developer Aquis and Club bosses have secured final approvals needed before launching the Sunshine Lifestyle Precinct and breaking ground on the development. The ambitious project will have more than 557 units across three towers reaching 21, 16 and 18 storeys.

Turf Club CEO Steve Lines told the Gold Coast Bulletin outstanding matters had been “resolved” and some “minor” refinements would be needed before work could begin.

“This is a fantastic outcome for the Gold Coast,” he said.

“We’ve taken a careful, considered approach from day one, and the outcome reflects that.

“This has never been about moving fast, it’s about doing it properly, and with the community beside us (and) to have that support, and the backing of Gold Coast City Council and the State Government, gives us the confidence to now take the next step.

“We’re proud to have resolved matters in a way that satisfies our local stakeholders and allows us to move forward with certainty.

“The support from the community has been excellent, everyone’s aligned, the wheels are now turning, and we are looking forward to delivering a truly world-class community asset that will generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the Gold Coast.”

Gold Coast Turf Club boss Steve Lines and John Fung of Aquis celebrating the move to push forward with the Sunlight Lifestyle Precinct at Bundall, Picture: Supplied

Turf club bosses have been working to redevelop and expand the precinct for more than three decades. Several previous proposals to turn it into Australia’s answer to Hong Kong’s Happy Valley failed to get the green light.

The current project, now known as the Sunshine Lifestyle Precinct, was unveiled in May 2023 and initially expected to cost $370m.

Among its features will be “market-style” food and retail offerings, “sky gardens” and wellness facilities.

John Fung, the son of Aquis founder Tony Fung, will lead the project but could not provide a timeline of when work would begin.

“We’re incredibly proud to be part of such a transformative vision,” he said.

“Sunlight will be more than a precinct; it’s a chance to create a lasting destination that captures the spirit of the Gold Coast (and) our team is energised and working closely with the Turf Club to take the project to market.”

The project will be taken to the market soon.

“Sunlight will be a place to live, stay, visit and play – and it’s unlike anything currently on offer in this part of the Gold Coast.

“We look forward to revealing more soon.”

The development is named after 2018 Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Sunlight.

It was approved by the council in mid-2024.

There were 13 objections made among 91 submissions during community consultation.

Among the concerns were the height and density of the development, which is far beyond anything previously considered.

It comes just months after the turf club introduced its successful night racing capability – proving a hit with a younger demographic – and a $73m upgrade of its facilities

 

STEWARDS FAIL TO OPEN INQUIRY INTO SUSPECT SYDNEY RACE 

THOSE few remaining brave souls who still have a punt on midweek racing in Sydney could not believe that Stewards failed to open an Inquiry into the running of the sixth race on the Kensington track at Randwick yesterday.

There were only seven starters with the Brad Widdup-trained Hasty Honey plunged from $10 to $3.2 to test the favourite, Pink ShalaLa (which eased from $2 to $2.5), one of three runners from the powerful Chris Waller stable.

It’s history now that Kerrin McEvoy jumped Hasty Honey straight to the front while rival jockeys eased out of any speed battle, including James McDonald who dragged Pink ShalaLa back to second last.

Waller stablemates Captain Maverick (Tim Clark) and Eraantyva (Reece Jones) the third and fourth favouriteS went back with JMac.

And as Archie Butterfly so rightfully highlighted on his must read website, peterprofit.com today, “It was as if Hasty Honey had a disease. No other rider wanted to go near her.”

McEvoy walked them in what could best be described as a ‘snail’s pace’. Leaders don’t lose in races allowed to be run like that. Hasty Honey didn’t. Plunge landed.

This was just another race in Sydney that had a terrible ‘smell’ about it.

 

WHY DIDN’T RAILTON TELL CHIEF STEWARD TO ORDER AN INQUIRY? 

PUNTERS around the country who still bet on the midweeks expected the Racing NSW Stewards’ panel to ask some questions but they were once again disappointed.

LGHR has the utmost respect for internationally experienced Steve Railton. He may not have been in charge on the day but he witnessed what happened as part of the panel. We can’t believe he didn’t order the Chairman to demand a ‘please explain’ from several parties.

The Senior Steward in Charge was Chris Albrecht, a former Bar Manager with the Brisbane Racing Club. He should never be allowed to Chair a Sydney race meeting again – forced to ‘trial’ at the ‘provincials’ before being allowed to even be seen on a city panel.

Adding insult to injury the Albrecht panel only questioned one of the three riders on the Chris Waller trio and that was Tim Clark who went back to last on the least fancied Captain Maverick and burdened by the slow pace beat only two home.

Stewards didn’t bother speaking to Waller (or his stable representative) and more importantly JMac over the tactics adopted on the favourite Pink Shalala which was most of the ‘experts’ good thing on the day.

If that’s protecting the interests of the punters – who have been walking away from betting on Sydney racing in droves – then we give up.

 

YOU BE THE JUDGE: WERE PUNTERS ENTITLED TO FEEL CHEATED? 

YOU be the judge of whether there should have been an Inquiry into RACE 6 on the KENSO and if there was reason for not only keen form students but every day punters to feel they were cheated.

THE winner HASTY HONEY was unlucky 1^st-up from a break when a closing 4^th over a shorter trip at Warwick Farm. She was slowly away on that occasion but had shown pace in the past. So did bookies bet 'overs' or was the plunged runner 'gifted' the race by rival jockeys?

WALLER had multiple runners in the race but short-priced PINK SHALALA was the obvious standout. The stable mysteriously advised of a change of tactics indicating the four-year-old would be ridden more conservatively which was why JMac dragged him back at the start.

The way the race was run Pink Shalala faced an impossible task to win. Failure of the Stewards to question JMac or Waller is another reason where – rightly or wrongly – some punters claim they are ‘untouchable’ in Sydney racing.

CAPTAIN MAVERICK was 1^st-up and had no fresh form since coming to Australia to suggest he would trouble Pink Shalala. Why Stewards decided to question the tactics of Clark (who said he rode to instructions) remains a mystery.

ERAANTYVA, the other Waller runner, had settled 2^nd at his previous start at Canterbury but on Wednesday went back after being bumped at the start. Of the stable trio his effort in beating only one home was the most disappointing.

LGHR supports what our colleague Archie Butterfly wrote:

‘This was disgraceful sub-standard stewarding. If this race doesn’t concern you about the integrity of Sydney racing, then nothing will. No-one ever told us that a river ran through Randwick. Or that it is possible to run boat races on the inner grass.’

 

WEDNESDAY WHINGE TIME – HAVE YOUR SAY ON ALL THINGS RACING

ONE of the main topics of discussion this week has been the just concluded Royal Ascot Carnival in Britain where attendances increased over the five days by almost five per cent.

Over 286,000 racegoers turned out with a crowd better on each day than it was last year which officials have attributed to new admission pricing levels with entry into the Windsor enclosure for as little as just over $A50.

Fine weather was also the key for this year’s carnival which has been described as an unforgettable week of world class racing attended by the Royal Family, headed by King Charles, with their arrival procession down the straight one of the highlights.

But when it comes to comparisons, Australian punters in particular, aren’t interested in spending half the night watching the action from England. Here are some samples of what our contributors had to say:

POMS SCAMPERING AROUND IN SILLY BOWLER HATS & PENGUIN SUITS’ 

JAMES J of MELBOURNE: ‘It was interesting to note that Royal Ascot over five days attracted an identical crowd to that which attended the four days of Melbourne Cup week at Flemington. The total for the entire Spring Carnival was close to 600,000.’

ANDY K, also from MELBOURNE: ‘I’m not one for pomp and ceremony at the races. The sight of thousands of fat ‘poms’ scampering around in silly bowler hats and penguin suits does nothing for me and my mates. .We’re there for the racing and Royal Ascot just doesn’t compare with ours.’

ROY M, of SYDNEY, writes: ‘Give me The Everest and Golden Slipper or Derby Day, Cox Plate or the Melbourne Cup – these blow Royal Ascot’s feature races out of the water. Why would you bother spending half the night up watching the best the Brits can attract when ours are arguably far better?’

KEVIN H of MELBOURNE writes: ‘If I want to listen to racing commentators with ‘plums in their mouth’ there’s no need to wait for Royal Ascot. I have to cope with it every day of the week on racing.com. Whatever happened to promoting young home-bred Australian women to do the job? At least they don’t make me feel like I need to crack out the cucumber sandwiches.’

PERCY the PUNTER from BRISBANE brought back some memories: ‘About the only thing I like about Royal Ascot is waiting to see who Charlie and Camilla share their buggy with for the parade down the straight. I was delighted to see PVL (Peter V’landys) perched beside them one year. Good old OZ couldn’t replicate that. Remember the time the Queen’s GG got pissed and made a fool of himself at the Melbourne Cup presentation. Then there was the story that the Governor had to arrive early for a big carnival day in Queensland because one of the high profile officials who greeted him was a risk of falling over if it was past noon – that bloke did like a drink. Not to mention the time one of our Racing Minister’s needed help from the Directors of a major club who had to carry him to his Government vehicle after the last and they say his driver was more pissed than him.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Your last reference is one of the comical highlights of a book I am writing. Believe it or not with a little help from his friends (and LGHR was one of them back then) we managed to sober him up in time to officially open the harness carnival at Albion Park that night but not before he did the wrong thing in a big rubbish bin being used to hold entries for a ‘win a car’ competition only to be caught in the act by the ‘Rothman’s Girls’. It’s quite a yarn and every bit of it is true.

 

HOW DARE WE COMPARE IPSWICH CUP DAY WITH STRADBROKE 

LGHR copped a spray from SIMON P of HAMILTON over our suggestion that Ipswich Cup Day was more popular with racegoers that the Stradbroke at Eagle Farm:

‘IT was just another excuse for your pathetic website to give the best and most successful club in Queensland a bagging. To even speak of Cup day at feral city in the same breath as the best race meeting in the State is an insult. Why didn’t you mention how inferior the races are on Ipswich Cup day to those run at the Stradbroke meeting? You only want to highlight negatives about a club that should still be running racing in Queensland which was done far more successfully when the QTC was in charge to this poor excuse they call Racing Queensland. Just look at the result of the Ipswich Cup which was won by a 10-year-old that hadn’t saluted for 1175 days.’

EDITOR’S NOTE: For the record more than 12,500 revellers turned out for Ipswich Cup Day. There were no police reports of arrests for unruly behaviour which have occurred in the past – but nothing like the drunk and disorderly behaviour they have to deal with on ‘MEKKA Day’ which is coming up in Brisbane – oops here we go again focussing on the negatives at the BRC. And as for your criticism of Flash Aah, the win was testimony to his longevity, the patience of his owners and the training ability of underrated Troy Pascoe.  

 

WHO’S PULLING THE STRINGS AS GLEESON BRC AGM DRAMA UNFOLDS

AND on the subject of the BRC, DANNY K of BRISBANE raised a couple of interesting questions concerning the on-going stoush between disgruntled Member Wally Gleeson and the major club:

His email reads: ‘I have two questions to ask about the problems being encountered by Mr Gleeson and the BRC Board. If they have nothing to hide what is the problem with releasing Minutes of the last AGM. And if there was an option for Mr Gleeson to ‘view’ the Minutes why didn’t he? One thing that is being overlooked in all of this – and I am assured it is correct – involves the reasons the Racing Minister (Tim Mander) won’t instruct the BRC to release the Minutes or meet personally with Mr Gleeson and his son, Simon, who resigned as a Director of the Club. Those who should know say Mander is under pressure from fellow Minister and MP for the Eagle Farm-Doomben area in Tim Nicholls, who is known to be close to the BRC. The question should be asked whether the LNP Government is no better than Labor was when Grace Grace had the racing portfolio. The closeness of both to some Board Members of the BRC needs to be examined but don’t expect that to happen from the Review now underway as they will find a reason to declare it not their responsibility. This whole affair and Minister Mander’s MIA has a definite smell about it.’

EDITOR’S NOTE: My support for Wally and Simon Gleeson has been well documented. As for the BRC being dragged kicking and screaming by a reluctant RQ into providing an opportunity to ‘view’ the Minutes. The conditions applied would have been unacceptable to anyone. LGHR is a great fan of Minister Mander but why he hasn’t met with the Gleeson’s and simply stepped in and ordered the BRC to give him a copy of what they are entitled to remains a mystery. The LNP might think this issue won’t be raised by the Opposition in Parliament but there are other avenues open to Wally which he shouldn’t have to take but will if he doesn’t get a satisfactory answer soon.

 

KIAARN DICKENS SUPER TIPSTER & PUNTERS’ PAL AT IPSWICH CUP 

BELINDA S of the GOLD COAST writes:

THERE was a success story on Ipswich Cup Day that didn’t attract the publicity it deserved.

Kiaarn Dickens, a form expert for SKY, managed to tip Flash Aah, the $51 winner of the Ipswich Cup then Oughton which won the Eye Liner at $10.

This was no flash in the pan for Kieren who tips big priced winners on a regular basis for the legion of punters who now follow her.

When she teams with Paul Joice at the Sunshine Coast on a Sunday, the SKY coverage is a ‘must watch’ and very entertaining. Unlike the times when either have to do a ‘painful’ duet with the most boring tipster (he should have stuck to school teaching) in Damian Courtney.’

Sadly, there is a story doing the rounds that Kiaarn will soon be lost (one would hope only temporarily) to SKY in Queensland. Apparently she is heading back to NSW to help care for a sick relative (we understand it to be her dad). God spare us more of Courtney, send him to Dalby or Kilcoy where his talents and tipping skills are more suited.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I think you are being a shade harsh when it comes to Damien, who LGHR admits having known for many years. We thought his tipping was as good as any at the Sunny Coast conceding Kiaarn is a standout. The common complaint we get about ‘Damo’ is that he retired from school teaching and took on a job with SKY when they were making workers redundant. That’s typical of SKY – just look at the hatchet job they did on Queensland’s No 1 race-caller but let’s not go down the ‘political motives’ track again.

 

‘HIGH PROFILE RACING FAMILY AT CENTRE OF ESTATE DISPUTE?’ 

GLEN B of REDCLIFFE posed a puzzle for us:

‘There is a reliable story doing the rounds about a high profile Queensland racing family involved in a major dispute over a valuable estate.

Story goes the children of a prominent licensee are challenging the validity of his/her will. Apparently they missed out on the goodies that should have been delivered their way when the person died.

But in the lead-up to his/her death apparently the much-liked identity suffered a dose of the Asian flu and the estate was changed to head the way of the late arrival on the scene.’

EDITOR’S NOTE: I have no idea who you are talking about but have published this email to see what feedback it attracts. These things happen when you least expect them in life but I am sure the siblings have a smart lawyer who can help them challenge what has happened.

 

BUSH RACING BEING HELD TO RANSOM BY LACK OF ACTION FROM RQ

GREG BLANCHARD, a regular contributor from the GOLD COAST, has provided us with an update as he continues the fight to overcome scratchings from bush meetings because there are insufficient jockeys. He writes:

YET another black eye for Racing Queensland not to mention owners paying to have horses trained only to miss a start because there is no-one to ride them. Last Saturday two horses had to be scratched from meetings at Innisfail and McKinlay and three at Roma. Apart from being embarrassing it simply isn’t good enough.

And while this is happening RQ continues to sit on its hands when apprentices from overseas want to ride here. Last Saturday at Te Aroha a lad from Mauritius (Abhay Seesa) rode a winner at his first ride in New Zealand. Fellow Mauritian Prinish was based in Rockhampton for nearly two years being promised an apprenticeship which was never going to happen and now he is gone. Anybody who would like me to send them articles about Prinish I’d be happy to do so just like I have done to RQ to prove my point.

EDITOR’S NOTE: GREG is still awaiting a response from RQ. Perhaps those responsible are too busy preparing for the Government Estimates Hearings which will determine who gets the goodies – if it goes to the BRC for a new Members’ Grandstand and not to new lights at Toowoomba there will be an industry uproar Mr Minister.

 

PAUL REVEALS WHY HE DECIDED TO WALK AWAY FROM PARTNERSHIP

IN a recent interview with CRAIG KERRY of FAIRFAX MEDIA, PAUL SNOWDEN has answered the question that many have been asking about his training split with dad Peter.

The father-and-son team, with stables at Randwick and Flemington, was formed after their move away from Darley in 2014. They went on to win more than 1260 races, including 20 Group One’s the first two editions of The Everest, with Redzel.

Opening up for the first time about the split, Paul said: “We hadn’t been getting along for probably the last 10 years.

“We sort of kept it under wraps from everyone for a little while, so it was nothing new. I just wanted a change.

“I didn’t know if I was finished in the industry. I was dirty on it. I didn’t know if it was because of my work relationship with him, or I just needed to start again.

“After about a month I worked out, it’s just a job. Since I’ve been up here, it’s been good.”

Paul, though, said he had desires to go out on his own even before the partnership.

“I always knew I was going to be in his shadow all the time, and I didn’t want that,” Snowden Jnr said.

 

QUEENSLAND TRAINING DUO HAVE DECIDED TO GO SEPARATE WAYS

THERE has also been another duo who has decided to go their own way in the training ranks in Queensland as the email to owner explains:

‘WE’RE writing to share an important update regarding the future of E&M Racing.

Over the past year, we’ve enjoyed some great results and memorable moments together, and we’re incredibly grateful for the support you’ve shown us and your horses during this time.

After careful consideration, we’ve made the mutual decision to dissolve the E&M Racing partnership and continue our training careers independently. This is a respectful and positive step forward for both of us, allowing us to pursue individual goals while continuing to do what we love.

Stephen will be launching his own training business under his name, while Toby will also continue training independently, remaining actively involved in the industry.

Our priority is to ensure a smooth and professional transition for all horses and owners. In the coming days, you may receive further communication. Syndicated horses may require a simple vote or confirmation.

We’d like to thank you sincerely for being part of our journey. Your trust and support have meant a great deal, and we look forward to continuing to work with many of you in our new capacities.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss your horse’s arrangements, please feel free to contact us directly.

Warm regards,

Toby Edmonds & Stephen McLean
E&M Racing  

 

NO MOUNTAIN TOO HIGH TO CLIMB IF YOU DON’T ROCK THE POLITICAL BOAT - MICHAEL DUFF  HAS PROVED THAT & GOOD ON HIM 

HISTORY shows that if you survive long enough in the Public Service in Queensland – and most importantly don’t rock the political boat – no mountain is too high to climb.

This is no knock for Michael Duff, once a fellow newspaper scribe and good mate, who is now the Director the Office of Racing, within the multiple portfolios of Sport, Racing, Olympic & Paralympics Games for which Minister Tim Mander is responsible.

LGHR wants to talk about this for two reasons:

It’s not as though Michael, son of the late, great trainer Pat Duff, can boast an overnight success story since quitting journalism for a role in the Public Service. Through hard work – and an ability to transcend State Governments of both political persuasions – he has now one of the highest racing industry roles.

 Racing Minister Mander has deputised Duff and Tiana Van Haren, Executive Director, Partnerships, Strategy and Development for his Department, to deal with a problem that refuses to go away. That’s the insistence of disgruntled Brisbane Racing Club Board Member, Wally Gleeson, that he cannot legally be refused a copy of the Minutes of the last AGM. Wally and his son, Simon, who quit as a BRC Board director in controversial circumstances, have been invited to meet with Van Haren and Duff to discuss their grievances. Does this mean the duo are a step closer to what should have happened from the outset – a face-to-face and please explain from the Minister?

If you think Wally Gleeson has gone MIA on this issue in recent weeks, that’s because he has undergone hip surgery. But he’s back … and firing on all cylinders. Here’s an update for those who are interested – and he has a legion of supporters.

 

IF THERE IS NO COVER UP MINISTER NEEDS TO MEET WITH GLEESONS

WALLY GLEESON has been requesting a meeting with Minister Tim Mander for almost 12 months and has provided comprehensive information on the ‘public interest disclosure' made his son Simon relating to the BRC.

To date he has received no response from the Minister which he finds ‘beyond belief of reasonable persons given the seriousness of the situaton’.

It is Gleeson’s understanding that the Minister is required, according to Government policy, to respond to correspondence from a member of the public.

As a financial Member of the BRC, Gleeson has requested on numerous occasions that Racing Queensland, as the regulatory body, obtain a copy of the AGM Minutes which he says has been denied by the BRC. He insists that an offer to ‘view’ them was unsatisfactory because when he requested details of the ‘viewing process’ there was no response from the BRC.

Gleeson believes a lack of action on this serious issue and a refusal by the Minister to instigate an investigation ‘reeks of a cover-up and arguably collusion between Racing Queensland and the BRC’.

“Once again, I reiterate the public interest disclosure communicated to the Minister on several occasions was made in good faith and it is NOT a vexatious claim. Rather it was reported as a matter of integrity in a context of an absence of good governance, lack of transparency and accountability, and breaches of declarations of conflicts of interest,” Gleeson Snr said.

“I have spoken with Kym Daly, who is playing a major role in conduct of the current Review and while I have the greatest respect for him personally, he made it clear that the disclosure I have made is not within his terms of reference.

“I fear that the Review findings will be nothing but a whitewash and my issue will be buried under a heading of Governance and Integrity which means nothing and that the prevailing culture will remain. Please note that the original disclosure was made prior to the State Election.”

Gleeson has made it clear that he wishes to meet with the Minister. He has advised the Department: “If the Minister is unwilling to see me, I will have no alternative but to pursue other avenues available to me. My goal is to achieve an outcome that will ensure the matter underpinned by the evidence provided to you is treated with the seriousness it deserves.

“Above all, as a former jockey, trainer, and country race club administrator and currently as a thoroughbred owner, breeder and syndicator, I, along with the rest of my family, am passionate about the racing industry. For this reason, I do not wish to see the ongoing and increasing erosion of public confidence in the industry to be the result of inaction and lack of regulation at the highest level.”

 

DID TURF EDITOR WANT DIRECTOR OF RACING SACKED WHEN TURF SCRIBE?

WALLY & SIMON Gleeson know plenty about breeding thoroughbreds. They should consider whether the breeding of personnel responsible for the running of racing is just as important. But does the apple fall far from the tree?

Michael Duff is the son of a highly respected and successful trainer but decided against following in his footsteps. Dr Bob Mason, a close relation and former vet, had a lengthy and successful Public Service career, from the Russ Hinze Days through to Executive Director of Racing when Bob Gibbs and Merri Rose were the Ministers.

Despite a close family friendship with Bob Gibbs, there are those who credited Pat Duff and Bob Mason with an ability to successfully work with both sides of Government. Mason ended his career as Racing Integrity Manager with the RQ Board headed by Bob Bentley.

Over the years Michael – no doubt with career guidance from his father and Dr Bob – has managed to dodge the racing icebergs as his career in the Public Service has taken a meteoric rise. From my dealings with the now Director of Racing he is a far different ‘political animal’ to his father and especially the 'Good Doctor', who was a great survivor.

LGHR feels it is important to relay a story from way back when Michael Duff and I shared a desk in the Racing Department of the then Daily Sun newspaper. Political feelings were running high with Bob Gibbs, the Labor Racing Minister of the day, determined to end control of racing by the old Queensland Turf Club.

Back then Pat Duff, one of the high flyers with the Queensland Branch of the Australian Trainers’ Association was a great supporter of Gibbs, unlike Des Mullins, who ran the Queensland Trainers’ Association which backed the QTC.

The Turf Editor at Sun Newspapers at the time was not a fan of Pat Duff or his son Michael and there were behind the scenes moves to have Duff Jnr unceremoniously sacked – not because he wasn’t doing his job but for ‘political’ reasons.

LGHR went into bat for Michael and told management ‘if he goes, so do I’. At least at the time we had an Editor who judged journalists on their ability not the need to dispense them to the ‘naughty corner’ because they refused to toe the line with the ‘boss’ or an unethical Editor being wined and dined by harness racing ‘heavies’.

Pat Duff came to LGHR later and said: ‘I will never forget what you did for Michael’. With good reason his son moved on to greener pastures thanks to support during the Gibbs era and although promotions haven’t occurred overnight – he hasn’t looked back.

By all reports Michael has treated industry personnel with respect, dignity and certainly no favoritism. Here’s hoping he does the same with Wally and Simon Gleeson, hasn’t forgotten what happened to him and who was responsible back in his days as a turf journalist and – heaven forbid – convinces the Minister to meet with father and son.

For the purposes of transparency, LGHR once worked for a short time for the Gibbs Government when Dr Bob Mason was in charge of the Racing Department. Our relationship with Dr Bob turned sour when he moved from the Government to RQ to run an expanded Integrity Department.

It would take too long to outline why we fell out – that story will save for the book we are writing – but suffice to say Dr Bob and his First Lieutenant wanted a certain steward with questionable ethics to be appointed to replace Alan Reardon as RQ Chairman. The steward at the time had family ties with the Duff’s. LGHR provided Bentley with some background and the pending appointment was sabotaged for all the right reasons. But, from my point of view, they proved to be an unforgiving lot.

 

HARNESS RACING SHOULD AT LEAST TRY TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION IT IS SQUEAKY CLEAN ON EVE OF AN ALBION PARK INTER-DOMINION 

IT’S the eve of Albion Park hosting another Inter-Dominion and one would hope that trainers, drivers and stewards are doing everything possible to at least give the impression that harness racing in Queensland is ‘squeaky clean’.

But that seems to be a ‘mission impossible’ – even some of our top trainer-drivers arguably can’t help themselves and Stewards – from the Acting Chairman down – seem unable to do anything to correct the problem.

LGHR gave up on the ‘red hots’ long ago – sadly believing it to be ‘corrupt’ on and off the track in some quarters. The achievements of local champ Leap To Fame has convinced us to watch whenever he races. The Inter-Dominion means so much from the past that it is on the ‘must see’ agenda.

Unlike LGHR, our colleague Archie Butterfly from peterprofit.com is an avid follower of all things harness in Australia and across the Ditch. Reading what he writes and listening to those who have stayed loyal to Queensland harness racing, it appears the more things change the more they stay the same.

From the days of Racing Minister Russ Hinze back in the 80’s when he had big team trained privately by Darrel Alexander to the present day, the running of too many races have been ‘on the nose’. Don’t blame the trainer-drivers if they can get away with it – this is an Integrity issue where the rot set in when Stewards were terrified to take action against horses raced by ‘Big Russ’. Sadly the situation has not improved despite changes in the policing ranks and those who employ them having moved from the QHRB, to RQ and now QRIC.

It doesn’t matter if you mention the name Darryl Kays or David Farquharson, punters will lay the blame for the current state of affairs in harness racing in Queensland partly at their feet. Now the search is underway for a new Chief Steward with Norm Torpey minding the store until that happens.

There are those who believe that Torpey was part of the problem from the past and that he is not strong enough to hold down the job even in an acting capacity. We are on the doorstep of an Albion Park Inter-Dominion. Does that mean Torpey will be in charge of proceedings?

COLLEAGUE Archie Butterfly doesn’t pull any punches when he writes for the subscriber-only site, peterprofit.com.

He believes a couple of our top drivers are ‘protected species’ and has written a series of ‘must read’ articles about incidents in recent times that certainly need addressing by QRIC.

LGHR has the utmost respect for the way internationally-experienced steward, now QRIC Deputy Commissioner Kim Kelly does his job. But punters will continue to walk away in droves until he finds a hard-hitting, no-nonsense Chief Steward to clean the joint up and start disqualifying a couple of the high profile trainers and reinsmen considered responsible for the ‘rorts’.

‘LUCKY LINDSAY’ LANDS PLUNGE WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM FRIENDS?

THIS is an article published by ‘The Butterfly’ on peterprofit.com which we are sure he will not mind us reproducing that needs addressing by QRIC (from both an integrity and administrative aspect). It reads:

THE former bookmaker Lindsay Gallagher-owned pacer The Post Office was sensationally backed in the last few minutes of betting to win the first race at Marburg on Sunday, firming from $51 late into $11 at the jump.

The Post Office delivered by landing the plunge, but only after two extraordinary strokes of uncommonly good fortune that have set heads shaking and tongues wagging across the harness racing world.

The first crazy piece of luck the connections of The Post Office had was their horse actually getting a run on Sunday, because it shouldn’t have.

The Post Office had been scheduled to run at Albion Park last Tuesday, but had been a late scratching on the day of the race.

Under Racing Queensland policy any horse scratched after the release of fields should be stood down for 13 days to commence from the date the horse was engaged to race, unless a suitable veterinary clearance has been received by QRIC Stewards clearing the horse to race, in which case the minimum period for the horse to be stood down from racing shall be reduced to six days.

In other words, should a trainer provide a veterinary certificate which is approved by QRIC Stewards, the horse may be cleared to race no sooner than the same day the following week.

That’s tomorrow (Tuesday) for those without a calendar, not yesterday (Sunday) at Marburg.

The Post Office was ineligible to race.

But somehow it did.

Strangely, or perhaps not, there was no mention of the horse’s scratching last Tuesday in the Stewards’ Report, or any mention of the mandatory stand down period having been imposed.

That was the first piece of luck, or of deficiently poor racing administration, whichever you prefer.

The second stroke of luck came courtesy of Nathan Dawson.

Dawson was driving the leader, with The Post Office in a pocket on its back.

Marburg doesn’t have a sprint lane and there were horses in the running line from the death seat back to last, so when Dawson’s horse began to collapse in a heap turning into the straight to get the bell, The Post Office was in more trouble than Flash Gordon and looked set to be dragged all the way back to last.

Then a miracle happened.

Dawson’s horse drifted out and away from the fence, presenting The Post Office with a rarely seen at the Marburg trots, perfect run up the inside of the leader.

Whooshka he went up the rail and to the lead, and from there it was game over, plunge landed.

‘Lucky Lindsay’ they call Gallagher.

My mum always said you always make your own (luck).

I guess she wasn’t thinking about the trots at the time.

Or perhaps back then they had ‘real’ Stewards, who say things for what they were, and acted accordingly.

Gee that seems a long time ago!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Here’s the only comments Marburg Stewards made concerning the race in question on Sunday – surely what happened should have been the subject of an Inquiry but it wasn’t:

SNEAKY DELIGHT hung out multiple times during the run and shifted out in the front straight with a lap remaining which allowed The Post Office (Shane Graham) an inside run to obtain the lead with a lap remaining. The filly will be required to trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards before racing again. Trainer advises that he will experiment with gear alterations before trialling the filly.

THE POST OFFICE obtained an inside run in the front straight prior to the bell when Sneaky Delight shifted out.

AT his only other start the two-year-old was beaten 27m in a Redcliffe Maiden on June 11 when sixth of nine at $51. He is trained and driven by Shane Graham.   

 

CONTROVERSY RIDES SHOTGUN WITH GALLAGHER AFTER BOOKIE DAYS 

THROUGHOUT his long career as a bookmaker – and even in retirement – LINDSAY GALLAGHER has ridden shotgun with controversy in the racing and harness racing industry.

In 2005 Gallagher denied allegations of altering race odds but admitted breaking the Rules when he gave evidence at the Daubney-Rafter Inquiry into the Queensland Racing industry.

Counsel assisting the Inquiry, Ralph Devlin, named several races in which it was alleged Gallagher colluded with other bookmakers to change the odds. He was also shown a record of telephone calls between himself and a business associate in Sydney in 2002, but  Gallagher denied they related to a particular race in which the associate won a quarter of a million dollars and said someone else may have been using his mobile on that day.

In 2011 Gallagher was found guilty of more than 30 charges and his licence to field was suspended for a month by Racing Queensland stewards who also banned him from using his personal mobile phone at the races and imposed fines of $2,000 and $4,000 relating to various charges.

The Racing Appeals Committee subsequently ruled that the penalty was excessive and reduced the suspension to time served. Reports back then suggest the hearing was closed to the media despite requests by Stewards for it to be open.

In retirement, controversy has continued to haunt Gallagher and earlier this year QRIC banned the former King of the Rails Ring-turned professional trots punter from the birdcage enclosure at harness meetings.

Gallagher, who had been regularly seen fraternising with drivers in the authorised persons’ only area before races at Albion Park and Redcliffe was advised that he would only be permitted there when he had a horse racing.

 LGHR has had a ‘hot and cold’ relationship with Gallagher over the years  – starting out from the day we labelled him ‘the crystal ball’ at the trots largely because horses he wanted to risk always seemed to get beaten and those he nailed to the ground had a habit of winning.

We watched with interest his close relationship with RQ Chairman of the Day Bob Bentley (who LGHR was working for) at a time when the then Betting Steward Ian Black made some serious allegations to his superiors about Gallagher getting off his stand early after posting prices at Ipswich that were being bet in Sydney. Black claimed senior stewards refused to listen to his concerns.    

In a story written by Jordan Gerrans for Racing Queensland, Gallagher conceded he was always more a ‘harness man’.

Retiring in 2021 after the best part of 40 years of bookmaking, Gallagher turned his hand to pacing ownership. But he remained a regular at the gallops and trots becoming a familiar figure with his ‘lap top’.  

“As it has gone on, I have become more interested in the trots and I like them better than the gallops anyway. I liked them more when I was younger and now I do again in my old days, I am finishing where I started really,” Gallagher told Gerrans.

Whatever his preferences Sunday’s result at Marburg certainly suggests Gallagher is still a ‘successful force’ at the ‘red hots’.

Punters would like to hear what Kim Kelly thinks about the current situation and those concerns being raised about Albion Park racing by Archie Butterfly. LGHR would be delighted to publish any response that QRIC wants to make.   

 

LEGION OF PUNTERS APPLAUD GREATER CIARON MAHER PRESENCE IN SYDNEY RACING HOPING HE CAN REDUCE CHRIS WALLER DOMINANCE

ONE suspects the Australian Turf Club Board decision to grant tenancy of the famous Leilani Lodge at Randwick to champion trainer Ciaron Maher would be of little more significance to most punters than just another racing news item.

But our feedback from the coalface of Victoria’s all-conquering stable suggests that behind the scenes there is a determination from Maher to challenge the growing domination of Sydney racing by Chris Waller which will be music to the ears of a legion of punters.

They are hoping that Maher will significantly increase his horse strength in Sydney and at least reduce the biggest headache confronting punters where heavily-backed Waller favourites continue to be beaten while second-string stablemates win far too often for their liking.

Those close to Maher say his competitive streak has a burning desire to provide more competition for Waller whose domination of Sydney racing has forced many punters to look elsewhere to bet. They argue that following the form of horses from his stable is near on impossible with stewards doing next to nothing to arrest the situation.

There are those who say the number of horses the 14-time Sydney premiership-winning trainer is allowed should be reduced, as happens with top stables in Hong Kong. Critics argue that the great TJ Smith achieved 33-straight and there was never such a suggestion.  In any case Waller has too much influence with officialdom for that to happen and any reduction would be ruled a restriction of trade.

Maher, on track to again upstage Waller as the nation’s leading trainer, will now have access to the 59-box on-course Leilani Lodge, ending the Cumming’s family half century association with the stables.

 His NSW operation already has boxes at Warwick Farm, Bong Bong and at Bobs Farm, north of Newcastle. Surprisingly, to some, the ATC Board gave Maher the Leilani Lodge tenancy over Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Waller has 15 acceptors for the eight races his stable is entitled to contest at Rosehill on Saturday, including two favourites. Maher has only three. That should soon change.

Rather than drive and punters away from Sydney racing as continues to happen, LGHR believes that stablemates should be bracketed for betting purposes, starting with the TAB.

If the Corporates can bet back to sixth and seventh in races and provide ‘free bets’ if you lose, why can’t they introduce a stable ‘bracket bet’ along with the one thing most punters want and that is for them to pay a quarter of the odds for the place? What they do now is daylight robbery but they are allowed to continue to get away with it. Why?

 

ASK MONDAY -- SUPPORT  TUESDAY -- RESPONSE  WEDNESDAY 

PETER MAIR, our regular Sydney contributor, has weighed in with a couple of interesting observations, start with:

‘THIS sequence was pleasing.

Wednesday (on https://thestraight.com.au)

WAIT continues for NSW Thoroughbred Racing Act Review.

NSW Racing Minister David Harris insists a Review of the state’s Thoroughbred Racing Act remains firmly on his agenda despite no progress on its implementation in the three months since it was announced.

Harris confirmed the Review in March, saying the Government was looking for someone to undertake the process. “We are trying to find any potential conflicts of whoever that person might be and have them be fully independent, but with an understanding of the racing industry. As you might expect, that's not an easy task,” he said at the time.

..... and the full story is here…

https://thestraight.com.au/wait-continues-for-nsw-thoroughbred-racing-act-review/

On Monday -- the question was put:

The NSW Government is wary of a wide-ranging Inquiry mooted by the Opposition. This Government, that should be taking control, is still only toying with a Review of the racing legislation. The Minister for racing has given no starting date, reporting deadline or indicative riding instructions.

Support (from LGHR) on Tuesday:

...........but ominously,

EDITOR’S NOTE: From what LGHR has been told, those at the coalface of Racing in NSW aren’t keen to listen to PETER MAIR because he tells them what they don’t want to hear.

.............Minister -- wait no longer

I know someone who is saddled up and ready to run.

Alas the Minister has blocked my emails:

MESSAGE BLOCKED

Your message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. has been blocked.

AND on the track Peter has this advice for those planning to invest on Saturday:    

ROUGH RACING ACROSS THE EASTERN SEABOARD THIS WEEKEND  

IT is winter, the Carnival is over, the weather's fine and there are 24 quadrella-races to keep punters entertained. Punters will bet sensibly and modestly, expecting to ‘lose a bit’ – so one might think.

The punters may be knowledgeable and sensible. However, very probably, the most-punter set have no hope of winning and most will ‘lose the lot’, again.

Runners in these winter-card races are usually unreliable – few will have much hope of placing. Even so, 10, finishing 10^th or better, will get generous prize-money, more than covering expenses for a hit-out.

Brace for some big Quadrella and First4 dividends. Across the board, on-average, only four of 14 in each race are at pre-post odds of 10/1 or less. Beware in Melbourne and Ipswich.

 

OVERDUE INDUCTEES TO THE AUSTRALIAN RACING HALL OF FAME 

THE Sunshine State will play host to the star-studded dual event which is the 2025 Australian Racing Hall of Fame and the Australian Racehorse of the Year.

The double-header promises to be a ceremony etched in history as a stellar line-up of inductees will be honored, and the Champion Racehorse of the Year will be announced on Sunday, August 31 at “The Star” in Brisbane.

In an illustrious career spanning over six decades in Australian racing, the iconic and much-loved ‘voice of racing’ John Tapp OAM will be inducted as one of the greats of the racing industry in the Associate category.

John Tapp’s 33 years at the microphone and his rich contribution beyond race calling in his three decades-long media career has made him one of the greatest story tellers and historians of our generation. “Tappy” will be honored for his enduring excellence, utmost dedication to his craft and his ability to bring the magic of racing into our homes.
Queensland’s own Peter Moody, the mastermind trainer behind Black Caviar and many other equine greats will be celebrated for a career built on resilience and brilliance, carving a legacy as one of Australia’s greatest modern-day racing minds. Growing up in the bush and working his way through the ranks to reach International stardom with Black Caviar, Peter Moody has also guided many champions to greatness including his multiple group 1 winner Typhoon Tracy, Dissident and most recently, superstar stayer, Incentivise.

The brilliant master tactician, jockey Zac Purton earns a most deserving place in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Purton’s outstanding riding career has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the early days of his apprenticeship in Coffs Harbour, to then go on and win the Brisbane Jockeys’ Premiership in 2002/03, to now - where he has reached the pinnacle of Hong Kong racing, amassing seven Hong Kong Jockeys’ Premierships riding some of the world’s highest ranked thoroughbreds.
Zac Purton also holds the record for the most number of wins in the history of Hong Kong racing at 1,836.

In the Thoroughbred category, champions Mahogany and Hydrogen will take their place in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
Mahogany, trained by the legendary Lee Freedman was undoubtedly one of the most gifted and versatile thoroughbreds to grace the Australian turf in the 1990’s. Capturing the Victoria Derby, the AJC Australian Derby and also the Australian and Caulfield Guineas as a three-year-old, Mahogany stamped himself as a classic star. The Champion then went on to reinvent himself later in his career as an outstanding sprinter, claiming victories in two Lightning Stakes over 1000m at Flemington.

1952 and 1953 Cox Plate winner, Hydrogen was a towering presence whose name became synonymous with toughness, class and true staying power. Hydrogen, a crowd favourite in the 1950’s competed fiercely against the likes of Rising Fast, Delta and Dalray and truly cemented his name among the greats. Etching his name in history, Hydrogen’s legacy burns brightly more than half a century on.

Australian Racing Hall of Fame Committee Chair, Mr Jason Scott summed up the sentiments of the judging panel perfectly on what will be a very special ceremony:

"The Australian Racing Hall of Fame is a testament to those who achieved the pinnacle in the sport, and the calibre of this year's inductees is nothing short of remarkable.

“Mahogany as an eight-time Group 1 winner sits in the top echelon of Australia's modern-day greats, and dual Cox Plate champion Hydrogen is recognized as one of our most versatile thoroughbreds, winning anywhere from six furlongs to two miles.”

“Zac Purton is still to this day breaking records both at home and abroad in Hong Kong where he now reigns supreme as the jurisdiction's most successful hoop in terms of outright wins claiming a total of seven jockey premierships.

“It's fitting that in a year where the Sunshine State will host the evening, we induct one of Queensland's finest in Peter Moody, alongside one of the sport's most iconic broadcasters and recognizable voices in John Tapp.”  

The announcement of who will be elevated to “Legend” status will be made early next week.

 

PAYING FOR PRIVILEDGE OF GOING TO RACES & LOSING YOUR MONEY 

AS a racing or sporting fan, would you rather take your kids to the footy and cheer home a winning side or pay for the privilege of going to the races and losing your money?

It’s a no-brainer and perhaps the reason that ARL and NRL crowds for regular games continue to climb while the numbers attending weekly race meetings have nosedived alarmingly.

And when it comes to big games and major race days – with a few exceptions – it’s a similar picture. Apart from Melbourne Cup & Derby Days, The Everest & Golden Slipper, racing simply can’t compete with Grand Finals and State Of Origin.

Don’t blame it entirely on the ability to watch horse racing live in your own home every day of the week courtesy of SKY & Racing.com. That has contributed but the same coverage applies to rugby league and Australian Rules but those sports continue to draw big crowds.

The reason is simple. Racing has failed to keep up in the battle for the leisure dollar. Sure fans are robbed blind in food and drink prices for sport as well but should punters be asked to pay for the privilege of going through the racetrack gate and losing their money.

Too many directors from major clubs are more focussed on playing political games, entertaining their ‘mates’ in the Board Room and sadly getting rid of any younger colleague who dares to question their motives or suggests some ‘go forward’ initiatives.  

Clubs maintain if admission to normal weekly meetings was free there would be no incentive for Memberships. Well perhaps they should provide more incentives because asking the Government to pay for a new grandstand that will sit there almost empty most weeks of the year is not the answer. It is certainly not a case of ‘Build It and They Will Come’.

 

WHY IPSWICH CUP DAY CROWD ECLIPSES STRADBROKE & MAGIC MNS

IN Queensland there are three major race days that attract big crowds – the Stradbroke at Eagle Farm, the Gold Coast Magic Millions and Ipswich Cup Day.

Always unbelievably Ipswich Cup Day attracts more people than the other two despite the fact that Ipswich has a population of 260,000, the Gold Coast 700,000 and Brisbane 2.8 million.

It’s the one day of the year that has become a sporting tradition in Ipswich and this Saturday promises to be no different with the grounds at Bundamba already transformed into tent city in preparation to accommodate punters and party-goers.

There was a time when these three big meetings would each attract 20,000 or more racegoers. LGHR worked for the mainstream racing media at the time and we were told not to mention that the Ipswich Cup Day attendance was larger than the Stradbroke to ‘avoid embarrassment’ for the then Queensland Turf Club.

Fast-track to the present day and Eagle Farm can only dream of a crowd of 20,000 on Stradbroke Day. The Murdoch Media reported that the Brisbane Racing Club was expecting more than 10,000 to attend last Saturday’s biggest meeting of the year. It seems they don’t release official figures these days but one suspects 10,000 was a bit of a pipe-dream.

The Gold Coast might not get 20,000 to Magic Millions Day but thanks to the amazing promotional work done by Katie Page (wife of Gerry Harvey), along with hard-working directors of the club, they still attract way above the 10,000 mark.

As they say ‘winners are grinners’ and ‘losers can please themselves’. The prize this year will once again go to Ipswich Cup Day where rain, hail or shine the crowd will be in the 15,000 range and maybe more.

It’s a readymade success story for popular ITC Chairman Wayne Patch and his new CEO Nathan Exelby, who may have found his calling – it certainly wasn’t taking orders from ‘Manuel’ as Racing Editor of The Courier-Mail.

LGHR has been told by those at the coalface that Exelby won’t be too disappointed if the crowd at Ipswich on Saturday far exceeds the one that turned out for the Stradbroke. We are told Nathan’s still bitter at the circumstances which saw him part ways with the BRC and SKY when Ladbrokes entered the picture. And he’s entitled to be.

 

WILL LEAP TO FAME DRAW FANS BACK FOR ALBION PARK INTER-DOM?

WE saved the worst till last when it comes to crowd figures and that’s harness racing where all eyes will be on Albion Park over the next couple of weeks for the running of the Inter-Dominion Championships.

Despite having the blockbuster drawcard of arguably the best pacer in the world, the local champ Leap To Fame, harness racing at Albion Park struggles to attract a half decent crowd.

They want a new grandstand but most Saturday’s you could run a tribe of rogue elephants through the public area and the only ones dodging extermination would be the ‘race riggers’.   

Sadly the days when thousands would throng to the Creek at Winter Carnival and Inter-Dominion times are long gone. So are the big rings of bookmakers than once followed punters from the races to the trots every Saturday, via a big steak and coldie off the wood at the Brekky Creek.

The problem at Albion Park is an ‘integrity’ issue. After decades of suffering inaction against the ‘boat races’ that occurred on a regular basis outside of Carnival time, a legion of harness fans simply gave up. Getting them back certainly seems a ‘mission impossible’.

That begs the question: Does this minor code that has been left far behind the greyhounds deserve a ‘state of the art’ new facility like the dogs have just been rewarded with near Ipswich?

Something needs to be done about the current grandstand but at what cost to the industry considering the use it would get most weeks of the year. You could fit the crowds on most Saturdays into the top deck of a London bus driven by the trot's No 1 man Lindsay.

Racing Minister Tim Mander recently reminded Queenslanders of the enormous amount of money poured into State revenue by gallops turnover. Perhaps he should tell us what we get from the ‘red hots’, especially with sports betting eating into the amount being invested on the three racing codes.

Spare a thought for the Government – with more important headaches after going back on promises of an electricity rebate – having to decide if they will throw millions at a new grandstand, to replace the condemned one at Eagle Farm, simply for the use of a few thousand members. It’s just not on. The best the public and the industry in general will accept is a LOAN to the BRC and let them pay it off.

 

QRIC RESPONSE TO PAYMENT ON INCORRECT DOOMBEN PLACINGS 

THERE are times when the racing media – LGHR included – make a big deal of some controversy and when an explanation arrives fail to publish the response. We were guilty of this on a recent issue and hope that better late than never suffices.

THE Queensland Racing Integrity Commission has reviewed the circumstances of payment of fixed price bets and pari-mutuel dividends on the incorrect finishing placings for Race 2 at Doomben on Wednesday, June 4.

QRIC Deputy Commissioner Kim Kelly explained that the fixed price bets related to the incorrect minor placings reported in the stated race were paid out prior to the declaration of correct weight by Stewards.

“QRIC has identified that after the running of Race 2 at Doomben, fixed price bets were paid out based on incorrect second and third placings. This was prior to the correct notification of finishing positions and the declaration of correct weight by Stewards.         

“In accordance with established procedures, QRIC Stewards informed Tabcorp of the race result details, declaration of correct weight and the correct finishing order initially and then again when confirmation was sought from Tabcorp.

“It has been established that after the running of the state race (at approximately 11.50am), Tabcorp paid out fixed price bets on the race based on the incorrect second and third placings. This occurred prior to the declaration of correct weight and notification of placings by the Stewards (at approximately 12.07pm). Stewards again relayed and confirmed the correct finishing order (at 12.10pm) when queried by Tapcorp,” Kelly said.

“When it was determined a discrepancy existed between the finishing order provided by Stewards on two occasions and the numbers inputted by Tabcorp at approximately 12.01pm , there was a miscommunication between the parties which resulted in the incorrect numbers, i.e. those previously inputted into the Tabcorp system, being confirmed by the Stewards. Dividends were paid out for pari-mutuel pools involving the second and third placegetters in the race based on the incorrect numbers.

“Whilst QRIC is satisfied that the finishing order for the race was correctly declared by the Stewards on two occasions, further inquiries will be undertaken to examine whether more robust notification processes may be implemented in the future to safeguard against dividends being declared on an incorrect finishing order.

“QRIC wishes to thank Tabcorp for its assistance with the matter.

“QRIC has an obligation to uphold the Rules of Racing and, in doing so, acts to both preserve the integrity of the racing industry and safeguard the interests of participants.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: PUNTERS are questioning whether the Corporates paid out on the race call which they claim got the placings in the wrong order. One would hope this wasn’t just another blunder by the State’s No 2 race-caller.

 

‘SAINT GREG’ CONTINUES FIGHT FOR INTERNATIONAL APPRENTICES 

REGULAR contributor GREG BLANCHARD from the GOLD COAST continued his battle (in an interview on ABC RADIO this week) to have international apprentices overcome the lack of jockeys forcing so many scratchings at bush meetings in Queensland. Here is his latest contribution to LGHR:

‘THE on-going lack of jockeys, and more of a problem desperately-needed track riders in many parts of the State, needs action ASAP.

Here is another example highlighting the problem which occurred in Rockhampton.

An overseas rider works 15 horses in Rocky in the morning before driving to Gladstone to ride another eight to 10 around lunchtime. I'm sure similar circumstances would be replicated around rural areas in Queensland.

The situation worsened when Rockhampton-based Prinish Goordin, who hails from Mauritius, left for NSW after being promised he could be an apprentice in Queensland, when it was never going to happen.

Those who made this false promise to Prinish should have checked before he was delivered broken dreams chasing an apprenticeship in Queensland. One wonders how those people retain their jobs.

The rot continued last Saturday when eight starters had to be scratched at Richmond and another three at Atherton because no jockeys were available to ride those horses.

It was good news to read that Racing Queensland will continue to provide jockey access to its Go West Subsidy Scheme until the end of November. One has to question however, if the money would be better spent getting overseas apprentices to be permanently based in the bush were track work riders are just as important.

These ‘fly-ins’ take advantage of an $800 subsidy for up to four flights to non-TAB and TAB meetings in the North-West Region but that doesn’t overcome the problem of track work riders who are needed to prepare horses during the week.’

  

TIME TO PULL THE STICK ON FAILURE OF MAINSTREAM RACING MEDIA 

SYDNEY-based PETER MAIR, a respected VOICE on ALL THINGS RACING, believes it is time to pull the stick on the failure of the mainstream media to properly address policy issues with the racing industry. 

Mair, a regular contributor to LGHR, has been kind enough to send us a copy of a ‘message’ sent to senior executives and newspaper editors in mainstream media organisations with this introduction:

‘I would like you to be aware of this plea for the mainstream media to bring the racing industry, as distinct from racing-entertainment, within the permitted range of your investigative journalism and editorial advocacy.

THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA AND THE RACING INDUSTRY

THE mainstream media daily plays an essential and very welcome role promoting racing and the gambling entertainment that, taxed, pays the freight. The media does this by publishing form-guides, in print and on specialist web-sites, by similarly reporting racing news as well as broadcasting racing, and racing commentary, on radio and television. The racing industry, understanding the necessity of the mainstream media doing so, sensibly makes industry funds available to subsidise the costs.

…........buried in these arrangements, however, is the perception of a problem. Sadly, the mainstream media (MM), 'the Fourth-Estate' protecting the public interest, usually exempts 'racing' – the industry as distinct from the entertainment – from objective and critical inquiry.

Mostly, only entertaining participant 'news' and the subsidised necessities are printed, broadcast and telecast by the media. The broader social-licence the mainstream media has, and claims to honour, is not being respected or honoured. The subsidies paid to the media by the racing industry apparently come with blinkers and tongue-ties -- implied undertakings to not say anything adverse if it can be avoided – and it usually can 'be avoided'.

The mainstream media should not need to be reminded that, when there is money on the table, who gets it should not be decided at the unchecked ‘discretion’ of politicians and administrators. An ever present hand-maiden of such discretion is corruption – albeit institutionalised-corruption (not criminal corruption) that, unfairly, benefits some at the expense of others.

Sadly, when it comes to the racing industry, the MM puts aside its rhetoric of integrity and independence. A post-script to this initiating correspondence illustrates the disconnection.

If it is the custom for you, or a PA, to acknowledge correspondence please do so – as for any substantial response, it will be seen in what the mainstream media says in future.

The accompanying paper – AUSTRALIAN RACING -- RESTORING ORDER – further illustrates the basis for asking the mainstream media, especially, to take to heart its responsibility to investigate the racing industry and report frankly on what it finds.

Peter Mair 15 June 2025 

PS: .....it is not necessary to explicitly identify the MM promises not kept when it comes to the racing industry. Please, however, reflect on some extracts from the rhetoric: the country’s most trusted source of news, insight, analysis and opinion…..hold those in power to account,….spare no effort in pursuing the truth…..committed to fearless, independent and accurate journalism….set the standard for intelligent, fearless journalism...recognised for news-breaking, agenda-setting and authoritative journalism.

AUSTRALIAN RACING - RESTORING ORDER

 

WHAT follows will prompt mixed reactions among most with an affection for racing. Others newly informed of ‘secret racing business’ and surprised, will want changes. The racing industry is unsettled. Momentum is building for fundamental reform. State Governments should not be underwriting racing administrators wasting money, taken from the public purse, on dead-loss racing that does not pay its way. As is, there can be no confidence that the industry and State Governments will, collectively, take the initiative to agree needed policy reforms – not least to stop milking the public purse.

PREFACE

THE foundations of the Australian racing industry are rocking. A shakeout is underway as key players reconsider their future.

When it comes to racing policy, State Governments are paralysed – not facing up to their responsibilities. Industry administrators, making promises they cannot keep, are playing bail-out brinkmanship. Race clubs, funding entitlements eroded and already on their uppers, are selling capital assets to fund current expenditures from 'non-wagering revenue'.

In Queensland, a nominally Independent (Review) into racing is under way but, on past form, will unlikely be forthright. The NSW Government is wary of a wide-ranging Inquiry mooted by the Opposition. This Government, that should be taking control, is still only toying with a Review of the racing legislation. The Minister for Racing has given no starting date, reporting deadline or indicative riding instructions. Racing Victoria, having long drifted off the right track, is wondering what to do next. Policy settings in the also-ran states and territories are similarly fraught.

Whatever, it does look like there is a game-on anyway – be alert to the games people play.

One play administrators misuse is the words 'in the interests of the industry as a whole' – words sadly code for ‘in the interests of an industry in a hole’ – a ‘hole’ that arguably is swallowing too much money being taken underhandedly from the public purse and wasted.

On the revenue-side, unconscionable racing-tax grabs have punters over-paying the freight for an industry scrambling for financial footing. Most punters, betting less, have cut their losses. A golden-goose is on the block.

Putting the point more sharply -- Governments might be asked to explain policies that laud, and coddle financially, the 10 percent with a keen interest in racing – disregarding the interests of the 90 per cent that, at best, have only a casual, passing interest in racing.

UNTANGLING THE WOVEN WEB

THE tangled web of racing industry policy is a work of art – a dark art. The web was weaved accidentally initially, perhaps, but, in recent decades, deliberately by administrators and politicians. The bipartisan political agreement to feather-bed the racing industry makes not-elected administrators, with the cash, powerful political players.

A city-country divide makes the racing industry a minefield. Ministers-for-Racing, typically junior-Ministers from country electorates, mainly make welcome funding announcements. Woe-betide a Minister for Racing inclined to think, aloud, outside the box – see ‘Rule-303’.

Against this background, it is apparently considered ‘best’ if the wider community has no real understanding of what goes on when it comes to funding the racing industry. These arrangements are complex, bordering on unfathomable. Industry funding ‘out-of-sight’ and ‘under-the-table’ would concern any truly independent racing-industry Inquiries. Alas ‘approved Inquiries’ are most likely to be in-house, managed by industry and political insiders protecting their interests. The Rosehill-saga, that set aside the bipartisan consensus, showed how racing policy is cooked-up in a crock pot.

On-guard – disregard inquiries, into anything, not having the independent character of, for example, the Royal Commission into Banking Misconduct or the Institutional Abuse of Children.

It is time to call-out an industry wallowing in consequences of State Governments and racing administrators acting unfairly, with unchecked ‘discretionary’ authority.

INSTITUTIONAL CORRUPTION 

INSTUTIONAL corruption of racing is rooted in the way it is funded.

The racing industry enjoys lavish and direct access to taxpayer-funds. Money flows from the public purse to and from racing industry administrators without any of the usual good-Government disciplines. The good-Government conventions ensure explicitly budgeted and documented appropriations of tax revenues, supplemented by statutory audits and Parliamentary review of administrators.

One part of corrupted industry funding is about ‘profligacy’ – how too much money passed under-the-table is then misspent. Another part is about ‘greed’ – how the industry grabs for more money. Especially more-money from punters using deceptive tactics in association with the global, fixed-odds, bookmaking conglomerates.

Profligate Funding

THE policy issues here are mainly about the racing industry's direct, automatic ‘entitlements’ to public funds – to excessive public funds much of which, poured into the racing industry, as a ‘hole’, is wasted. Using under-the-table arrangements, taxes are diverted directly to racing administrators without the normal scrutiny of Budget disciplines and Parliamentary accountability. As for spending the money: that may be fairly summarised as –with unchecked discretion akin to gay-abandon.

There is no sound business model in place to preclude reckless waste of public money.

London-to-a-brick, rural Councils given $200,000 to spend as prize-money for a local race meeting, or ‘something else’ – would choose something-else.

Unbridled Greed

THE machinations of racing administrators, allied with Governments and global corporate bookmakers exploiting punters is beyond belief – as is the recent concentration of industry money (industry power) in the hands of State racing-administrators. Race clubs are relegated to subordinate roles -- managing tracks, running races on race-days and lamenting why ‘no one comes’. A fair-go for punters was sold-out.

There has been an explosion of public funds diverted to racing in recent years – automatic entitlements to far too-much money from new and increased taxes on betting turnover. Too-much was, apparently, not enough. Racing administrators set about degrading how racing is presented as a gambling medium. They passively allowed the fair ‘tote’ betting system (with caps on the ‘take’ from punters) to be displaced by fixed-odds corporate bookmakers. These bookmakers are revelling, so unfairly, in punters' greater losses.

The quality of the racing product was ‘poisoned’ when administrators started paying generous prize-money for runners finishing down to 10^th place. Races with inflated fields became a two-in one proposition – one race for those there to win and the other for no-hopers being paid to have conditioning runs. In the clutter and congestion of such races, the prospects for a race being run fairly are compromised. So contriving randomly rough results defrauds punters, making form-guides irrelevant (and bookmakers rich).

Among other things, rough-result racing opened opportunities for connections to hide a ‘smokey’ in an inflated field. Race-stewards reviewing betting records, after a rough result, have yet to find insider-trader evidence of a sting. (Give me a go). Respect for punters was further discarded as Saturday race programs expanded from eight to 10 – two low-grade races were added to the front of the program. Administrators chasing more money did not hide their intent to induce punters to lose more: One could go on. Overall there is enough there to know that ‘scandalous’ is a word that fits the verdict.

Further consequences of embedding greed in the betting-business are insidious. One illustration is Governments unable to ban or rein-back gambling advertising -- because sports clubs and broadcasters are now ‘too dependent’ on the advertising revenue. Punters are being taxed and rorted to prop-up free-to-air broadcasting.

Another insidious consequence of the greed-relegated race clubs – deprived of their financial independence, they became prey for ‘sponsorship’ funding. Global bookmaking conglomerates flush with funds from a campaign of rape-and-pillage against vulnerable punters played their hand. Now, race clubs taking the bookmakers’ bait cannot throw the hook. Race clubs are hooked (and hocked).

BRINGING RACING BACK UNER CONTROL

IT would be premature to address this question before the State’s commit to restoring order. Two steps standout. One will bring racing-tax takes and industry funding into line with commercial viability – decisions decided within usual budget disciplines, extending to Parliamentary oversight of racing administrators. Concurrently a compensation plan will be put in place for people and assets made redundant – including, horses retired, breeding and racing facilities closed, displaced people retrained for other jobs.

EDITOR’S NOTE: From what LGHR has been told, those at the coalface of Racing in NSW aren’t keen to listen to PETER MAIR because he tells them what they don’t want to hear. What a pity he could not be seconded to working through the recommendations of the Independent Review of Racing in Queensland where he has no racing or political allegiances but could make what LGHR believes would be an outstanding contribution toward the betterment of the industry.

 

HUMBLE BEN HAYES – THE ‘REAL DEAL’ – NOT JUST ‘BOY NEXT DOOR’

IN the beginning his ‘boy next door behaviour’ seemed too good to be true but Ben Hayes confirmed once and for all at Eagle Farm on Saturday that he is the ‘real deal’.

The ‘ringmaster’ of the ‘Three Musketeers’ proved as big a winner as War Machine when he immediately diverted honours for the Stradbroke success to the late Mike Moroney who formerly trained the horse.

It would have been easy for Ben to highlight the training dynasty’s first win in the Group 1 event as another training triumph for he and brothers, Will and JD, who have followed their famous dad, David, now Hong Kong-based, into the family business.

Amazingly, the famed Lindsay Park family, stretching back decades to Hall of Fame dad David and grandfather Colin, had never enjoyed success in the Stradbroke before. It was reason for celebration. The Hayes name hadn’t been on the Doncaster Honour Board either until the boys saddled up Mr Brightside.  

Ben won plenty of fans, not only at the Farm, but an international SKY audience, when he was quick to humbly pay tribute to the work ‘Big Mike’ had done before they inherited the horse and hailed the performance of War Machine, which proud dad David immediately declared a star in the making.

“We're very proud. It was an amazing result today,” Ben told SKY’s Bernadette Cooper. “We're fortunate to be able to get that horse from Mike Moroney and he's an amazing, exciting horse.

“It's funny. A lot of people expect him to be a big, powerful horse. But he's got a physique like (stable star) Mr Brightside. So hopefully he's the same.”

Plenty of ‘experts’ steered clear of tipping War Machine, an easing Stradbroke favorite after his win in the BRC Sprint and even owner Rupert Legh admitted he could not back the horse at the price on offer. But once again the market framers proved good judges.

Whilst the Stradbroke win was the highlight for Ben, Will and JD on Saturday, they also enjoyed a treble at Sandown Hillside winning with Hello Romeo, Stylish and Aztec State.

It was the Hayes' boys who christened he catch-phrase 'Thanks for Having Me On' when interviewed prior to a race meeting. That has now been followed by a legion of trainers. 

 

THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY SIDE OF SATURDAY RACING IN OZ 

AS one of our regular contributors suggested, there are three common denominators in Australia most weekends - THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY:

• THE success of TEAM HAYES, a desperately-needed nemesis to the most powerful and successful stables in the land, CHRIS WALLER & CIARON MAHER.
• THE near certainty every Saturday that either a heavily-backed runner, trained by WALLER will get beaten in SYDNEY or a stablemate will upstage one of the WALLER fancies.
• QUEENSLAND race-caller DAVID FOWLER will make a mistake, giving critics more ammunition to question his replacement of the best caller in the State, JOSH FLEMING, in controversial circumstances.

WALLER had three runners in the G2 $1.2mn Q22 at EAGLE FARM on Saturday and it was the second-string KOVALICA that saluted – a mount rejected by stable jockey James McDonald and the five-year-old's first win since the Queensland Derby two years ago.

No-one would begrudge popular owners Neville Morgan and David Devine success with Kovalica but we are told that one of them was disappointed when JMac jumped off to ride Hong Kong-bound Militarize which finished just in front of Kovalica in the Doomben Cup.

Militarize gelded after a failed stint at stud continued to fire blanks for Waller beating only two home and now out of the winning list for 629 days. The son of Dundeel is going nearly as badly as the enigmatic Coleman which finished 12^th when out of his depth in the Stradbroke and has proved a ‘problem child’ since joining the champion trainer.

 

'FEATHERS' FOWLER - PLUMED PEACOCK ONE DAY, FEATHER DUSTER THE NEXT - SHADOW OF JOSH FLEMING CONTINUES TO HAUNT HIM  

‘FEATHERS’ Fowler, hot on the heels of mistaking Rogan for Melbourne Cup winner Rogan Josh in his Derby call the week before, took a stab at the close finish to the Q22 and wrongly declared New Endeavour in the photo.

What he probably meant to say was that New Endeavour ‘should have won’. One race after his 10 out of 10 ride on War Machine in the Stradbroke, Tim Clark produced a 'shocker'. 

Who knows what happened to the heavily-backed Fawkner Park attempting back-to-back wins in the race. The Archibald-trained favorite was entitled to win with the run Ethan Brown gave him and despite being a close third possibly didn’t let down on the harder track – upgraded to a GOOD 3 earlier in the day.

As for ‘Feathers’ – as Archie Butterfly wrote: ‘Full marks for having a go’ but other than Chris Waller, who must have watched the race from the Trainers’ Bar, he was about the only one who thought New Endeavour had beaten Kovalica in that close finish.

Even LGHR, lazing back in his lounge chair half asleep with rosary beads in hand praying the John Power Stand wouldn’t collapse under the weight of all those Members, could see there was a margin to Kovalica (muttering to himself another Waller second-string salutes).

The problem for our old mate David, as good a race-caller as he is, karma will continue to haunt him over the way a far more popular racing identity in Josh Fleming was unceremoniously dumped. Forget the crap about SKY redundancies. When something looks like revenge and smells like a square-up – it more than likely is revenge and a square-up.

 

 

KELLY RIGHT FIT, GILLARD JUST ANOTHER LABOR JOB FOR THE BOYS 

WHEN it comes to Integrity, Kim Kelly has shown in a short time with QRIC that he has more in his ‘little toe’ than his predecessor Shane Gillard had in his ‘entire body’.

Kelly has international experience as a high profile steward. Gillard had none – he was a boofhead when it came to dealing with the racing media.

When he first arrived, LGHR – as it had done successfully with two previous QRIC Commissioners – asked a legitimate question whether trainers or jockeys were spoken to prior to a race when the odds of their horse had drifted alarmingly.

Gillard told us to take a hike that it was none of our business. We were told by his media ‘minders’ that he only wanted to deal with the mainstream racing media. There was a reason for that. One leading racing scribe became his ‘love child’ and made a fool of himself, once again, spin-doctoring the every move of the man the racing industry christened ‘Dr Dillard’.

That was until Gillard finally shot himself in the foot after doing immense damage to the image and financial stature of QRIC. Once it was clear he was going his ‘fair weather’ friend in the media threw him under the bus. There’s a message in that for those at the BRC who are happy to go into battle with this bloke – keep one eye over your shoulder!

But back to Kim Kelly, now the highly popular Deputy Commissioner of QRIC, who was caught in the crossfire of LGHR’s criticism of new rules to close selective inquiries if they deemed those involved had legitimate reasons for that to happen.

Had it been Gillard we would have been banned for life. But Kelly – to his credit – accepted our invitation to respond, rather than walk away from just another ‘keyboard warrior’ as some critics are happy to describe us.

QRIC DEPUTY COMMISSIONER KIM KELLY’S RESPONSE

‘THANK you for the opportunity to reply regarding the matter raised on Wednesday, 11 June 2024 regarding open Stewards inquiries.

I have not been able to attend to the matter until now given that the inquiry in question was on-going.

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (‘QRIC’) is committed to ensuring transparency throughout its decision-making processes, including Stewards' inquiries, whilst also acting compatibly with information privacy and Queensland human rights legislation.

I can advise that those directed to attend a Stewards’ inquiry are entitled to make application requesting a closed inquiry. Each application is assessed on its merits, balancing the need for transparency and public interest provisions with the non-disclosure grounds relied upon in support of such application (which are generally tied to protecting sensitive or confidential information).

QRIC fully acknowledges and respects the fundamental importance of transparency in maintaining public confidence in the integrity of the racing industry. However, in this specific circumstance, applications were submitted to the Stewards panel seeking a closed inquiry and it was determined by the panel that the interests of justice and procedural fairness were best served by holding a closed inquiry to preserve confidentiality and to ensure full and frank disclosure of sensitive information without fear of public misuse. The applications were considered by the panel on their merits, not with any intention to avoid scrutiny, and but for those applications I anticipate the media would have been permitted to be present during the stewards’ inquiry.

The panel formed the view that the ultimate decision to hold the stewards’ inquiry in camera was temporary and case-specific, but which ultimately served the broader goals of integrity, fairness, and thorough fact-finding in respect of the specific referenced matter.

That said, I can confirm that QRIC’S position on the subject going forward is that Stewards’ inquiries will, whenever possible, be conducted in an open and transparent manner.

I hope this is of some assistance to you and your readers.’

SEE Mr Gillard – in case you are watching from under some rock hopefully a long way from any involvement in racing – answering any form of criticism is as simple as that.

 

FINDINGS OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW TO BE MADE PUBLIC AS RACING MINISTER ACCUSES LABOR OF SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME IN  MARQUEE

RACING Minister Tim Mander has told State Parliament that the findings of the Independent Review currently underway into the Three Codes will be made public.

Mander had a pot-shot at the close association between his predecessor Grace Grace and the Brisbane Racing Club declaring: ‘Labor spent too much time in the marquee and not enough time keeping the industry on track’.

‘It is true that those opposite had their own reactive Review last year. However, I can only assume that the outcome highlighted their own gross mismanagement of the industry, as they were too ashamed to release it. Our review will be critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability and success of the Queensland racing industry, and the findings will be made public.

‘From the Gold Coast to Birdsville, Brisbane to Cooktown and everywhere in between, racing runs through the reins—the veins as well—of Queenslanders. I have seen this first hand when visiting racetracks at Goondiwindi, Longreach, Bundaberg, Townsville, Cairns, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Redcliffe and of course Brisbane. This is why we must get this Review right—and we will.

Speaking about the upcoming Budget, the first of the new LNP Government, Minister Mander, said it would be designed to deliver for Queensland. ‘It is the fresh start we promised. Right now, the Crisafulli Government is delivering a comprehensive Review of the Queensland racing industry. All I have seen since taking on this portfolio is broken promises and budget blowouts left behind by those opposite.

‘Under Labor’s watch, the Bundaberg greyhound industry was left on life support by a failed promise to build a new sand track; the Toowoomba Turf Club lights were left on their last legs, leaving participants in danger; the harness industry was promised a new home but 1200 days of Olympic venue chaos saw the project come to a screeching halt; millions have been spent on country racetracks that have barely been raced on in years; the Racing Integrity Commission was left unfunded—and the list goes on. Labor spent too much time in the marquee and not enough time keeping the industry on track.’

The Minister described Queensland racing ‘as a diverse and decentralised industry’. ‘Whether it is Saturday’s Stradbroke at Eagle Farm, where we will be cheering on the five Queensland horses; or last weekend’s iconic Mount Isa Cup; or the looming Inter Dominion, which will be held in Brisbane for the next three years; or greyhounds flying around The Q in (the) Origin Greyhound Series—go the Maroons!—racing is part of the fabric of Queensland.

‘Just last week, I announced the latest data, demonstrating racing’s $2.5 billion annual contribution to the Queensland economy. More than half of the $2.5 billion is realised in regional economies. Almost 600,000 Queenslanders visited the races in rural or regional Queensland alone last year. All three codes are having an impact in communities across the State. Racing helps generate $75 million for the Townsville region, $58 million for the Cairns region, $81 million for Central Queensland, $40 million for Mackay and $35 million for the Outback. Racing supports our regions, and our regions back racing.’

Tim Mander reported that Review Chair Matt McGrath, who headed up one of Australia’s largest race clubs, continued to travel across the State and has been welcomed with open arms by the industry, ‘because this industry is determined to ensure their sport is set up to prosper in the years ahead. The racing industry deserves a Government that works collaboratively to ensure its success. The Crisafulli Government will get this industry on the right track.’

 

NO MENTION OF FUNDING FOR NEW STAND WHICH MURDOCH MEDIA REPORT FORGOT TO HIGHLIGHT WAS FOR ‘MEMBERS ONLY’ 

IT’S fraught with danger attempting to read between the lines when any Minister makes a statement to the House but there was no mention of funding for a new grandstand at Eagle Farm.

This is despite the Brisbane Racing Club, with the help of their ‘mates’ in the mainstream media, putting a blowtorch to the Government on the eve of their biggest race meeting of the year.

Not surprisingly it was ‘Big Ben’ Dorries who stepped up to the plate quoting a former Courier-Mail colleague (now BRC CEO) Karl deKroo blasting a long-term “chronic underfunding of metropolitan thoroughbred racing in Brisbane”.

DeKroo didn’t mind throwing former Racing Minister Grace Grace under the bus despite her perceived closeness to the BRC which continues to this day when he told Dorries:  “Unfortunately, this is a problem that has been inherited by the new Government, but they understand what’s at stake.

Mischeviously or not, the politically motivated story by ‘Big Ben’ failed to highlight that the John Power Grandstand the BRC wants the new Government to spends who knows how many million on is for the ‘exclusive use of Members’ who number a few thousand.

The public are denied entry to this stand but since that issue has been highlighted by the racing public who want to see the club meet the cost themselves it has emerged that an upgrade to the paddock stand is part of the overall project.

Dorries reported:

It is understood the BRC need to spend almost $200,000 in maintenance to ensure the safe use of the John Power Stand for this Stradbroke season. It has budgeted a further $600,000 to nurse the stand through to when it is condemned.

It is understood the BRC is attempting to work on a staged funding plan with Government of $150mn to $160mn over three to four years.

That would include refurbishment of the existing Paddock Stand and Members Stand together with the addition of temporary infrastructure to carry the club through an initial period after the John Power Stand closure.

The ultimate aim is a replacement stand being delivered by 2029-2030 (but no mention of cost there).

DeKroo told Dorries there was ‘no clear path forward’ for operating the State’s premier track for spectators and owners beyond next year’s Stradbroke because the major spectator facility, the John Power Stand, will be closed in August next year.

(Does that mean they get more Members at the track than the paying punting public? Certainly crowds have been down this Carnival according to those who have attended. It will be interesting to see how many turn out for Stradbroke Day which once attracted 20,000).

DeKroo admitted: “We’ve been encouraged by positive discussions with Racing Minister Tim Mander and the Queensland Government but was quick to add: ‘This isn’t just about a grandstand in Brisbane, it’s about investing in infrastructure befitting of the headquarters of racing in the state. It is also an investment in a racetrack that ultimately keeps the entire Queensland racing industry running.’ (Wow, that’s drawing a long bow, then again unlike LGHR Karl has a Degree in Corporate Bookmaking).

 

HOW DOES A LEADING RACING SCRIBE GET UPGRADED FROM ‘PORK CHOP TO SEAFOOD SMORGASBOARD’  – JUST ASK BIG BEN?  

‘BIG BEN’ Dorries almost assured he will be upgraded from ‘pork chop to seafood smorgasboard’ on his regular visits to the Directors’ Room, once again refusing to ask the BRC about the ‘elephant in the room’ – the requirement of the Board to release minutes of its last contentious AGM to Member Wally Gleeson whose son Simon resigned from the Board in controversial circumstances.

This is an issue that Minister Mander needs to address ASAP. Any announcement of Government funding for a major club that many believe are dodging their responsibilities on transparency will see Tim caught in the crossfire.

While deKroo took a swipe at ‘significant investment in other racing projects in the regions, including a new $100mn greyhound facility at Purga near Ipswich and major investment on the Gold Coast thoroughbred track including lights’ he failed to mention the millions wasted getting the new Eagle Farm track right then more money thrown at the BRC to overcome safety concerns for horses and riders baulking at a nearby building project.

“Pleasingly there is a growing recognition that racing in Queensland is only as strong as its metropolitan club. If these issues aren’t addressed, the consequences will be felt across the entire state. Eagle Farm and Doomben are the economic engine room of Queensland racing,’ deKroo said.

“They are the primary drivers of an industry which a recent Racing Queensland report says delivers more than $2.5bn in economic benefit to the state. If we lose momentum here, we put that at jeopardy and lose the capacity to fund prizemoney and support country and regional clubs.”

With all due respect Karl your journalistic background obviously taught you the skills of elasticising a ‘good story’. Many stakeholders and officials north of Nambour would consider what you are claiming as a load of horse manure.

Just ask the Toowoomba Turf Club which needs $18mn to provide new lights – isn’t the Downs a major training ground – in fact LGHR understands there are more horses in work there than in Brisbane. Don’t the pioneers of night and twilight racing deserve some reward currently being denies just because a few thousand members need a new grandstand?

About the only positive in the story by that hard-hitting award winning turf scribe ‘Big Ben’ was the admission: ‘THE BRC HAS OFFERED AN UNDISCLOSED FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE PROJECT’.

Perhaps if the club didn’t spend hundreds of thousands each year on entertaining ‘mates’ and ‘free-loaders’ on big days, they could contribute some of that as a ‘deposit’. The other option of course is to get their valued sponsors Ladbrokes to hit the can – they’ve got plenty!

 

TRANSPARENCY ISN'T HOLDING INQUIRIES BEHIND CLOSED DOORS 

 IF transparency and integrity are the cornerstones of what QRIC was established to achieve, why do Stewards now have the ability to hold Inquiries of their choice behind closed doors?

It simply makes no sense resurrecting the ‘bad old days’ when ‘Big Russ’ ruled the roost and racing in Queensland – especially the ‘red hots’ - were a laughing stock in the eyes of the nation.

Perhaps QRIC is trying to hide the ‘mistakes’ so often made by a panel of Stewards who are arguably, from the top, not up to the job. Name an occasion since Josh Adam became Chief Stipe when there was a running and handling inquiry involving a top trainer or jockey? Is racing in Queensland that squeaky clean? Ask any top form analyst and he will tell you, it certainly isn’t!

Is there any coincidence to the timing of a Media Release from QRIC headlined: ‘REQUESTS FOR CLOSED HEARINGS IN STEWARDS’ INQUIRIES’. It was circulated only days before the hearing into a jockeys’ room punch-up was continued – surprise, surprise, behind closed doors.

Unless there was a ‘special request’ from one of the parties involved – Noel Callow (who has been charged) or Kyle Wilson-Taylor (cleared of any wrong-doing) what reason could there be for hearing evidence in camera?

The Murdoch Media (namely its website Racenet) was not able to report on the specifics of any evidence given on Tuesday because the QRIC ordered the Stewards’ Inquiry to be closed.

Hard-hitting racing scribe Ben Dorries went into bat for public scrutiny reporting that Racenet was eager to make a submission before stewards as to why it believed the inquiry should be open rather than held behind closed doors but was not afford the opportunity.

There is a touch of hypocrisy to the brave stance by ‘Big Ben' and the Murdoch Media for exposure on this issue when they have steadfastly refused to pressure the Brisbane Racing Club to release Minutes of its controversial AGM last October. Perhaps QRIC needs to introduce free booze and food for certain members of the racing media.

On a serious note the QRIC needs to explain why it has agreed that participants involved in Stewards inquiries may submit an application to request a closed hearing.

Their Media Release explains that Stewards would assess the merits of each application thoroughly, balancing the need for transparency and public interest provisions with the legitimate privacy, medical and welfare concerns of participants.

‘QRIC takes these requests seriously to ensure that participants can provide evidence in an appropriate environment. QRIC’s approach ensures that the integrity of the inquiry process is maintained while respecting the rights and well-being of all parties involved.

‘QRIC remains dedicated to upholding fairness, transparency, and the highest standards of conduct during all Stewards inquiries.’

 

INVITATION TO KIM KELLY TO EXPLAIN NEED FOR CLOSED INQUIRIES

LGHR has the greatest respect for the new-look QRIC and especially how international steward and Deputy Commissioner Kim Kelly operates. But this makes no sense.

We offer Kim the opportunity to explain in more detail – especially why an inquiry into a disagreement between two jockeys in a race overflowing to a physical dust-up off the track was head in camera.

Here’s hoping we’re not heading back to the bad old days where LGHR will recall two particular incidents:

THE first involved a controversial race which resulted in the first major inquiry for Steve Railton after he took over from Ray Murrihy as Chief Steward in Queensland.

Mick Dittman beat a charge after producing a ‘who’s who’ of witnesses, including champion trainer Bruce McLachlan (who did not have a starter in the race in question) and Tommy Pettioni (a Melbourne Cup winning owner).

At the end of the day Railton abandoned the lengthy inquiry after Dittman exposed some flaws in the evidence of his Panel, one of which was Greg Rudolph (said to be the chosen one to take over as Harness Racing Stewards Chairman in Queensland) who arguably had no idea where some key runners were in the race. Perhaps if Railton had called a leading bookmaker and racing scribe to give evidence at the inquiry it might have had a different outcome.     

THE second involved the ‘red hots’ where many believed the Stewards’ Panel were too terrified to take any action that involved the big team raced by Russ Hinze. When John Cremin, now an RQ Steward but back then a second-string driver for Big Russ’s private trainer Darrell Alexander, bobbed up on a stable second-string at the Gold Coast he was the victim of a ‘king hit’ in Silks Restaurant two nights later. The least said about that inquiry the better. Let’s just say it failed ‘lift off’.

LGHR is not suggesting the latest decision by QRIC to close inquiries is a sign that we are returning to those ‘bad old days’. In our opinion there would want to be an extremely good reason for a hearing to be closed which should be revealed to the racing public if all standards of transparency and integrity are to be upheld.

 

QUESTIONING SIMILARITIES BETWEEN MRC &BRC BOARD DRAMAS

QUESTIONS are being asked about similarities of what has been happening behind the scenes at the Melbourne Racing Club and the controversy engulfing the Brisbane Racing Club.

MRC director Barbara Saunders has quit her role just days after raising concerns with Chairman John Kanga about the pending departure of Chief Executive Tom Reilly and the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer.

Saunders penned a letter to Kanga and other directors last Saturday, after the Chairman had told his fellow directors that Reilly’s position as Chief Executive was untenable. Reilly’s departure from the MRC was announced by Kanga on Monday night.

The ‘governance’ issues surrounding the shock exit of Saunders are arguably ‘shades’ of what has been happening at the BRC for the past 12 months. The sudden departure of CEO Tony Partridge and resignation of Board Director Simon Gleeson have similarities.

They too have cited ‘governance’ issues within a Board. Why the RQ Board or the new LNP Government have not acted after viewing certain privileged documents remains a mystery.

Racing Minister Tim Mander, announcing the Independent Review into the Three Codes in Queensland, highlighted that ‘governance and financial accountability’ would be the main focus. Let’s hope it is!

Director Simon Gleeson steadfastly insists that his resignation was on the basis that his values did not align with those of the Board. The perceived ‘governance ignorance’ of the BRC Board is highlighted by the fact that they refuse to release the minutes of the AGM held in October last year.

It is about time Minister Mander or Racing Queensland utilized their powers under the Racing Act 2002 and investigated what many believe is the non-compliance of the BRC to serious issues of ‘governance’.

 

WELCOME BACK NEV, JUST IN TIME FOR GOOD GRANDSTAND NEWS?

IT was good to see former long-serving BRC Chairman Neville Bell back at the track after a well-deserved break. So much for those who were claiming he had gone MIA.

The Board is said to be optimistic that there will be a major announcement by the Minister to coincide with Stradbroke Day.

That’s odds-on to be a better chance than Eagle Farm attracting a crowd of yesteryear for its biggest meeting of the year.

LGHR discovered this little gem in our mail box this week from TOM of ASPLEY who attended Super Saturday:

‘WHEN I got home from the Farm the wife referred to the ‘massive crowd’ that was in attendance. It copped the response ‘What are you talking about? I doubt there were many more than 6,000 on-course.’ To which she replied: ‘Well that little bald bloke who annoys you and the boys on Channel 7, described it as amazing.’ I told her not to worry about Jason. He would have just been repeating what he was told to do by his AFL mate, the ‘spin doctor’ for the BRC.’

But back to what ‘good news’ might await the BRC Board on Stradbroke Day.

Will it be confirmation of a new Neville Bell Grandstand? But who will pay? Perhaps the Government and the BRC will share the load. It won’t be too well-received by the taxpayers if the LNP cops the lot after telling us of belt-tightening in the upcoming Budget.

 

‘FEATHERS’ HAUNTED BY NAME ‘JOSH’ – EVEN IN HIS RACE-CALLING

IT seems the name ‘Josh’ continues to haunt David Fowler catapulted back to the leading race-calling role in Queensland at the expense of the real No 1.

Coming to the turn in his Derby call, ‘Feathers’ announced that ‘Rogan Josh’ had dropped back to last. Perhaps the reason he added ‘Josh’ to the name of the Derby runner was because he had a Melbourne Cup winner in the back of his mind.

His critics – and they are listening to his every word – reckon it’s Karma and time he gave the game away before the mistakes continue to build as he makes an embarrassment of the way Josh Fleming was replaced.

LGHR still believes you're ‘one of the best’ callers old mate but perhaps it’s time to put that deposit on a unit to see out your days by the beach in South Aussie. One can’t survive forever on free booze and pork chops in the BRC Directors’ Room – leave that to your mate ‘Big Ben’.

 

 

STAKEHOLDERS WANT ASSURANCES PARTNERSHIPS AGREEMENTS BETWEEN CORPORATES & LEADING CLUBS ARE SAFE AS ‘FREE BETS’ 

TO say racing industry stakeholders are nervous and confused would have to be the understatement of the year.

They want to know how safe major partnership agreements involving Queensland’s leading gallops and harness clubs are with Ladbrokes in the wake of legal proceedings with its parent company, the Entain Group.

Ladbrokes have seven-year deals with the Brisbane Racing Club, encompassing Eagle Farm and Doomben and the Albion Park Harness Racing Club. What happens in the event that these fall over if Entain faces a major financial setback?

Entain is currently the subject of an enforcement action from AUSTRAC over breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism funding obligations. That case, set down for the Federal Court in September, has the potential to cost Entain hundreds of millions of dollars in fines.

For a corporation like Entain, this means a maximum penalty of A$33 million per breach, according to ICLG.com. The specific penalties are determined by AUSTRAC in the Federal Court. 

In response to alleged AML/CFT failures highlighted by AUSTRAC, Entain's CEO Gavin Issacs has warned investors of ‘a potentially hefty penalty’ from legal proceedings.

Adding to the woes for Entain, highly-respected Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive Dean Shannon has resigned and will depart at the end of the month.

Shannon becomes the latest and most high-profile executive to depart the Australian and New Zealand operation of the global gambling giant, which runs the Ladbrokes and Neds brands in Australia and has a long-term agreement in place to operate TAB NZ, as well as the ‘betcha’ brand in New Zealand.

Earlier this year, CFO and deputy CEO Lachlan Fitt and New Zealand managing director Cameron Rodger departed the Entain business, while several other senior executives have also left over the past six months. It also disbanded the ownership aspect of the Ladbrokes Racing Club.

(There is no suggestion that this slew of executive exits is in any way related to the court action that Entain is currently facing). “The Australian and New Zealand businesses are entering a new phase of their development and Mr Shannon has agreed it is time for change,” an Entain statement read.

“This transition coincides with the completion of the AML/CTF Uplift Program and the introduction of a "legislative net" to support the New Zealand racing and wagering industry – both are expected to be completed in June.”

“Mr Shannon is committed to ensure a transparent and orderly transition to set the business up for long-term success.”

Shannon has been CEO of Entain since 2019 and overseen a strong expansion of its footprint within Australasia. According to its latest report, Entain holds a 17 per cent market share within Australia, while it now has a dominant position within New Zealand, which could become a monopoly if legislation passes to create a block on overseas operators. 

Sources within the greyhound industry, which is being shut-down in New Zealand, are claiming that thoroughbreds across the Ditch will benefit by up to $100mn currently allocated to the ‘dogs’ which will then be directed to the gallops. They are claiming political interference.

Dean Shannon had previously been CEO of Ladbrokes Australia from 2013 until 2017. He then founded the Neds brand, which was then purchased by GVC (now Entain) in 2018.

During his tenure as the boss of Entain Australia, returns to the industry from that organisation have flourished, securing partnerships north of $50 million, with wagering brands Ladbrokes and Neds at the forefront of some of the three racing code’s major events and initiatives.

After news of Shannon’s departure broke, some of racing’s most influential figures spoke out, including Racing NSW supremo Peter V’landys AM and Aaron Morrision, CEO of Racing Victoria.

“If you look at the form guide on Dean Shannon it speaks for itself,” V’landys said. “No one has been more successful, both personally and through Ladbrokes. His success was extraordinary to say the least. “I hope that he stays involved in the industry as he is a one of a kind innovator and an asset the industry desperately needs.”

Considering the amount of money that Entain makes, especially through its Ladbrokes operation in Australia, one would assume that even a very nasty fine in the tens of millions should have little impact on contracts with racing and harness racing clubs.

It would be nice though if those at the coalface – especially Racing Queensland and the Brisbane Racing Club who have backgrounds with Entain – could provide some assurances  to the industry at a time when these are vitally needed.

 

INROADS OF CORPORATES REDUCING CHANCES OF A NATIONAL TOTE

 WITH the inroads that corporate bookies continue to make into the gambling industry in Australia, it would seem that the odds of a much-needed National Tote are lengthening by the day.

There are too many high profile racing and sporting organisations now relying on corporate sponsorships to survive financially. These bookies, who plunder the punting market while the TAB provides the prizemoney for racing to continue, have too many respected racing officials, top trainers and former leading jockeys, along with leading pollies (right up to the PM), on their speed dials.

What chance is there of a satisfactory outcome when the Albanese Government received the final report of the Inquiry into Online Gambling two years ago and has arguably done next to nothing about its more than 30 recommendations?

And for those punters who point to the advantages of betting with corporate bookies rather than the TAB, they should remember there is no such thing as a ‘free lunch’ substitute ‘bet’ without a catch.

A former leading and highly respected bookie has provided us with a few facts and figures that those ‘doubting Thomas’s’ in the punting brigade might care to consider, under the banner: ‘WHY WE NEED A NATIONAL TOTE’.

He has provided examples of how leading corporates are limiting their risks and reducing the payouts that punters should be receiving.

Here is the information he provided:

THE pools on tote exotics are getting so small because the corporates are betting on these and reducing the pools and subsequently the dividends declared.

They are also getting the extra stake money on both winning and losing bets that either win or may have won because they have limits on payouts.

IF THEY DO NOT PAYOUT CORRECT DIVIDENDS THEY SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE THE BETS ON EXOTICS.

Here are the BET LIMITS that currently apply to major corporates:

Bet365:  Arguably the best at $500,000

Betr: $100,000 for all bets on Australian thoroughbred, greyhound or harness races.

Sporting bet: For tote-based bet types, reserves the right to limit the maximum winnings payable to the total size of the relevant tote pool for that bet. If a customer places multiple bets on the same or related markets they will only be eligible to win up to the Maximum Win Limit (combined) for those bets. Similarly, if bets are placed by, or on behalf of a customer across multiple accounts, the Maximum Win Limit will apply to all bets.

Points Bet:  The maximum pay-out (being the total winnings) to any individual client in any 24-hour period is $50,000. This maximum win applies regardless of your stake.

Neds: Quinella, Exacta, Daily Double & Running Double (maximum payout $50,000), Treble ($75,000), Trifecta ($100,000) & Quadrella ($300,000). 

Bet Nation: The maximum pay-out (being the total winnings) to any individual client in any 24- hour period, without prior agreement in writing to the contrary, is $200,000.This maximum win applies regardless of your stake.

SUMMARY of WHAT THIS HAS MEANT TO SOME WINNING PUNTERS:

Bet365:  Because of their limit those who were lucky enough to find the last Melbourne Cup Trifecta ($30,604) & First 4 ($870,448) – combined winnings of over $900,000 received only $500,000.  In other words they were ‘robbed’ of $400,000.  

Sporting Bet: Restricted by tote pool total (you get dividend X$10 – if it pays $1500 expect $15,000). But with a tote pool of only $3,000, the winning the poor old winning punters receives just $3,000. Imagine if you saw the approximates and decided to save on other runners to win $7,500.Your spend of $3600  meant your restricted collect from SB means you received only $3,000 leading to a loss of $600.

Betr: Maximum payout of $100,000 – if you backed the Trifecta and First 4 in the last Melbourne the Tote would have paid you $800,000 more than this corporate ‘robber’.

Points Bet: You were lucky enough to back the TRI & FIRST 4 on the last Melbourne Cup. Expecting a payout in excess of $900,000 (a la the TAB), you get drunk, but the wife a diamond ring, sign-up for a new co and then go to your Points Bet account only to find they have reduced your winning to $50,000 because of their limit.

It goes on and on when you compare what you would have got by backing the winning Trifecta & First 4 on the last Melbourne Cup. Because of maximum payouts instead of receiving in excess of $900,000 from the tote, Neds would have paid you $175,000 and Bet National $200,000.

Little wonder these ‘greedy’ corporates can offer ‘Free Bet’ deals and have some high profile trainers and former jockeys on their payrolls. It’s time rules were introduced to make them pay what the TAB does. But don’t hold your breath to see that happen. Too many important decision makers appear to be in bed with the corporates.

As we highlighted at the start the pools on tote exotics are getting so small because corporates are betting on them and reducing the pools thus reducing the dividends declared. They are also getting the extra stake money on both winning and losing bets that either win or may have won because they have limits on payouts.

IF THEY DO NOT PAYOUT CORRECT DIVIDENDS THEY SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE THE BETS ON EXOTICS.

HOOFNOTE: I am sure all other corporates have similar limits to those mentioned. Lloyd Merlehan from Top Sports had a $1 million limit but an amalgamation with Betr meant we lost a good corporate willing to lose $1 million reduced now to a limit of $100,000

 

THIS PUNTER WANTED AN NRL BET – NEDS CUT IT IN HALF, GO FIGURE

A WEEK rarely passes when LGHR doesn’t receive a complaint from a punter claiming to be ‘fleeced’ by a leading corporate bookie. The latest allegation involves NEDS.

Here is his story:

'Neds (now I think that is Ladbrokes) won’t let me put a multiple on. If I am lucky they will accept a $10 bet to win on the horses and sports from about two years ago.

It’s funny because I was in Rockhampton for the ‘slot race’ and met a few of the Ladbrokes crew who tried to get me to bet with them but once I said I had an account but was banned they then replied ‘there is nothing we can do'. I have been expecting them to do this to my Neds’ account.

I wasn’t interested in the promotional stuff but tried to get $470 on the Dolphins as the Cowboys will be without Origin players plus two have been suspended. Their response was: A total of $277.78 @ 1.90 has been accepted. The remaining $195.59 has been rejected. Liability Reached on this Selection. That’s the best Neds can bet as part of a huge global gambling empire. They have to be kidding!

I think the corporates should be made to bet a minimum like the on-course bookies. I am a former bookies and when I used to field at the Gold Coast I was only required to bet to lose $2,000 but I would always bet them odds to $5,000. Before I operated there I always bet the odds to at least $2,000 and often more at the Queensland Carnival meetings.

I will try to do up a list of Corporates maximum wins and how many restrict the payouts. (THAT LIST HAS BEEN PUBLISHED ABOVE).

It’s time for a NATIONAL TOTE and the corporates to be BANNED from BETTING on the MULTIPLES, e.g. if you back a trifecta on say a race in Townsville there is only $3,000 in the pool and you managed to get it 10 times and it pays $1,500 you expect $15,000 . But the corporates only pay the amount in the pool. So you get $3,000. You are denied your stake for the other eight times you had it which is basically refunded. They are banking a fortune from this out of both winning and losing multiples. The old rule if you can’t win there is no bet.

It’s pretty obvious who I am – wonder if they will give me any ‘free bets now’ – probably not as they never did before.' 

 

‘ONLY DANGER TO JOLIESTAR IN GROUP 1 WAS EAGLE FARM TRACK’ 

CHAMPION trainer Chris Waller revealed in the aftermath to the win by outstanding mare Joliestar in the Kingsford Smith Cup on Saturday that he felt her main danger was the way the Eagle Farm track was playing.

Joliestar gave punters who took the shorts a real scare coming from sixth on the turn to nail Zarastro and Golden Mile on the line. Waller credited the timing and precision of star jockey James McDonald in providing another Group 1 win for the record-breaking duo.

With time to watch a race replay some form experts have declared Zarastro unlucky because of the work Angela Jones had to do early to get to the lead on the Tony Gollan-trained sprinter.

Two things were obvious on Super Saturday at the Farm – it was difficult to win from back in the field and near the fence was a no-go zone. The only horse that came from a rearward position was the Phillip Stokes-trained Zaszou in the last with Ethan Brown chancing his hand on the mare closer to the rails than any other winner on the day.

Joliestar won the Kingford Smith Cup coming from sixth on the turn while You Whang raced just off the pace in her form reversal win in the Oaks and Maison Louis enjoyed he run of the race in the Derby.

Run the Eagle Farm card again on a fairer track and no doubt the results would have been different. There has been criticism of the decision to add irrigation to the track midweek but to be fair to the Curator and his staff at the BRC, they were damned if they did and damned if they didn’t. After all, the track was still a SOFT 5 on the day.

 

KING OF THUNDER SHOULD HAVE BEATEN STABLEMATE IN THE DERBY

SPEAKING of some of those horses that were considered unlucky or might have enjoyed Group or Listed success had the track played differently, one was King Of Thunder in the Derby.

A stablemate of the winner, Maison Louis, from the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton Barn, Mark Zahra could be considered a victim of circumstances on King Of Thunder.

He elected to follow the Chris Waller-trained favourite Belle De Telle when JMac had a brain snap and decided to make a long sustained run from near last down the back straight to lead at the 1000m.

Zahra tried to follow him on King Of Louis and after being posted four wide kept coming to finish a gallant second. By the way Belle De Telle after arguably being slaughtered finished seventh, less than three and a half lengths from the winner.

We keep hearing what a great jockey McDonald is – no-one’s arguing with that but given the same opportunities there are others – Damien Lane in particular – who would do just as well – have a look at his recent run of success on the world stage in Japan.

Penito, from the Godolphin barn, is arguably the other standout not to have won a Group 1. Her Oaks second to the Kris Lees-trained roughie You Whang deserved a better fate. She covered a mountain of ground while the winner had the run of the race. The other filly to follow out of the Oaks is the Waller-trained Movin’ Out which got a mile back and finished fourth.

 

GIGA KICK JUST BACK FROM A SPELL NOW HEADED FOR ANOTHER

THE jury is out on Giga Kick after his disappointing sixth in the Kingsford Smith Cup.

 Granted it was difficult to make ground but his effort was still plain not to mention Payline which went woeful after almost causing a boilover in the 10,000. But that’s the Munce-trained horse – they can mix their form.

Stewards didn’t ask for an explanation of the poor run but simply reported: Payline was slow to begin and weakened over the concluding stages. Good one Josh: The blind man on the gate with the Labrador saw that.

When asked to comment on the performance of Giga Kick, jockey Mark Zahra told stewards he was disappointed in the gelding’s finishing efforts. Trainer Clayton Douglas added that he did not think Giga Kick was suited to the racing surface on the day. However the horse had pulled up fine on return to the stable. He also advised it is his intention to send the gelding for a spell. (He only just came back from one!)

Not sure what to think about the efforts of Femminile and Statuario finishing 11^th and 14^th in the Queensland Derby after fighting out the finish of the South Australian classic at their previous start. Femminile was simply never sighted while John Allen may have erred in sticking to the quicksand on the inside turning for home.

 

‘GREEN LIGHT’ FOR NEW MEMBERS’ STAND A CERTAINTY BUT WHO PAYS? STANDBY FOR ‘GREATEST SHOW ON TURF’ WHILE IT IS BUILT

THE new LNP Government and Racing Minister Tim Mander face a ‘no-win’ situation not about the need for a new Members' Stand at Eagle Farm but who will pay for it.

All hell will break loose in the three codes if multi millions is allocated to a new grandstand for the ‘privileged’ few thousand when there are a host of other important industry projects that need funding, from new lights for the track at Toowoomba to replacement of termite-riddled stalls at Cluden Park in Townsville.

That aside a decision needs to be made urgently with the John Power Stand, as it is currently known, due to be condemned in August next year without (at this stage) a clear path to replacement.

The ‘late mail’ suggests the new grandstand will soon receive a ‘green light’ but whether it will be fully funded by the LNP Government, part-paid for by the Brisbane Racing Club or left to Queensland’s leading club to finance remains a mystery.

Minister Mander, who also has the Brisbane 2032 Olympics as part of his portfolio, has the fall-back option of using Eagle Farm for events at the Games which could involve funding of a new grandstand which would overcome the current problem of who will pay.

If there was an about flip on equestrian this would mean walking away from the planned venue at the Toowoomba Showgrounds which the Government has already announced will be upgraded and developed into what Equestrian Queensland describes as a ‘centre of excellence’.

Eagle Farm sounds like a suitable site if sports like baseball/softball, Lacrosse, skateboarding, or (heaven forbid) pickleball and break-dancing were included in the program for the Brisbane Games.

Critics have accused the BRC of putting the ‘cart before the horse’ in reminding the Government of the urgency to have a new grandstand built in a short time frame (just for their members who we understand total no more than 5,000 after the number dropped during the Neville Bell era as Chairman). Unlike some race clubs and sporting arenas that face major disruption and closure during major upgrades, there is the fall back option of Doomben. Reports suggest the BRC would rather erect a corporate tent city to facilitate Members along with invited guests and ‘free-loaders’ that they entertain at a massive six figure cost on big Carnival days.

If that is the case, prepare for ‘The Greatest Show on Turf’ a la a three-ring circus nothing like that performed by Barnum and Bailey at Madison Square Garden.

In the little ring, BRC guests could be entertained between races with ‘Bring On the Clowns’ – no shortage of them with many in the mainstream racing media prepared to do just about anything to appease club officials.

Performing at the same time in Ring Two could be ‘Nifty Neville the Magician’ who can make a Droughtmaster Bull disappear in front of your eyes not to mention the Minutes of the last BRC AGM.

But the stars of the show would undoubtedly be ‘Dazzling Dicky’ and his team of high flyers in the main area. Their tightrope walking act would be a ‘must see’ despite the risk of a BRC favorite falling from Grace. ‘Dazzler’ has insisted they erect a safety net just in case Tiny Tim, the new ‘Kid of the High Flying block’, puts a foot wrong and drops from the tight-rope.

ARGUMENTS FOR & AGAINST FUNDING NEW ‘DIGS’ FOR PRIVILEGED FEW

BUT back to reality and here are the arguments FOR and AGAINST the Government fully funding new ‘digs’ for the Members almost assuredly to be christened the ‘Neville Bell Stand’:

FOR: THE BRC says it needs the ability to deliver an on-course experience befitting of the headquarters of thoroughbred racing in Queensland.

AGAINST: THE BRC should be worrying more about accommodating the punting public than just their Members who arguably only turn out in enough numbers a handful of times a year to warrant a grandstand of the size they want.

FOR: The BRC has historically paid for its capital works, claiming to have spent $50 million on a training facility that directly supports the racing industry. But the Board is adamant a new Members’ Grandstand needs financial assistance from the Queensland Government because ‘it will be creating an asset for the broader community’.

AGAINST: The racing public, the industry as a whole and the taxpayers of Queensland want to know how can it be an asset for the community when use is restricted to ‘Members Only’ and if the BRC can afford to spend $50mn on a training facility and build major luxury unit complexes on course, surely they should have enough in reserve or from profits to fund the grandstand themselves.

FOR: BRC Chief Executive Karl deKroo (whose background has been in newspapers and in corporate bookmaking, isn’t that mob doing well at present?) has highlighted the urgency attached to the start of any new construction to ensure Eagle Farm can operate during its peak racing season with minimal disruption from redevelopment work. He says it will also impact on the Queensland racing industry, and particularly the multitude of regional and country courses which are sustained through the wagering turnover that occurs at Eagle Farm and Doomben.”

AGAINST: Critics say disruption has to be expected with any major development project at a sporting or racing arena and point to Doomben as a fortunate fall-back option for Eagle Farm. They fail to see how wagering turnover could be affected by the construction of a new Members’ Grandstand – most of those who attend that facility, including the ‘invited guests’ and ‘freeloaders’ focus more on having their noses in the trough than participating in the punt.

FOR: THE BRC is said to have been encouraged by the level of engagement from the Government and Racing Minister Mander which suggests there will be a funding announcement after the Budget Estimates Hearing. If the full cost is met by taxpayers and the industry, the LNP will see it as a ‘win’ over Labor who promised but failed to deliver despite the closeness of former Racing Minister Grace Grace to retired BRC Chairman Neville Bell and some of his Board.

AGAINST: THOSE who have been following this political football for some time say there is the prospect of a ‘win-win’ situation for the Government if the BRC agreed to meet part of the cost or if it was funded only on the condition that part of the Members’ Stand was developed and opened for public use. It’s time the punters got some incentive to go to the track slowing down the growing numbers who now prefer to stay at home or go to their local club. Not only do they complain of paying too much to get through the gate for the right to lose their money but some also feel the cost of drinks and food is exorbitant. Many others are highlighting the hundreds of thousands spent each year on entertainment by the BRC for guests, free-loaders and media ‘mates’ of Board Members who double as spin doctors for the club.

THIS is a headache we don’t wish on Minister Mander but it comes with the territory when you win Government. Here’s hoping the LNP remembers their roots and don’t use money on this project that is desperately needed to improve the lot of racing in the country and the bush.

OUTSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE ON WHO PAYS FOR NEW GRANDSTAND

TIMES like these it’s interesting to get an outsider’s perspective and there is no better well-informed racing man than Sydney-based PETER MAIR, a regular contributor to LGHR. Here’s his take on the situation:

‘NOT to labour the morning point but today presented another example of political horse-trading:

.......... The John Power Stand .. condemned .......... without a clear path to a replacement, our ability to deliver an on-course experience........will be severely compromised. This will.... have a dire impact on the BRC. But it will also impact the Queensland racing industry.......... the multitude of regional and country courses which are sustained through the wagering turnover that occurs at Eagle Farm and Doomben.

As I see it the BRC has (should have) the option of using taxes taken from metropolitan racing to build a new stand. If the Government wants to fund regional and country racing, it could (should) make a separate allocation of funds from the Budget.

The deal the BRC is presenting (with an element of brinkmanship) is that the tax-take from metropolitan racing should continue to flow, as an under-the-table 'entitlement', to fund losses on rural racing -- and funds for the new stand should be allocated in the Budget.

This is all a bit back the front -- deceptive, not cleanly honest policy openly disclosed in the broader public interest.

An independent inquiry would say so -- we will see.

EDITOR’S NOTE: We agree with a HOOFNOTE from Peter that there may be some deal being cooked to use Eagle Farm, with a new stand, as an Olympic venue. It makes sense with Minister Mander responsible for both the Brisbane Games and Racing. The only obstacle confronting a decision for total Government funding is if multi millions are spent by the Government on a new grandstand that can only be used by Members – there has to be something for the race-going public in this sort of spending even if it means an upgrade to the ‘plebs’ facilities along with that for the ‘privileged few’.

FEATHERS’IN FIRING LINE, FLEMING FANS MONITORING HIS EVERY CALL 

IT didn’t take long for the legion of supporters angered by the way David Fowler ‘pinched’ his job as Queensland’s No 1 race-caller to get a chance to square up.

It happened on the big midweek card at Doomben on Wednesday when critics are claiming ‘Feathers’ made a balls-up of his call of the finish of a controversial race which saw the TAB and corporate bookmakers payout on the wrong result.

Archie Butterfly started the ball rolling on his well-read website, peterprofit.com under the headline: ‘DAVID CALLS IT WRONG – AGAIN’ following up with a story-line: ‘WHAT else would you expect? To think Tabcorp/Sky chose this chook over Josh Fleming. Decision making at its finest - not.’

The criticism didn’t end there with plenty arriving in the LGHR mail box, some of which we had better not publish but here’s an example.

‘LGHR edited the first to read: Come on ‘Feathers’ – instead of worrying about your fair weather friends in the BRC Board room, focus on getting the calls rights and you mightn't make as many mistakes.

This one remained unchanged as emailed to us:

‘It seems Fowler is struggling to call 10-race cards which his colleagues in the south have no problems with most Saturdays of the year. It seems like only yesterday that SKY dumped the best caller in Queensland, Josh Fleming, but it’s not too late to invite him back to help the ‘poor old fella’ out on big days. Have you thought of shortening those big nights on the punt, pokies and piss at the Albion in the hope of extending your career ‘Feathers’ before the powers-that-be have no choice but to fire you out of a cannon all the way to Adelaide?’

‘STORM IN CALLING TEA-CUP’ BUT QRIC TAKING MATTER SERIOUSLY

WHILE some of David Fowler’s fans (sadly limited these days to his mates on the BRC Board, ‘Big Ben’ and his dad Max) no doubt regard criticism of his call as a ‘storm in a tea-cup’, LGHR hopes the embarrassing situation that occurred at Doomben on Wednesday wasn’t the result of the person responsible for posting results providing them to the TAB and bookies off the call rather than waiting for the official ones.

QRIC is certainly taking the matter seriously and below is a Media Release that they have distributed:

THE Queensland Racing Integrity Commission is aware of a discrepancy between the official minor placings and associated dividends paid out for race two at Doomben on Wednesday, June 4.

QRIC Deputy Commissioner Kim Kelly said the QRIC had been notified of the issue and are reviewing all aspects of the reported discrepancy.

“QRIC are reviewing the matter and working with Tapcorp to establish the circumstances which seemingly led to incorrect minor placings being reported in Race 2 at Doomben today (Wednesday). QRIC has a race result confirmation process in place and at this time is confident that the initial finishing placings called through by Stewards were correct.

“There is no dispute on the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd placings in the race. However, the order of the second and third placings seems to have been incorrectly finalised in the betting system. As a result wagering entities may have paid out on the incorrect placings,” Kelly said.

QRIC is unable to make any further comment until this review is complete. QRIC will continue to work with Tabcorp in conducting the review process and, where possible, will identify any process improvement insights for further consideration.

QRIC has an obligation to uphold the Rules of Racing and, in doing so, act to both preserve the integrity of the racing industry and safeguard the interests of participants.

Once again Kim Kelly isn’t shirking QRIC’s responsibilities. Let’s wait and see what his inquiries on this matter reveal.

 

STORIES MAINSTREAM  RACING MEDIA ARE TOO TERRIFIED  TO REPORT 

THESE are just two of the feel-good stories being ignored by the Murdoch Media and its popular website Racenet because there is a suggestion that the mainstream racing media is being ‘manipulated’ by a highly-paid individual from his rocking chair at the Brisbane Racing Club.

The Independent Racing Review has been bombarded with complaints that a high profile racing scribe and a racing commentator are being ‘remote controlled’ in what they write and say to ensure there is no criticism of the Brisbane Racing Club.

The first of the stories amazingly ignored by the Murdoch Media and Racenet involves sacked racecaller Josh Fleming being appointed to a high profile role with the Toowoomba Turf Club.

The mainstream media didn’t miss covering the story when Fleming was replaced by David Fowler as Queensland’s No 1 race-caller. SKY claimed his sacking was part of mass redundancies when in fact they had failed to get rid of Josh a few years before following the intervention of radio star, Ray Hadley.

Second time around – with Hadley in retirement – proved lucky for SKY and friends of ‘Feathers’ on the BRC Board who saw him as a ‘better fit’ for the job because of his supposed political influence on the industry through a radio show ‘The Press Room’ which is notorious for its bias toward ‘Fowler’s friends’.

One wonders why ‘Big Ben’ Dorries didn’t report the lifeline thrown to Fleming and his family by the Toowoomba Turf Club where he will be the new Racing and Operations Manager starting next week.

Grant Sheather, the relatively new CEO and the TTC Board, saw an opportunity to use the talents of Fleming – who is extremely popular throughout the industry, especially in the bush.

If the name ‘Sheather’ rings a bell, Grant was a former CEO of the Gold Coast Turf Club before working at Hamilton Island. Unlike a couple of his colleagues in south-east Queensland, Sheather doesn’t possess a Degree in Corporate Bookmaking. He possesses what they don’t – an understanding of how the industry operates.

 

TIME FOR SOME SCRIBES TO RECITE CODE OF ETHICS FOR JOURNALISM

THE other story feel-good story that is waiting to be written involved a small family breeding enterprise with qualifiers for two of the Group 1’s at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

When you see who’s involved it’s easy to understand why the Murdoch Media or Racenet wouldn’t want to be involved and why ‘Big Ben’ would run as fast as he can away for it.

The Gleeson family bred Rothfire (Kingsford Smith Cup) and Sunworshipper (Queensland Oaks). If the name rings a bell the principals are Simon and his dad Wally – the former a Member of the BRC Board until he refused to toe the line on certain integrity issues and was forced out and the latter who is fighting for the release of the AGM Minutes to expose why his son departed his role with Queensland’s leading race club.

Unfortunately, Rothfire has been undergoing treatment for a minor hoof issue and trainer Rob Heathcote says is likely to be scratched which means he will miss an important lead-up to Saturday week’s $3 million Stradbroke.

Rothfire arguably should have won the Doomben 10,000 at his last start when nailed on the line by Sunshine In Paris after racing wide throughout. The five-year-old hasn’t won for 18 months but is the winner of 10 races and almost $3.5 million in prizemoney. Gleeson Thoroughbreds bred him out of the Hussonet mare, Huss On Fire.

They also bred the underrated filly Sun Worshipper and have retained an interest in her. Despite a horror draw in Saturday’s Oaks (for which she is a $61 chance), the daughter of Reset mare Belief has been well prepared by Toowoomba trainer Matt Kropp.

Sun Worshipper ran third in the Listed Gold Bracelet at the Gold Coast behind Pinito then a closing 6^th in the G2 The Roses at Doomben beaten five lengths by Oaks favorite Philia. The extra distance of Saturday’s G1 fillies classic should suit her and one gets the impression if the track stays in the soft range she has a place chance for those who like to throw roughies into their Multiples.

So once again we have two stories being ignored for all the wrong reasons by a leading scribe who should be reminded that a journalist is there to inform the public and nothing else.

 

PB SUGGESTS: MORE THINGS CHANGE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME

ONE of Queensland’s best known, no-nonsense (and in the opinion of many, highly respected) racing identities for decades – Peter Bredhauer – tell us he has spoken to the Independent Racing Review about a 'warts and all' submission he made. Here's hoping he has their attention.

Bredhauer has worked in almost every facet of the industry – from his time as an amateur jockey to owner-breeder, race-broadcaster, form analysts, bookmaker and price assessor, race club committeeman, operator of Darling Downs Bloodstock spelling farm, Racing Appeals Panellist and Queensland Principal Club Board Member.

LGHR struggles to find anyone more qualified to make judgement on the industry in Queensland. Because of his no-nonsense approach and outspokenness Bredhauer has crossed swords with some high profile clubs and industry identities including the old Queensland Turf Club (now BRC), one of the country’s leading stewards in Ray Murrihy and prominent racing (now semi-retired) scribe Bart Sinclair. Their battles have been legendary – take it from LGHR who has witnessed some of these first hand.

A major issue that PB has raised with the Review is the urgent need for a National Tote and an immediate Turnover Tax on corporate bookies, who he dislikes even more than LGHR, if that's possible.

Bredhauer, a former bookie, told the Review: “They have stuffed England, stuffed Ireland and now are doing it to us. Their return to the industry is .6% in England compared to 16% in Japan and 8% in France. We are losing billions of dollars in revenue.”

He has warned of the impending problems with the re-homing of thoroughbreds and describes it as ‘a disaster waiting to happen.’ “With the crippling drought currently in Victoria and South Australia they have a huge problem and as you know in Queensland we have more droughts then good seasons, so our turn won't be far away.

“Can you imagine in 10 years’ time we will ‘supposedly’ be re-homing 30,000 horses in Australia? That would be ‘great’ in the middle of a raging drought. I have personally been riding horses since I could walk and I can guarantee you that only a small percentage can be re-homed.

“Because of their highly-strung breed, bred for speed and racing, and spending the early part of their lives galloping flat out in circles around racetracks not many adapt to the slow pace alternative of show horses, stock horses, and equestrian events that these so-called ‘do-gooders’ in the city think they can do immediately. I heard last week a girl in Victoria who was supposedly re-homing 75 horses on a farm has walked away from her endeavors. Hay is currently over $500 a ton down there.”

Bredhauer has also addressed areas such as stewards (especially the training of young ones), along with industry corruption (especially in the racing media) and how everyone who follows racing or is involved should get an ‘unedited’ version of the book, The Gambling Man (they are still available but scarce as hen’s teeth) which gives a ‘great insight into racing in Queensland) and some of its personalities.

“WHEN I arrived in Brisbane in 1981 I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Bredhauer says in his submission to the Independent Racing Review. A turf journalist was allowed access to the jockeys’ rooms at all tracks. No other journalist enjoyed the same privilege.

“In conjunction with (notorious gangster) George Freeman in Sydney races were being rigged, jockeys paid off, prices manipulated and sent via the press room phone (before every race) to the SP Network in Australia; stories were being written per favour of the cheque-book of breeders, studs, bloodstock agents etc. Even a couple of clubs were paying to have form guides published.

“When Judge Ned Williams oversaw the Royal Commission into the drug scene in Queensland, the phone in the press rooms at Eagle Farm and Doomben were tapped. You are only allowed one guess who they caught red handed.”

It goes on with controversial incidents that occurred, highlights a race run at Eagle Farm in 1996 and who ran the betting money for involved jockeys and why an inquiry into that race failed. This might be a long way back in the rear-vision mirror but there is still a smell about Queensland racing and the mainstream media which the Review needs to examine and make some recommendations about. Time will tell.

LGHR is sure that readers would like to hear more of what Bredhauer has to say. They should seek a copy of an address he made to a National Racing Conference when a Board Member of RQ some years ago. It makes for good reading, some incredible accusations and yet no legal action was taken.

To finish off here is a funny story if it wasn’t so serious that he provided to the Review:

“There was an occasion some years ago where a prominent trainer had a newspaper photographer turn up at his stables early one morning. When the trainer asked the photographer why he was there, this was the reply: “I’m here to take some photos of the Stewards raiding your property this morning.” It seems the Chief Steward had apparently tipped off his mate, the senior racing scribe, about the eminent raid.

 

THOSE TRYING TO DERAIL RACING REVIEW NEED TO SHOW SOME RESPECT FOR MINISTER MANDER - NO ‘RUN OF THE MILL’ POLLIE

MINISTER Tim Mander doesn’t deserve the disrespect of those who are trying to sabotage the Independent Review into the Three Codes of Racing in Queensland by running scare tactics that it will be a whitewash.

It’s hard to believe how low certain racing officials of the past with political motives, aided by ‘mates’ in the mainstream racing media, have been prepared to stoop to get their false messages across.

LGHR has never met Minister Mander (in fact there are some of his colleagues that we wouldn’t piss on if they were on fire) but we sincerely believe – that unlike some previous Commission of Inquiries into Racing which were motivated by political revenge – this INDEPENDENT REVIEW is just THAT and will deliver what all three codes of the industry desperately need in Queensland.

Those ‘fair weather’ friends of Mander, who have re-emerged hoping to return to the fold in administrative roles with the future control body (in whatever format it is established) are behaving like political ‘animals’.

Whispering to their associates in the industry that ‘they’ have start with ‘the man in charge’ and are using their influence to ensure there is no ‘independence’ in the Review is a disgraceful reflection on the Minister and those conducting the Review, especially Kym Daly whose handling of widespread interviews with concerned stakeholders has been nothing but exemplary. (For purposes of transparency I was invited to sit down with Kym for a discussion on all things racing).

LGHR is convinced that Mander is not your ‘run of the mile’ pollie, many of whom would eat their young. A practising Christian and Bible College Graduate, he was a highly respected National Rugby League referee who officiated at the Grand Finals in 2004 and 2005. His awards include 2005 International Referee of the Year and 2005 Queensland Father of the Year.

Hardly the background you would expect for a political career. This is a rare breed of ‘squeaky clean’ MP who would rather throw himself over a cliff than do the wrong thing by an industry which he was pleased to shout from the rooftops during the week contributes up to $2.5 billion per annum to the Queensland economy.

 

THOSE SCARED OF WHITEWASH SABOTAGE ARE 'DUMB AS DOG SHIT'

UNFORTUNATELY, there are a growing number of people in the industry who are questioning the ‘independence of this Review’ at the half way mark.

Those who accept the scare suggestions that the Minister is listening to the wrong people, need to realise that unlike them he is ‘smart enough’ and not ‘dumb as dog shit’ to see through these scam artists.

It’s a sad state of affairs when the rumour mill is in overdrive quoting an RQ high-flyer of the past as saying (no doubt he will deny it) that the Minister will only accept Review recommendations that the LNP wants and that there are political colleagues who will influence him when it comes to anything controversial that might damage their racing ‘mates’.

And what about the racing media prima donna, who supposedly told associates in confidence that he had done a ‘snow job’ on Kym Daly and another who ran back to his mentor at the BRC with a message: ‘Don’t worry I kicked up for you’?

Truth be known these ‘grubs’ – who unfortunately still hold positions of influence in racing – are being told by certain officials what a good job they are doing when behind the scenes the general industry know them for what they are.

One common denominator that keeps emerging to haunt one would-be-if-he-could-be in the industry is the amount of money he owes which some say couldn't be repaid in another lifetime. 

 

HERE ARE ASSURANCES THAT STAKEHOLDERS WANT FROM MINISTER

IF the Racing Minister has some concerns that the ‘troublemakers’ could derail the Review process, he can bury them in one foul swoop.

All that is needed are a few guarantees from Tim Mander on behalf of the Government:

• Unlike Labor and its Minister Grace Grace who refused to release a report on an investigation into QRIC, Mander could provide a guarantee now that he will release results of the Review and its recommendations to the industry and racing public when it is completed.
• The Minister could give an assurance right now that in the event of a new Board or similar control body being appointed when the Review is completed former Board Members or Directors of Clubs or Associations will be ineligible.
• And that certain contentious issues like the failure of the BRC to release a copy of the Minutes of their last AGM to Members, will be investigated by the Review. The Minister has emphasised that the scope of the Review will include as its first priority Governance of the racing industry. That  raises the question whether the RQ Board is in contempt of Parliament by ignoring the powers of the Racing Act in not enabling Member Wally Gleeson to access the AGM minutes. Legal opinions on this issue are varied but that is what the Act requires.

Lack of communications with the Minister’s Office has been an issue raised by several parties with LGHR. The latest example is a story – which sounds reliable – that is doing the rounds that Lachlan Murray’s term as Acting CEO of RQ has been extended by an amazing 12 months - they may as well make it full-time.

Well-informed website THE STRAIGHT reports today that Murray's tenure as interim CEO has in fact been extended by a year with the Government overriding a Racing Act provision which limits someone acting in the position for longer than three months.

Murray assumed the role after Jason Scott first gave his six-month notice of departure in January and was then seconded for 'dog duties' at the new Q in mid-February.

Under the Queensland Racing Act, the RQ Board can appoint an acting CEO for a 'period of not more than three months' and may not appoint any person for more than three months in a year.

 

 

With some the jury remains out on Murray because of his corporate bookmaking background which they see as a major conflict of interest.

That has led to speculation that there will be a total revamp of RQ, with the prospect of the Board being replaced by another control body and the appointment of a new CEO on hold (or they must have struggled to find a suitable candidae) until that takes place. Lack of information can lead to stakeholders being misled on what is actually happening.

 

PRIORITISE NEW LIGHTS FOR TOOWOOMBA OVER EF MEMBERS STAND

LGHR continues to receive inquiries from stakeholders and punters wanting to know when the lights will be switched back on for night racing in Toowoomba.

For safety reasons Clifford Park has been restricted to day meetings since March when the track was plunged into darkness shortly into race six after a contactor in a distribution board burnt out.

The problem was rectified quickly but QRIC stewards required a trial period to ensure there would be no repeat of the blackout which could have proved disastrous for horses and jockeys.

That period seems to have been extended with afternoon meetings programmed for Toowoomba through to the end of June but the likelihood of a return to twilights in July.

The TTC has lobbied the Government for a new set of lights to be installed which LGHR understands will cost in the range of $18 million. Officials and stakeholders are hopeful there will be funding allocated at the upcoming Budget Estimates Hearings.

Toowoomba hosted the first night race meeting in Australia in September 1996 and quickly became the home of Twilight Racing in Queensland.

Although lights have since been installed at the Sunshine Coast and more recently the Gold Coast, Toowoomba should be rewarded for pioneering night racing.

The upside of the delay in turning the lights back on at Clifford Park is that it is Winter when the weather is often too cold and foggy for the likes of most trainers, jockeys and punters.

The downside is the uncertainty over whether the Government will allocate the millions needed for a new set of lights which should certainly be of higher priority than a new members’ grandstand for the privileged few at Eagle Farm.

 

SHOULD TRAINERS HAVE BEEN CONSULTED ON GROUP 1 TRANSFER?

THERE are too many times in racing when ‘you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t’ just ask the Brisbane Racing Club.

That could well apply to their decision to refuse to release a copy of the Minutes of the last AGM but on this occasion LGHR is referring to the decision on what day to transfer the washed out Kingsford Smith Cup to.

You can’t blame the BRC for not wanting to transfer Group 1 races to a Wednesday – most punters don’t care about midweek racing any more. Adding the Derby and Kingsford Smith Cup and creating an Oaks Day blockbuster at Eagle Farm next Saturday was a no-brainer.

But read the headlines in the daily ‘Fish & Chips’ wrapper or on-line and a couple of leading trainers are not happy that the Stradbroke lead-up isn’t being run on Wednesday.

That prompts the question: Did the BRC (aided and abetted by RQ) rush into the decision to postpone the Group 1 to Saturday when they should have taken a deep breath and consulted the trainers involved in the race?

Joe Pride has questioned why only the G3 Fred Best Classic was moved to Doomben on Wednesday and not the Kingsford Smith too.

Pride told the Murdoch Media that the preparation of his hope Private Eye would be compromised if the gelding ran first-up in Saturday’s Kingsford Smith Cup and then backed up quickly in the Group 1 $3 million Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm.

“I’m not going to run Private Eye in the Kingsford Smith Cup and then back up a week later in the Stradbroke Handicap,’’ Pride said. “I don’t want to give him a compromised preparation and have a half-hearted go at two Group 1 races. I’m disappointed he has to miss the Kingsford Smith Cup but this way we can give him his best chance in the Stradbroke.’’

Victorian trainer Jason Warren will roll the dice and run his star mare Benedetta in Saturday’s Kingsford Smith Cup before backing up in the Stradbroke seven days later – but admits he has some reservations..

Warren said the decision could hurt his Stradbroke hopes but with Brisbane’s fickle weather this year, he didn’t want to risk five-year-old Benedetta running on a heavy track at Eagle Farm on Saturday week in Queensland’s premier race.

“It jeopardises the Stradbroke without any shadow of a doubt but there’s a good week of weather and we probably have to take it while we’ve got it,” Warren told the Murdoch Media on Monday.

“I’d hate to wait a week and end up on a heavy track in the Stradbroke. We’ve got a horse ready to go and win a Group 1 and if we get a decent surface then I think we’ve got to take it.”

Jolie Star remains $3 favorite for the Kingsford Smith with trainer Chris Waller already ruling out a Stradbroke start. The Clayton Douglas stable has indicated they are unlikely to progress either with Giga Kick $5 for Saturday’s dress rehearsal because of the weight he has been alloted.

 

HIGH PROFILE HARNESS ROLES FOR KEY GALLOPS IDENTITIES

TWO high profile identities in the gallops – RQ Executive General Manager Operations Adam Wallish and South Australian Racing Operations Manager Greg Rudolph - are reportedly moving to new roles in harness racing   

Victorian Minister for Racing, Anthony Carbines, has appointed  Wallish to the Harness Racing Victoria Board, adding extensive strategic and leadership experience.

Wallish was appointed for a three-year term this week, returning to Victoria after almost eight years with Racing Queensland, including the last six as Executive General Manager Operations.

“Mr Wallish has dedicated his career to advancing racing, and his expertise, knowledge, and experience will greatly benefit Harness Racing Victoria,” Minister Carbines said.

Wallish becomes the fifth member of the HRV Board, joining chair Bernard Saundry, Judy Rothacker, Dennis Bice, and John Doherty.

“Adam has been a leading harness racing voice in his time at Racing Queensland and will make a terrific Board member,” Chairman Saundry said.

“Harness racing in Victoria is in a significant transition, and Adam’s extensive experience guiding sporting organisations to a surer footing will be invaluable.”

The Greg Rudolph (pictured above) appointment as Chief Steward of Harness Racing Queensland has yet to be confirmed but those at the coalface say his experience in stewarding and administrative roles at the gallops is seen as a good fit.

Some who have already heard the news are questioning whether Rudolph will possess the toughness needed to clean up the basket integrity case of the three codes in Queensland. Put bluntly, racing at Albion Park has been on the nose for too long and even the presence of Australia’s greatest pace, Leap To Fame and an upcoming Inter-Dominion will struggle to convince the crowds that on a normal Saturday they can bet with confidence.

Rudolph joined the SA gallops Stewards’ Panel in early 2021. A former Racing NSW Deputy Chairman of Stewards, he has also worked in Queensland. He gained broad industry experience in key roles (General Manager Racing & Commercial Operations for Racing NSW) and then dealt with a range of important issues while working in NSW.

Remembered for his days as a Senior Steward in the Steve Railton panel in Queensland, Rudolph also brings some past baggage from his time as CEO of Hawkesbury Race Club – although LGHR has been reliably informed that there are two sides to that story.

Rudolph hit a hurdle when CEO of Hawkesbury Race Club which led to a legal action by Sponsorship and Promotions Manager Vivienne Leggett over his alleged 'oppressive behaviour'.

Leggett, who had worked for the club for 25 years, won a $2.8 million payout ‘for her suffering’ and for being allegedly denied annual leave, long-service leave and commission payments. 

The Federal Court heard that Rudolph's conduct caused Leggett to develop a significant depressive disorder with anxiety that has left her unemployable for almost six years. The court ruled in Leggett's favour in February and in late May awarded her the millions in compensation.

EDITOR’S NOTE: THERE has been no confirmation of the Greg Rudolph appointment but considering the lack of quality available stewards in Australia today we believe he will do his best to try andclean up this diabolical mess in Queensland harness racing. Looking at who is involved in said to be organising the races at Albion Park (it might surprise a few) would be a good place to start.  

 

 MORE THINGS CHANGE IN QLD RACING MORE THEY STAY THE SAME

STORY goes that MANUEL, the ‘old faithful’ of the Brisbane Racing Club, filled in for the Paparazzi taking a few happy snaps in the entertainment arena at the Farm on Saturday – largely because the rain saved him from his weekly chore of washing and polishing the directors’ cars.

Be that true or not, the attached photograph arrived on the desk of LGHR after it fell off the back of a beer truck, leaving the track late in the day after delivering much-needed emergency supplies when ‘Racing Royalty’ got their noses out of the food trough long enough to realise that the last few races had been called off when jockeys pulled the pin.

The ‘wag’ who sent us the happy snap of former Racing Minister Grace Grace with new BRC chairman Richard Morrison and champion trainer Tony Gollan and his gorgeous wife Jane, added a racing poker puzzle caption which read:

‘WHAT trumps two Kings and a Queen?’ The answer: ‘A full house when you add a ‘joker’ – in this case the Racing Minister who was absent from the photo.

LGHR has no doubt the BRC invited Tim Mander to enjoy the trackside hospitality as one of their many guests on Derby Day. We’re not sure whether he was there or not.

One regular racegoer, whose mail can be unreliable at times, swears he saw Tim enjoying a pie and a cup of coffee in the ‘plebs’ area with renegade BRC member Wally Gleeson.

Perhaps Wally was giving him a friendly reminder that under the Racing Act there are certain requirements of the Minister and in return Tim had suggested they call in the SES to look for those missing minutes from the last BRC AGM.

The other story doing the rounds is that Minister Tim is recuperating after having surgery to remove the head of a former RQ high flyer from his rear end. This little petal has unfortunately emerged again, claiming close friendship with Mander and those close to the coalface say he is trying to influence the Minister in an out-of-bounds political arena (the ‘independent inquiry) and also kick up for job-for-the-boys on the control body. It would be a shame if Mander listened to this ‘fair weather friend’ – in the words of his old whistle-blowing days Tim should not just sin bin him for 10 minutes but send him to the sideline forever which is where he belongs.

Track whispers (be aware that those who know don’t tell and those who tell don’t know) suggest that the Minutes have been hidden in Manuel’s personal locker at Eagle Farm alongside his autographed photo of the premiership winning Brisbane Lions and his beloved Order of Australia Medal, well deserved for services to racing. Who else would wear out 50 pairs of Julius Marlow’s in a year, scampering several times every race day from the jockeys’ room to the bookies’ ring? That was way back when they built special kennels at the Brisbane tracks to house the stewards’ Labradors. And it's a far cry from the days when Manuel was a lot harder to catch. But who wouldn't cop a six-figure sum in retirement simply to control the weak-kneed racing media and to answer the call: 'More Drinks' or 'Shoe Shine, Boy'?

Back to the happy snap from Saturday and full praise to the BRC for not abandoning Grace Grace after she was relegated to the Opposition cross-benches. The lady has been a great friend of the BRC, especially MIA former Chairman Neville Bell.

It’s not as though she is of no use to the BRC boys these days. There are plenty in the industry who believe Grace is the ‘de facto’ Racing Minister. After all the Board that Labor appointed, under her guidance, still runs Racing Queensland. Perhaps there is some Irish logic in Tim Mander’s decision to leave them there until the ‘independent’ Review into the three codes of racing is completed as he has no plans for a future Board but a new body instead – which sounds a real good idea.

If there was a downside to Saturday's Carnival Race Day – apart from the damn rain which again spoiled proceedings – the question of what the BRC spends on entertainment has again raised its ugly head. And don't expect any criticism of this from the mainstream media. 'Feathers' and 'Big Ben' are the first in line for a free drink or pork chop while they get their forelocks tugged for doing a good job (perhaps that should read pat on the head with lack of curls both now possess).

At a time when the BRC wants the industry or Government to foot the multi-million dollar bill for a new ‘Neville Bell’ Members’ Stand – what could be saved by scaling down these expensive soirees could serve as a deposit.

In fact, if the unit developments are such a financial windfall and success for the BRC, they should pay for the new stand themselves. Grace Grace ran out of time convincing Labor to shell out a few more million to the BRC (on top of what was spent by the industry fixing the Eagle Farm track) but perhaps she is still advising them on how to convince the LNP Government to do the same.

Many clubs – from all three codes – are awaiting the up-coming Government Estimates Hearing where Treasurer David Janetski will announce how much is in the pot for spending on racing infrastructure.

What we do know is that the new world class greyhound facility The Q has gone excessively over-budget with cost estimates now above $90 million (farcical when you consider a recent meeting had to be called off because there were pools of water on the track; they forgot to include a required set of scales to weigh the dogs and there is a blind spot from the race callers’ box).

If there is money allocated by RQ or the Government for a new Members’ Stand at Eagle Farm all hell will break loose. With so many other desperately needed projects to fund – new lights for night racing at Toowoomba just one of them – stakeholders aren’t going to cop too much more spending on stands for the privileged few, the greyhounds (already under fire over the spending on a track at Bundaberg) and the ‘red hots’ (where next to nobody turns up for racing as integrity on the track continues to haunt Albion Park on the eve of an Inter-Dominon).

Tim Mander inherited a ‘poisoned chalice’ with the Racing Portfolio. LGHR still believes he is the best man for the job and doing it as well as can be expected in the circumstances. Time will tell!

We have been impressed with the way his old school ‘mate’ Kym Daly has handled his new job talking to stakeholders about their concerns as part of the Independent Review. The Minister needs to heed the recommendations of that report and to tell so-called 'fair weather friends' trying to turn it into a ‘whitewash’ to take a hike.

And finally Mr Mander you need to take a closer look at the requirements of a Racing Minister under the Act before wishing and hoping that the BRC AGM debacle will go away because it won’t.

There are a lot of respected and concerned racing identities asking questions behind the scenes, many of them with ties to the LNP. They don’t accept the reasons for the failure of RQ and the Government not instructing the BRC to hand over documents members are entitled to read.

And if you think Parliament is a safe haven with Labor and Grace Grace keen to sweep this debacle under the carpet and pressure from sections of the LNP with ties to the BRC to do likewise, think again – there are MP’s with another Party being briefed for some Parliamentary debate not to mention the matter being taken to a more powerful adjudicator.

In the meantime, thanks to whoever sent us that Happy Snap – it just goes to show the more things change in racing in Queensland, the more they stay the same!

 

JOCKEYS PULLED RUG OUT FROM UNDER THE STEWARDS AT THE FARM

CHIEF Steward Josh Adams showed once again why many punters believe that he is not up to the job with the circumstances leading to the postponement of the Derby Day meeting at Eagle Farm just another example.

LGHR agrees with what Archie Butterfly reported on his website, peterprofit.com:

‘We felt the track was safe but it was the visibility and the kickback which ultimately resulted in the remainder of the card being cancelled.’ – QLD Chief Steward Josh Adams.

Somewhat bizarrely given what appeared obvious to all, the Stewards wanted the riders to race on at Eagle Farm yesterday, claiming the track was safe.

They were the only ones who thought so.

The jockeys banded together and said no, refusing to ride any more after Race 5.

Adams changed his private tune when he went public, giving the impression that calling off the meeting was the stewards’ decision when it clearly wasn’t.

Adams provided the ‘quote of the day’ when he said the track was safe but the kickback wasn’t.

Where does kickback come from Mr Adams?

Yes that’s right, the track.

And what does kickback do to the track?

Leaves holes for horses to step in and break their legs.

He’s a company man through and through Adams, which is how he got the top job so young, but is it really his job to stand up for a fast falling apart track?

I wouldn’t think so, would you?

It doesn’t even appear that Adams was out there inspecting the track.

It’s good to be the boss.

At least you stay dry?

That’s Archie’s take and we agree with it adding that Derby Day was a disaster waiting to happen.

Queensland racing copped plenty on Victoria racing on Saturday over the SOFT 5 track rating and mixed messages from the Track Manager about the weather forecast.

It seems the Victorians had a different reading on what lay ahead when they looked at the BOM satellite pictures of the looming rain which eventually claimed the big meeting. Why didn’t the BRC track staff and stewards see it the same way? They were living the dream along with their bosses at the BRC.

And now the continuing rain has claimed Cup Day at Kilcoy which is a shame for the ‘Moonee Valley of the North’ although some punters breathed a sigh of relief not having to try and find a winner on what they unkindly suggest would have been ‘a goat track transformed into a ploughed paddock.’

 

 

MINISTER REMINDS QLD: RACING PROVIDES $2.5bn ECONOMY BOOST

THE racing industry in Queensland contributes up to $2.5 billion per annum to the state’s economy, independent economic data has revealed.

IER – a specialist in the tourism, events and entertainment industries – has compiled a report which confirms that racing in the state has grown its contribution by $50 million year on year.

Of that $2.5 billion headline figure, thoroughbred racing delivers $1.9 billion, greyhound racing $331 million and harness racing $233 million.

The industry sustains 14,472 full-time roles in Queensland, 48 per cent as a result of direct industry activity. The overall number is 52 per cent higher than it was in 2016.

“Racing Queensland’s latest Size and Scope Report once again highlights the sheer size and strength of the Queensland racing industry,” Racing Minister Tim Mander said.

“The racing industry continues to be a vital contributor to Queensland, headlined by its near $2.5 billion annual contribution to the state’s economy, whilst continuing to support close to 14,500 full-time jobs. “

“The Crisafulli Government is steadfast in its support for the racing industry, which hosts close to 32 meetings a week and supporting almost 50,000 participants from Birdsville to Cooktown and everywhere in between.”

Mander is heading up a full review of the industry.

“The focus of this review is ensuring a vibrant, sustainable future for the sector. I am looking forward to receiving the Review and its recommendations later this year,” he said.

RQ Chair Steve Wilson said while there had been challenges, the overall impact of the image was significant.

“Racing runs through the veins of so many Queenslanders, and the sheer size and scale of our industry remains remarkable,” Wilson said.

“It’s a significant achievement that, despite the ongoing challenges, the industry has maintained a continued rise in value added contribution, with more than half directly benefiting regional economies.”

Read the full report

IS QLD RACING STRUGGLING FOR VIABLE COMMERCIAL RELEVANCE?

IN response to the above, our regular SYDNEY contributor PETER MAIR provided his feedback:

‘IT is not just Queensland that promotes its racing industry as a wonderful contributor to the State economy.

Truth told, the probability is that 'racing' is a handicap on the welfare of the State -- most of the resources employed and capital tied up in racing would be more productive if employed and deployed elsewhere.

At a more simple level it is just not credible to present the 'sow's ear', that is Queensland racing, as some 'silk purse' -- it simply is not, it is struggling for viable commercial relevance.’

 

TOOWOOMBA TURF CLUB BOOSTS LEADERSHIP AT STATE’S  LEADING TRAINING HUB WITH APPOINTMENT OF JOSH FLEMING TO NEW ROLE 
THE Toowoomba Turf Club is proud to announce the appointment of well-known racing identity Josh Fleming as its new Racing & Operations Manager, effective June 10.

Josh, a respected voice in the Australian racing scene, brings over 20 years of experience to the role. He began calling races at just 14 and went full-time in 2003, earning a strong reputation for his passion and deep knowledge of the sport. Now, he’s coming home — and stepping into a key leadership role at one of Queensland’s most important racing hubs.

The Toowoomba Turf Club isn’t just a local favorite, home to the Weetwood and King of the Mountain — it’s the largest regional training centre in Queensland, with over 700 horses in work every month. It’s a vital part of the State’s racing industry, playing a key role in developing local talent and sustaining the livelihoods of countless trainers, jockeys, stable hands, and support staff across the Darling Downs.

Club CEO Grant Sheather says Josh’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter:

“Josh’s depth of experience, his understanding of racing and the importance of country racing, makes him a perfect match for the role. We are proud to operate Queensland’s largest regional training centre, and it’s critical we have strong leadership to keep our racing operations running at the highest standard. Josh will no doubt help us deliver exactly that.”

The Toowoomba Turf Club hosts regular race meetings, drawing participants and racing fans from all over the region. From behind the scenes to the front of house, the club’s team is committed to delivering a seamless and exciting experience for everyone involved.

Josh said he’s excited to stay in the industry and contribute locally in a new way:

“When the opportunity came up, it just felt right. I’m very grateful for the chance to stay involved in racing after a great career with Sky Racing, to be based in Toowoomba, and to work closely with the trainers and team at such an important Club for regional Queensland.”

Chairman Jason Ward added:

“Josh’s arrival is great news not just for the Club but for the whole Darling Downs community. He brings with him a wealth of experience and genuine passion for the sport, which will only strengthen our race day operations and our standing within the region and the Queensland racing industry.”

The Toowoomba Turf Club remains committed to raising the bar in regional racing for industry participants, continuing its proud tradition of excellence, celebrating its history and supporting the local community.

 

GIGA KICK WINS SATURDAY IF ZAHRA RIDES BETTER THAN HE DID IN SA

THE career of one of Australia’s top sprinters Giga Kick has reached the crossroads with quiet whispers that leading stables are trying to ‘poach’ The Everest winner from young trainer Clayton Douglas.

Giga Kick is second favorite behind Sydney mare and Newmarket Handicap winner Joliestar in Saturday’s Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm but has not won since the 2023 Doomben 10,000.

The multiple Group 1 winner, with over $12 million in Stakes earnings, has raced only five times since and had a year on the sideline (with a slow healing serious muscle tear and bone damage) after finishing third in the G2 McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley in September 2023.

Some are calling it bad luck – others a terrible ride by champion jockey Mark Zahra – when Giga Kick ran an eye-catching first-up 3^rd in the G1 Goodwood at Morphettville on May 10.

Considering the controversy when Craig Williams was sacked as the rider of Giga Kick after the McEwen Stakes in 2023, the Douglas camp have been very understanding of the handling of the five-year-old be Zahra in South Australia.

He went back to near last, was trapped four wide then hooked out to the middle of the track on the home turn closing strongly behind Reserve Bank. In the circumstances Giga Kick was set an impossible task – a victim of circumstances one might say.

 

WAS ZAHRA’S RIDE ANY BETTER THAN THAT WILLIMAS WAS SACKED OVER

SOME punters are unfairly comparing the Zahra ride to that of Williams which resulted in Racing Manager Rod Douglas being fined for making inappropriate comments.

This was after he told Radio TAB:

"I'd have strangled him (Williams) with my bare hands. I'd have strangled him in the mounting yard. There's no excuse for what he did.

"It wasn't all about winning that race. He knows where we're at with the horse. He knows he's three weeks until the Premiere (Stakes) and five weeks to The Everest.

"It just doesn't make any sense to what he did. Inexcusable and we'll see what plays out.
"He knew where we were at and that's the bit that's hard to cope with.”

Fast forward to the Goodwood and some are asking if the ride of Zahra was any better and what effect it will have on the horse. Time will tell and we only have to wait until Saturday to see what the future holds for Giga Kick.

‘I think the big track at Eagle Farm will suit him. They will know he’s in the race,’ Douglas said while casting doubt on a start in the Stradbroke because the horse has been allocated topweight of 58.5kg.

 

CHAMPION ZAC & ‘AUSSIE’ TOM UNDER FIRE OVER RIDES IN HONKERS G1

SPEAKING of bad rides – punters who watched the win by Voyage Bubble in the Champions and Chater Cup at Hong Kong on Sunday could not believe how rival jockeys handed the feature to James McDonald on a platter.

Voyage Bubble’s surge to a fifth Group 1 success and a Triple Crown clean sweep was amazingly aided by the tactics adopted by champion jockey Zac Purton (Ensued) and Tom Marquand (Dubai Honour).

Aussie punters who watched the race, LGHR included, question whether Purton and Marquand gave their mounts every chance of winning the race.

Dubai Honour was seen as a genuine threat to the hot favourite Voyage Bubble having raced well in Australia and Hong Kong. He was coming off two good runs in Sydney and rather than contest the QE11 Cup this year, British trainer William Haggas chose the Champions and Chater Cup over the 2400m.

The HK Stewards’ Panel, headed by Marc Van Gestel, certainly weren’t asleep at the wheel and inquired into the tactics adopted by Purton and Macquand. Here are their reports:

WHEN questioned regarding his riding Purton stated that he had anticipated holding a handy position. He said after being checked at the start when crowded his mount settled further back in the field than intended. He said with the early stages of the event being run outside of standard time he elected to commence a forward move from the 1200m as ENSUED is a one-paced horse that requires momentum and he was confident with the horse’s ability to run out a strong 2400ms. He added after improving to the outside of DUBAI HONOUR near the 1100m that runner held its position to his inside and when ENSUED was unable to cross DUBAI HONOUR he was obliged to race wide and without cover thereafter. When questioned if there was an opportunity to endeavour to obtain a position behind DUBAI HONOUR when unable to cross that runner Z Purton stated that as his mount requires momentum in its races he felt this was not in the best interests of the horse to ride it in this manner. After considering his explanation the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Purton were reasonable in the circumstances.

When questioned Marquand stated that after holding an on-pace position in the early stages, when ENSUED improved to his outside leaving the 1100m he was content to allow that runner to cross him at that point. He said when ENSUED did not continue forward of his mount this resulted in DUBAI HONOUR racing keenly despite his efforts to restrain his mount to come back which resulted in a fast pace being set from that point. He added that in the home straight DUBAI HONOUR continued to respond to his riding and in the circumstances he was not disappointed with the horse’s performance.

Aussie ‘Tom’ might have been satisfied with the run, punters who backed Dubai Honour certainly weren’t with his ride. This wasn’t just a case of JMac being the best rider in the race. It was a case of them allowing him to pull their pants down.

 

IS THERE SOME GOOD NEWS ON THE HORIZON FOR JOSH FLEMING?

DON’T be surprised if some good news is about to break about Josh Fleming, the best race-caller in Queensland, who lost his job with SKY Channel in controversial circumstances.

LGHR understands that a TAB club with one of the best CEO's in south-east Queensland is considering creating a position for a popular racing identity with the talents of Josh.

It’s nice to know that race clubs still exist where you don’t have to suck up to them to survive, or write and comment on issues only when they want you to. Whatever happened to the days when the racing media in Queensland had some respect?

There are plenty of angry people who follow racing in the north over what happened to Josh Fleming and some of them don’t even know him. Karma will square up those who participated in or benefitted from his demise.

 

HERE’S HOPING RICHIE’S ASSESSMENT OF ANTINO WAS TONGUE-IN-CHEEK

LGHR was surprised that so many Queensland racegoers took the bait and got sucked in by the comments of ‘not so big anymore’ Richie Callander in his column on Racenet.

For those of you who won’t pay the subscription fee to read that website here is part of what Richie wrote that has upset so many:

‘I could not believe all the hype and fanfare coming out of Brisbane after Antino's Doomben Cup win on Saturday, but then I remembered it is State of Origin Week.

Queenslanders become a bit different during Origin week.

They run around the streets in maroon jerseys and think they can conquer the world. They are going to get beaten by at least 10 on Wednesday night and yet some in Antino country think they can win.

Antino went terrific in winning Saturday's race, but let's keep our feet on the ground and analyze the situation, let's try and take the maroon passion and fervor out of the chat.

Even my favourite Queensland racing commentator Bernadette Cooper shouted "Bring on the Cox Plate" as she crossed back to Sydney from the scene of the action.

I thought Strawberry Road and Vo Rogue were going to reappear out of the mist. But, no, that's like thinking Wally and Alfie will be coming back for Wednesday night.

Antino was good, very good and there is no harm in dreaming and aiming to run in the Cox Plate.

He donkey licked his rivals on Saturday and won by four lengths, but what did he beat? The opposition was nothing like taking on Via Sistina.

Pride Of Jenni was the genuine A-grader in the race, but she's not an A-grader anymore.

Fawkner Park ran second. Despite being a rising seven-year-old he has never been able to threaten in Group One company. The closest he came was in a six-horse field in this year's Ranvet where Via Sistina strolled home in first place and Lindermann finished second. Not quite Cox Plate form.

When he struck a genuine top-drawer race Fawkner Park finished eighth of 13 in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at $26 and he should have been $126.

Kovalica finished third in the Doomben Cup on Saturday. His last win was two years ago in the Queensland Derby when he beat Fame. Fame has not finished in a place in any race since and 10 days ago he started at $61 when down the course to Liberami over 1800m at Flemington.

So, to sum up I don't want to downplay Antino's win and full marks to Tony Gollan and Blake Shinn, but hold fire all of you up north and take note what happens on Wednesday night because that is what it is going to be like for Antino in the Cox Plate.

EDITOR’S NOTE: If Antino was trained by Chris Waller would you have been so outspoken Richie? Come on mate you’re smarter than that. It was a Doomben Cup run in race record time, regardless of what he beat. Let’s wait and see what happens come Cox Plate time. At least from a proud Queensland point of view we have a legitimate chance in the best weight-for-age race in the world.

 

BIKINI GIRLS & CHINESE DRAGONS – CARNIVAL PROMOTIONAL NIGHTMARE

TIDBITS from CONTRIBUTORS concerning the WEEK THAT WAS in RACING:

ARCHIE of ASPLEY writes:

‘I decided to make a return visit to the races last Saturday to watch Pride of Jenni in the Doomben Cup. The size of the crowd amazed me – I can’t recall a worse one on a major Carnival Day. But what about the trackside promotions – bikini girls and a Chinese Dragon – wow that will really get them back through the gates?’

SAM from BRISBANE, a STAY at HOME PUNTER these days, sent this email:

‘CORPORATE bookies seem to rule the world in racing these days. With all their promotional gimmicks incentives to have a bet – like refunds if the one you back gets beaten – why can’t they find it in their hearts to pay a quarter of the odds for the place – like used to happen. What occurs now is daylight robbery.’

OUR old mate COL from TOWNSVILLE writes:

LOCAL racing has received a positive boost from the performance by Queensland-trained horses over the Doomben carnival. It was great to see Chris Munce and Kelly Schwida scoring doubles as well as the amazing win by Antino in the Doomben Cup. But I need for you to do me a favour. Ask Tony Gollan if Bailey can replace Cav as his tipster?’

PAUL from the GOLD COAST sent this email:

‘GOOD to see the new Gold Coast track perform much better on Friday night than it has been. There is still work on it that needs to be done. The kickback was still there albeit not as serious as before. And is it worth noting that most of the winners didn’t come from further back than fourth?’

SAM from the SUNSHINE COAST writes:

‘WITH rain forecast aren’t we lucky the Sunday meeting in Queensland this week is scheduled for Kilcoy, the Moonee Valley of the North. If it had been at the Sunny Coast they would already be looking at transferring it to the POLY track. Not that Kilcoy, in the eyes of most punters, is much better.’

 

LEVELTHE PLAYING FIELD: CLUBS URGED TO IMPOSE CORPORATE FEE ON VISITING ONLINE INTERSTATE BOOKIES - RQ NEEDS TO ACT NOW

IN a move aimed at restoring fairness and supporting local wagering operations, racing stakeholders are calling on clubs to introduce a $2,000 corporate fee per meeting for visiting online interstate bookmakers.

This proposed fee would apply to bookmakers operating remotely or on-course without holding a primary stand at the host club’s venue.

The initiative is being promoted as a way to level the playing field between Queensland-based bookmakers and interstate operators who leverage local meetings for profit without contributing meaningfully to the racing ecosystem.

Local bookmakers are subject to stringent licensing, operating costs, and community obligations — conditions not always mirrored by their interstate counterparts.

The suggested $2,000 corporate fee would act as a contribution toward club resources, event hosting costs, and infrastructure usage.

It also serves to discourage tax loopholes and selective participation by corporate bookies who benefit from Queensland’s racing industry without maintaining a consistent physical presence.

Many in the industry believe this measure would reinforce the importance of supporting local operators and ensure that clubs are better resourced to continue offering quality racing events.

Race clubs and Racing Queensland are now being urged to consider the policy formally to ensure fair competition, revenue sustainability, and long-term integrity within the industry.

THE Rules for ONCOURSE BOOKMAKING in QUEENSLAND currently prevent this $2,000 CORPORATE FEE from being implemented by clubs.

BR.14 (3): ALLOCATION of a Bookmaker’s Stand at a Licensed Venue

A licensed club must not charge a bookmaker a fee to carry on bookmaking at a licensed venue, EXCEPT that a CLUB may CHARGE A FEE that has been APPROVED by RACING QUEENSLAND.

It's just another loophole that the corporates are exploiting. This one  allows these interlopers from Victoria to encroach on their Queensland colleagues' operations and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission can do nothing about it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

QRIC responsibility is restricted to licensing of bookmakers and under the Racing Integrity Act 2016 there is no requirement for the bookmaker to reside in Queensland, but they must be present to stand at the race meeting.

Deputy Commissioner Kim Kelly has told LGHR that on-course stands operated by bookies at race meetings are managed through the Clubs and this is not a matter over which QRIC has any jurisdiction.

Racing Queensland or the Racing Minister Kim Mander needs to address this issue ASAP to ensure it is a level playing field for local bookies who are doing it tough enough battling the corporates as it is.

LGHR understands that clubs are prepared to support the locals and impose the $2,000 corporate fee on Victorian visitors currently exploiting the rules. The matter is also being raised with the Independent Review into the Three Codes of Racing in Queensland.

Why wait? The rocket-scientists at Racing Queensland simply need to change their Rules to allow Race Clubs to charge the $2,000 fee. They have the power to act now. It’s as simple as that!

 

THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY SIDE OF THE QLD WINTER CARNIVAL

THE main event is yet to be run but fans have already been exposed to the good, the bad and the ugly side of the Queensland Winter Carnival.

What a shame there weren’t more racegoers trackside to see the amazing effort of new local superstar Antino in arguably the best win in the history of the Group 1 Doomben Cup.

The ecstasy of the Antino success story sadly saw the agony of defeat for champion mare Pride Of Jenni whose connections need to accept she has nothing left to prove and should now be retired.

Even trainer Ciaron Maher, gob-smocked by the performance of Antino, conceded Pride of Jenni was ‘disappointing’. She was gone on the home turn, dropped out to finish 12^th (11 lengths behind Antino, a rival she had beaten on many occasions).

Plenty of champions have won the Doomben Cup since it was first run in 1933 including Bernborough (1946), Bore Head (1967), triple hero Rough Habit (1991-93), Caulfield-Melbourne Cup champion Might & Power (1997) and seven length victor Zaaki (2021).

Not only was the effort of Antino the equal of those greats but he bettered the Doomben Cup record of 2:01:06, stopping the clock at 2:00.88. And that was on a track that had been subjected to rain during the week before it was upgraded to a Good 4 on the day.

 

ATTENTION BRC: WE HAVE A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS URGENT ATTENTION

BRISBANE racing has a major problem when it struggles on a Group 1 Winter Carnival day to attract a crowd as big as that which turned out for the meeting at the Gold Coast the previous night.

The big test comes on Stradbroke Day, which not long ago would see Eagle Farm packed to the rafters with close to 20,000 fans. One wonders if that is simply a pipe-dream these days.

If a champion like Pride of Jenni can attract only a few thousand to Doomben for her re-match with Queensland’s new star galloper Antino, what does the Brisbane Racing Club have to do to reignite interest from racegoers.

They can blame the economic climate, live broadcasts on SKY Channel and the Seven Network, or licensed clubs for stealing their crowds. Why wouldn’t you want to go to your local, they’ll even pick you up and drop you back home, charge you nothing to get through the door and the booze and food is nothing like the prices charged at the track?

Respectfully, those excuses are lame. The Gold Coast doesn’t have trouble attracting massive crowds on Magic Millions Day and expect close to 20,000 to turn out for Ipswich Cup Day where once LGHR can remember the mainsteam racing media being instructed not to release the figure if it was more than that attracted to the Stradbroke for fear of embarrassing the BRC/QTC.

Here’s what a couple of our readers had to say about the situation:

GREG from BRISBANE:

‘I might be living in the past but when the likes of David Laing, Roy Beckermann and the late Brian Murphy were CEO’s at Eagle Farm and Doomben things were done differently and they didn’t need big promotional teams or consultants to attract crowds. The problem today is the appointment of too many decision-makers in racing with corporate bookmaking backgrounds or media experience. What the BRC needs are people with a strong business and marketing background who know how to promote and grow a leisure business in the current climate.’

And JENNY from HENDRA:

‘ALL they seem to be worried about at the BRC is outside investments, and I commend them for what they have down at and near the track, but this 'build it and they will come' approach is made for the movies. A new grandstand for the Members isn’t the answer. Perhaps they should take some advice from Racing NSW where The Everest has brought a lost generation back to the track or Racing Victoria where the Melbourne Cup Carnival continues to attract the crowds it did long before SKY Channel arrived. With all due respects, it’s time they put a new broom through the place and head-hunted some young, enthusiastic business brains with a love for racing, instead of punting them off the Board if they disagreed with those running the show to suit their personal interests and others who have been employed as a reward for services rendered in the media in a bygone era.’

 

‘DR TURF’ DECLARES RACING VICTORIA ‘CLOWN SHOW’ OVER SACKINGS

SPORT commentator John Rothfield (better known as DR TURF) has slammed Racing Victoria’s decision to axe on-air media talent in a cost-cutting move that brings the curtain down on Terry Bailey’s race-calling career.

DANNY RUSSELL reports for FAIRFAX MEDIA that Racing Victoria sacked 15 per cent of its administration and media workforce this week as the industry continues to deal with an $11.8 million financial year loss and falling wagering profits - down 5 per cent on the past financial year.

Two inside sources not qualified to speak on behalf of Racing Victoria said Bailey, the State’s No.2 caller behind Matt Hill, was told on Tuesday he would no longer call races for Racing.com.

The sources said other names to be leaving Racing.com included trackside presenter James Tzaferis and reporter Ben Sporle.

Editor-in-chief and general manager of content Paul Tatnell has announced his departure via social media.

Rothfield lashed out after news of the cuts spread this week, saying good, talented people had paid the price for “third-rate executives endorsed by a self-interested board”.

“What a clown show Racing Victoria is,” Dr Turf posted on X.

“Set fire to $90m in prize money hikes and the disastrous ASM [All-Star Mile] then slash and burn, call it a ‘restructure’ and hope that no one will notice.”

While Racing Victoria declined to name those who had lost their jobs this week, it confirmed the cuts to this masthead.

“The Racing Victoria executive team has undertaken a comprehensive review of the structure, resources and operations of the RV Group over recent months,” Racing Victoria said in a statement.

“As a result, a number of roles across all levels and divisions of the RV Group, including the recently integrated RV-owned media businesses, will not be a part of the future structure.”

Dr Turf, who has worked as a panellist on Racing.com’s Saturday Contenders, doubled down on his criticism of Racing Victoria this week on his regular podcast, The Bald and The Beautiful, with Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett.

“I don’t want to talk about the amateurish, appalling administration of racing in this state and the media platforms such as RSN and Racing.com and the ineptitude that oversees them,” Dr Turf said.

“I don’t want to go there, Kevin. I don’t want to talk about these no-hopers. They are totally out of their depth.

“They are not capable of taking racing forward into the 21st century, and we’re stuck with them.

“But I don’t want to talk about them, Kevin. I don’t want to denigrate them or suggest that I’m not fully behind them.”

When pushed further by Bartlett, Dr Turf said racing was in a “precarious state”.

“It’s a shit show, Racing Victoria. It’s an absolute shit show,” he said.

Racing Victoria indicated late last year the industry aimed to save $10 million over the next 12 months by streamlining its media businesses as well as reviewing race programming.

Racing.com staff were moved from their Docklands office back to Racing Victoria’s Flemington headquarters. Racing.com CEO Peter Campbell’s position was made redundant and RV appointed former Entain (Ladbrokes) media strategist Andy Hoad as executive general manager of media, content and marketing.

The changes also saw RSN CEO Bernard Saundry step down. He is now chairman of Harness Racing Victoria.

“We recognise that this is a tough time for those whose role is no longer required,” Racing Victoria said.

“These are people who have given great service to the RV Group and the Victorian racing industry.

“We thank them for their service and will continue to support them as they transition to their next career move, including via our employee assistance program.

“Ultimately, this restructure is designed to place the RV Group, and thereafter the broader industry, on more stable footing to address the current challenges.”

The industry’s racing radio station, Racing & Sport Network (RSN), was unaffected by this week’s cuts as it continues to service three codes – gallops, harness and greyhounds.

But, as reported by this masthead in March, SEN chief Craig Hutchison has been circling to take over the struggling station, which lost its $3 million annual TAB sponsorship in August last year.

Changes continue to sweep the racing industry since the COVID bubble burst and sent wagering turnover spiralling back to pre-COVID levels.

Former CEO Andrew Jones was brought into Racing Victoria as an agent of change in July 2022, but he upset traditionalists with haste to introduce innovations such as interactive jockey earpieces and relaxed dress codes as well as announcing minor prizemoney cuts for the 2023/24 season.

Jonathan Munz, chairman of the Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association, repeatedly called for Jones to be sacked.

Munz’s owners association also called a special general meeting in February 2024 in a failed attempt to spill the industry board because directors continued to back Jones.

Jones later resigned, as did his executives Ben Amarfio and Matt Welsh.

 

VICTORIAN BOOKIES ENCROACH ON QUEENLAND TURF – THOSE AT THE COALFACE REVEAL HOW THIS IS STIRRING DISCONTENT IN QBA RANKS

A growing presence of online Victorian bookmakers at Queensland racetracks is causing ripples of discontent within the Queensland Bookmakers’ Association (QBA), with several members voicing frustration over perceived inaction from the top.

The issue centres on increased digital operations and on-course visibility from southern-based operators, which many Queensland bookmakers see as a direct threat to their market share and long-term viability. The situation has reportedly intensified over recent months, with Victorian entities gaining more ground at key Queensland meetings.

Several QBA members are now openly pointing the finger at the Association’s Pesident accusing him of failing to act swiftly or forcefully enough to defend local bookmakers’ interests.

“This should have been nipped in the bud months ago,” one senior member told LGHR. “Instead, we’re watching our own patch get swallowed while we wait for a response.”

Adding fuel to the fire, concerns are now being raised over whether these interstate operators are using their on-course presence in Queensland to exploit potential tax loopholes or facilitate credit betting practices that would otherwise face stricter scrutiny.

Members are demanding clarity on the regulatory boundaries being tested and questioning whether the integrity of the Queensland wagering environment is being compromised.

In response, Queensland bookmakers are calling on local race clubs to take a stand by ensuring that all on-course bookmakers are Queensland-based. Furthermore, they are urging clubs to require that any bookmaker with an online arm have that operation based and licensed within Queensland. The push is aimed at protecting the local industry, preserving state tax revenue, and ensuring fair regulatory oversight.

With unrest growing and confidence wavering, pressure is mounting on both QBA leadership and race clubs to take decisive action in defence of Queensland bookmakers.

QRIC RESPONSE TO CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY QLD BOOKMAKERS

DEPUTY QRIC COMMISSIONER KIM KELLY has been kind enough to respond to the above which reads:

QRIC’s remit extends only to the licensing of bookmakers.

To stand on-course at a race meeting in Queensland a bookmaker must be licensed. In accordance with the Racing Integrity Act 2016 there is no requirement for the bookmaker to reside in Queensland, but they must be present to stand at the race meeting.

On-course stands held by the bookmakers at race meetings are managed through the Clubs and is not a matter over which QRIC has jurisdiction.

For your reference and that of your readers, please find below the relevant extract from the Rules of Betting: -

 

ROSEHILL – THE JURY IS OUT – RUN TO THE ‘ROSES’ MORE LIKE ‘ASHES’

HERE’S the latest from regular contributor PETER MAIR on the shambolic situation the proposed sale of ROSEHILL racecourse has reached:

‘THE run for Rosehill, roses or ashes, is nearing the post: a 'no' vote would likely be a blessed relief.

Beyond that, 'what's next?' depends on a verdict being validated by the Parliament. Post-mortem findings would be controversial. The Parliament, as a whole, probably remains uneasy with the shambles that unfolded.

Fndings of an earlier Parliamentary Inquiry were brushed aside. The Government conceded only a vague proposal for the racing legislation to be reviewed. Even so, the Government acknowledged the Legislative Council had the option of holding to its preference for a further inquiry into the racing industry. Other states would be wary of a NSW Inquiry, inevitably with national implications.

Brinkmanship is in the air.

The run for Rosehill has been unsettling. Unusually, with voting well underway, a false start was declared. The (truly?) co-operating connections of BuyerSeller, having baulked at the likely outcome, demanded a reset. The course was lengthened. The ATC jury was given a longer form-guide, with confronting and questionable additions.

Whatever, the race has resumed. Connections of BuyerSeller took the opportunity to substitute a more aggressive rider carrying less dead-weight when given clearer riding instructions. The 'who' now calling the BS shots in this race has not been disclosed. They will be.

The connections of SaveRosehill, apparently well in front before the race restarted, took the disappointment stoically and remounted.

…......... stand-by for the photo of the finish.’

 

TOM MOXON STEPS INTO HOT SEAT AS CHAIRMAN OF NSW STEWARDS

IN announcing the appointment of Tom Moxon as Chairman of Stewards, Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys – arguably the most powerful identity in Australian sport, has given out-going Steve Railton the ultimate compliment.

“Steve Railton is a Group 1 human being and has provided diligent and conscientious service to the racing industry throughout his distinguished career,” Mr V’landys AM said.

“Steve has made a significant contribution to Racing NSW during his tenure as Chairman of Stewards, and we are delighted that he will remain involved in a key mentorship role to continue to provide his experience to the broader integrity team.”

One wonders if Bob the Builder, who was Chairman of the RQ Board that punted Railton, choked on his corn flakes when he read what PVL had to say.

Moxon takes over as Chairman of NSW Steward from June 1. He brings over 20 years of experience to the role, having served under previous Chairmen of Stewards Ray Murrihy, Marc Van Gestel and more recently as the Deputy Chairman of Stewards to Steve Railton since November 2022.

“Tom is a highly respected figure within the industry and has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout his tenure with Racing NSW,” V’Landys said.

“His appointment ensures continuity and strong oversight in maintaining the high level of integrity that Racing NSW prides itself on, being the benchmark in world racing.”

Moxon responded: “I’m immensely honoured to be appointed as Chairman of Stewards and look forward to continuing Racing NSW’s commitment to integrity, safety, welfare and the protection of all racing participants.”

Railton will continue with Racing NSW in a senior capacity which will include remotely officiating race meetings via the new Stewards Control Room at Royal Randwick. Through this new function, Railton will be able to provide mentorship and support to the Stewards Panel across NSW.

IT’S a tough task ahead for the new Chief Steward at Racing NSW with punters low on confidence concerning action taken against some top jockeys after continuing poor rides on heavily-backed favorites and a belief, also shared by some stakeholders, that some leading trainers are considered ‘untouchable’.

 

WILL PRIDE OF JENNI PROVE BLOCKBUSTER DRAWCARD AT DOOMBEN?

LOYAL racegoers, who have continued to attend the Queensland Winter Carnival for more years than they care to remember, have described the crowd on Doomben 10,000 Day as one of the worst ever.

The mainstream racing media ‘spin doctors’ spared the Brisbane Racing Club of embarrassment and even officialdom conveniently failed to post a crowd figure which is traditionally elasticised.

It was left to the ‘Archie’s’ to steal the spotlight with Sunshine In Paris in the Group 1 feature, ridden by JMac who wound up on the end of must punter anger for his ride on favourite Belle Detelle in the Rough Habit Plate won in a form reversal by stablemate and roughie Imperialist (nothing new for the Chris Waller stable).

Hometown hero Rothfire almost scored a 10,000 boilover for the Rob Heathcote stable with even McDonald admitting he thought the local had him in trouble until the last few strides.

No-one was cheering louder for Rothfire than his breeder, Wally Gleeson, who was in line for a massive bonus. It would have been interesting to see whether the BRC would have invited Gleeson to join the owners for a celebratory drink had Rothfire won in view of his outspokenness over those AGM Minutes which they continue to refuse to release a draft of.

One of our readers provided interesting food for thought when he suggested that the BRC might have attracted a few thousand more to 10,000 Day had they invited the Fred Brophy Boxing Troupe to perform between races.

‘Fred could have made Broncos star Reece Walsh his main attraction, walking the platform in front of his trackside tent and inviting all-comers. Some of the drunken ferals, pretending to be punters, could have taken him on and gone home worse for wear with the lifetime memory that ‘Cheeky Reecey’ knocked them out on 10,000 Day 2025.'

But looking forward the Winter Carnival does have a blockbuster Doomben Cup drawcard this Saturday in champion mare Pride of Jenni. She may not be racing as well as when she scored a freakish win that will never be forgotten in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes over a year ago but it’s a chance for locals to see her in the flesh.

The jury is out on Pride of Jenni brought back from retirement after her flop in the Australian Cup to win the Listed Anniversary Vase at Caulfield three weeks ago. The rivals she beat that day would be long odds in the Doomben Cup where she has a rematch with old rival Antonito whose last start win in the Hollindale Cup was amazing but is clouded by the ploughed paddock conditions on the day.

Champion trainer Ciaron Maher wouldn’t be telling proud and outspoken owner Tony Ottobre and his family to invite 40 of their friends to fly north for the Doomben Cup if he didn’t think Pride Of Jenni was a big chance of winning another Group 1.

Trainer Tony Gollan, whose stable is hosting his main rival whilst in Queensland, has warned punters that this is not a two-horse race. Bookies have Antonito an easing $3.6 favourite with Pride Of Jenni at $4.2. Next in the market are Fawkner Park at $8, Lindermann at $9 and Eliyass at $10. The latter duo went woeful at the Gold Coast but the track was arguably unfit for racing that day so expect some major form reversals out of the meeting.

Before we get to 10,000 Day there’s the much-anticipated Gold Coast night fixture on Friday featuring a $1 million Magic Millions Two-Year-Old race.

The GCTC has taken a massive gamble and will emerge heroes or villains after this meeting which has the potential to prove a major embarrassment for the Winter Carnival.

The rocket-scientists running racing on the tourist strip have decided to dispense with the services of track experts from Racing Queensland and sent an SOS to the super professional Evergreen Turf hoping they can convert a ploughed pig-sty into a silk purse in the space of a fortnight. It requires a minor miracle. Here's hoping they made the right move!

 

WHICH ON-AIR HOSTS & SENIOR RACECALLER HAS RACING.COM AXED?

PUNTERS are waiting to see which of their on-air favourites are among surprise mass sackings at Victorian broadcaster, Racing.com.

Following hot on the heels of the purge at SKY Channel, several on and off air identities are said to be victims of what Racing Victoria is calling ‘a major restructure’.

Major scalp is reportedly Paul Tatnell, Racing.com’s Editor-In-Chief and General Manager of Content for six years, who informed staff on Tuesday that he would be leaving his position this week.

Those at the coalface describe this as the most significant departure from the revamped Racing Victoria media business since the appointment of Andy Hoad As General Manager – Media, Content and Marketing in March. Ironically, Tatnell is rumoured to have applied for that role but was unsuccessful.

LGHR understands that among the dozen or so to be sacked are several prominent on-air presenters including a senior race-caller. Staff has been told there are some shows that will be axed.

Racing Victoria has blamed the mass sackings on a decline in wagering revenue. They say the Executive Team has undertaken a comprehensive review of the structure, resources and operations over recent months.

The review has been focused on ensuring that the RV Group’s operating model is efficient in the face of current challenges and future financial uncertainty, as well as properly aligned to deliver on strategic objectives.

Along with a decline in wagering revenue, the RV Group has experienced changes to its previous funding model and ongoing pressure on operational costs.

RV, which incurred a net deficit of $11.4 million last year and is expected to suffer a further five per cent fall in wagering revenue this year, claims the Review culminated in “a restructure and refinement of the business to best align the RV Group’s resourcing with its strategic objectives”.

As a result, a number of roles across all levels and divisions of the RV Group, including the recently integrated RV-owned media businesses, will NOT be a part of the future structure.

 

THE GREYHOUNDS FASTER THAN THE GALLOPERS ON & OFF THE TRACK

IT would seem that on and off the track the greyhound industry moves much faster than their big brother colleagues at the gallops.

Following the quick and unexpected exit of Peter Gleeson, the media identity with close ties to the LNP Government, the Queensland Greyhound Racing Club has wasted no time in appointing a replacement CEO.

The Greyhound Recorder reports that the man credited with bringing the wildly successful The Phoenix concept to life is the new boss of the Queensland Greyhound Racing Club in time for the official opening of new The Q complex.

Ashley Baker, who steered premier venue The Meadows between 2019 and 2021, will take the reins of QGRC which manages racing at the new state-of-the-art The Q three-track complex at Purga. LGHR understand from greyhound identities who would know that Gleeson recommended his replacement.

For Victorian-based Baker, the announcement prompts a return to the greyhound racing fold, having departed The Meadows in the aftermath of the inaugural – and hugely successful – The Phoenix in December, 2021.

“The opportunity to lead the QGRC and help shape the future of greyhound racing in Queensland is incredibly exciting,” Baker told the Recorder.

Regarded universally as the most exciting job in greyhound racing, Baker understands the enormity and importance of the task at hand, ensuring The Q realises all of its potential, both on and off the track.

“There's no doubt that The Q is one of the most ambitious projects we've seen in Australian greyhound racing. Our goal is to make it a hub not just for racing, but for community engagement and industry growth.”

Baker, who before his time at The Meadows enjoyed stints with both the Victorian Office of Racing and Werribee Racing Club, is the current CEO of VFL Club Williamstown Seagulls.

“Sport and racing have always been at the heart of my professional journey,” Baker said. “Coming into this role, I bring a deep respect for the industry and a commitment to innovation and integrity. I am truly excited to be able to contribute to this wonderful industry again."

THE appointment of Ashley Baker as CEO at The Q has raised questions from stakeholders about what has happened to the high profile racing official they now call ‘the Loch Ness Monster’.

 

NEED FOR NEW BLOOD AT RQ & HOW MUCH LONER WILL THIS TAKE?

DOES Ashley Baker’s arrival bring an end to the secondment of Jason Scott, who has resigned from his role as CEO at Racing Queensland and will he return there to serve out the reminder of his notice – which has to be one of the biggest in Australian racing history.

There is still no news on the hunt for a replacement for Scott but most stakeholders are adamant they don’t want Lachlan Murray, the Chief Financial and Strategy Officer, who has been acting CEO to get the gig permanently.

The need for change administratively at RQ needs to be heeded by the Labor-appointed RQ Board which will remain in place until the conclusion of the LNP Government-ordered Independent Review into the Three Codes. That suggests to LGHR that the Board in its current form could have a short lifeline.

Bosses of the Queensland Trainers’ Association have resigned in recent times citing un unworkable relationship with Racing Queensland. That won’t change – and it has to for the sake of the industry in general – unless there is change at the top.

There are also calls for RQ to look away from backgrounds in the corporate bookmaker section when finding a replacement CEO. Both Scott and Murray worked in that field. Stakeholders and the racing public believe corporate bookies have too much say in the workings of Australian racing and continue to call for a National Tote to combat this infringement.

 

BOUQUETS AND BRICKBATS FROM ‘OUR MAN GREG’ ON THE ‘GOLDIE’

GREG BLANCHARD, our regular Gold Coast contributor, adds to this week’s offering:

‘BOUQUETS to Racing Minister Tim Mander’s Office for replying on most occasions to my emails and phone calls on concerning issues in the industry.

I realize how busy they are but now hold out hope for changes that are desperately needed in Queensland racing.

BRICKBATS this week to those who promised Mauritius lad Prinish that would be an apprentice here.

This young bloke has been in Rockhampton for nearly two years (a  track rider  for over a year of that time). I've been in his corner knowing full well he could not be an apprentice in Queensland.

Anyone who googles ‘ABC overseas riders in Rockhampton 2023’: will see an article there part of which involves Prinish. The good news is he has an opportunity to fulfil his riding and apprenticeship dreams in NSW.’

 

THERE’S NOWHERE TO HIDE FOR GOLD COAST AFTER FRIDAY NIGHT

THE mail is strong that if the Gold Coast provides another track surface fiasco at Friday night’s meeting, pressure is on Racing Queensland to have the turf closed until the problem can be rectified.

The well-informed Richie Callander reported in his column for Racenet this week:

IT was a wet track for Saturday's Doomben 10,000 meeting, but it was nothing like the circuit presented at the Gold Coast the previous week.

The Gold Coast track is causing the club and Racing Queensland nightmares as the complaints don't seem to stop.

I am talking about the ‘GRASS' track as the polytrack is just fine. Ha ha …

Behind the scenes, the rumblings over the Gold Coast's poor-performing track continue to worry the club and I hear the committee – following discussions with some disgruntled trainers, jockeys and owners – has decided it's time they take matters into their own hands.

The feeling from behind closed doors on the Gold Coast is if they are going to cop the blame, they need to have control of the decisions being made.

With that in mind, the Gold Coast Turf Club will move away from the maintenance advice of Racing Queensland and is set to link with the team from Evergreen Turf, who came to the rescue for the club earlier this year following vandalism to the track in the lead-up to the Magic Millions.

LGHR understands that the GCTC already has Evergreen Turf on-site in a desperate bid to ensure the track plays fairly – nothing like the debacle of the Hollindale Stakes meeting when it resembled a ploughed paddock – when a $1mn Magic Millions Two-Year-Old race is run on Friday night.

Hopefully the weather Gods will be on their side this time and the forecast looks promising but if there is a problem with the track too difficult to fix in the interim then it should be closed and the repair cost borne by the GCTC (seeing they want to go it alone) and not the racing industry as a whole.

One critic of the club suggested: ‘If the good old boys running the show worried more about the track than entertaining their copper mates who helped bring down that decision of vandalism some time back, they might get their priorities in order.’

LGHR has no idea what this guy is talking about. The investigation carried out by the police was thorough and relied on a report from a turf scientist who declared part of the track had been poisoned. The only cloud over the entire thing was the abandoning of the investigation almost as quickly as it began with police declaring those responsible could not be identified. It was still 'hot' before it became a 'cold' case.

 

FRESH APPROACH FROM QRIC TO 'PLEASE EXPLAIN' FROM PUNTERS

INTERESTING email from ‘Bill from Breakfast Creek’ which we publish because QRIC were asked if they wished to comment and unlike the days of Commissioner Shane Gillard who got a response from Kim Kelly.

We preface this email with a disclaimer that LGHR does not agree with some of the content and published it out of public interest:

‘BILL’ writes:

‘Just an interesting observation but I was wondering why one of Brisbane’s leading bookmakers continued to lay Belle Detelle in the last at Doomben. A quick check with his bagman and he declared ‘we have a big slow on it.’ Stablemate got the money at any old price…hmmm.’

(LGHR is not suggesting anything untoward from the Chris Waller stable or that Belle Detelle did not try in the last. But these major upsets from second string runners are commonplace and we felt in the interest of punters stewards should be asked if the stable indicated a change in tactics for the $61 winner Imperialist or the way the favorite and stablemate Belle Detelle was ridden by James McDonald which punters have complained made its task near on impossible.

Here is the reply we received from Kim Kelly and we thank him for the new transparency from QRIC since Commissioner Gillard fell on his sword and left the building.

‘I can confirm that the Chris Waller stable formally notified the Stewards of a change of tactics for Imperialist (NZ) prior to that horse competing in the HKJC World Pool Rough Habit Plate at Doomben racecourse last Saturday.

In accordance with established practice, the intended change of tactics was disseminated to the public via the on-course broadcaster and was released by the Stewards on ‘X’ (formerly ‘Twitter’). QRIC Stewards routinely release necessary information via these means

Further, the intended change of tactics was noted in the Stewards’ Report from the relevant race meeting for the information of the industry and public as follows: -

IMPERIALIST (NZ) – Connections advised of a change of tactics in that IMPERIALIST (NZ) would attempt to settle more forward. Ridden accordingly.

Following the race, the Stewards interviewed the stable representative regarding what the Panel considered to be an improvement in performance which required explanation. This is also done in accordance with establish practice. Accordingly, the following also appeared in the Steward’s Report from last Saturday’s meeting: -

IMPERIALIST (NZ) – When questioned regarding the improved performance of IMPERIALIST (NZ) stable representative B. Killian commented that he attributed the improvement to the removal of blinkers which allowed the gelding to settle in the run, rather than over-race as it did at its last start. 

In respect of the performance of Belle Detelle, it is noteworthy that the horse finished in 6th position, beaten just under three lengths after over-racing in the early and middle stages. Given the circumstances of the race and having regard to the manner in which the horse finished the race off, the Panel was not of the view that the performance could be considered as disappointing.  

 I trust this information is of assistance to your readers in respect of the stated matter.’