THE funding of racing industry projects, how an $80 million cash injection from Queensland Government tax relief will be spent and a behind the scenes political play surrounding the proposal for a merged three code control body dominated the e-mail box this week.

One of the many interesting e-mails focused on the alleged role that former Toowoomba Turf Club chairman, Neville Stewart, is playing behind the scenes trying to convince the Liberal-National Party to support the control body merger.

Here is a cross-section of the best e-mails received during the week:

WHO’S PULLING THE LNP STRINGS ON THE MERGED CONTROL BODY?

‘Those of us close enough to know the political power play that is occurring behind the scenes to have the LNP support any Government move for a merged three code control body believe the racing industry should be aware of what is going on.

‘Many are not opposed to the merged body but do not want to see Queensland Racing chairman Bob Bentley and his merry men simply take over while harness racing and greyhounds have virtually no say.

‘Bentley is pushing to have his entire Board given five-year terms on the merged body and apparently he wants only one representative from the trots and dogs. This would enable him and his deputy, Tony Hanmer, to escape having to stand for re-election over the next two years on the QR Board. Bentley would no doubt survive but Hanmer wouldn’t.

‘Our understanding is that Stewart intervened on Bentley’s behalf and organized a meeting with LNP leader, John Paul Langbroek, seeking his support on the three code merger proposal. Why would Stewart be interested unless there is something in it for him in the long run?

‘Those close to the action are adamant that Bentley will move to install his mate on whatever Board there is as soon as a vacancy occurs and there are already rumblings about whether Bill Ludwig is planning an early exit for health reasons. Surely if he did leave the replacement would have to come from those on the latest short list for Board appointment and not Stewart.

‘We are not totally opposed to a combined Board but there needs to be a few ground rules and the LNP should be listening to this. The appointment term can be no longer than two years and there needs to be only three QR Board members and two independents.

‘Of course the old chestnut of how the independents would be selected will arise. Why not have the Country Racing Association nominate one and the TAB clubs, including the trots and dogs, appoint the other?’ – Name and address confirmed but with-held by request.

 

HOW MUCH INFLUENCE DOES ONE MAN HAVE HAVE ON RACING POLICY?

Then there was this e-mail from Jim Stanley of the Gold Coast: ‘I was disappointed to learn about the influence that Neville Stewart appears to still have on some members of the Liberal Party.

‘Supporters of Bob Bentley and Neville Stewart are crowing about the job that ‘Nifty’ is doing for ‘Builder Bob’ with his old mates in the LNP. I am a great supporter of the new LNP leader, John Paul Langbroek and feel sure he would be devastated to hear what is being said.

‘The story goes that Stewart makes a telephone call and next thing Bentley is meeting with Langbroek. The Bentley-Stewart supporters are claiming that Shadow Racing Spokesman Ray Stevens is being virtually silenced. The time he seems to rise to speak in the House would certainly suggest that Stevens is not getting a fair go on racing from his own party.

‘The LNP does not seem to care about racing. If it continues to allow itself and its policy to be hijacked by Stewart, working behind the scenes for his mate Bentley, then they will lose the support of an industry that it is vital to them in their quest for success at the next election.

‘Fortunately there could be a wild card in the deck that does have more influence on the LNP that ‘Nifty’ Neville. His name is Kevin Seymour, he does have the ear of some important political heavyweights and we are told he is far from happy at the attempted Bentley takeover over the merged codes control body. St Kevin, your help is desperately needed!’

 

ARE THERE ENDLESS POCKETS TO THIS $80 MILLION WINDFALL?

MANY in the industry are obviously very confused about the tax relief package announced by the Government that will net the three codes approximately $80 million over four years.

We have selected a couple of e-mails on this topic to run:

Sam Clifford of the Sunshine Coast writes: ‘I wish I could get Bob Bentley to do my budget. That $80 million wind-fall from the Government seems to have more elasticity than the briefs that Mama Cass used to wear.

‘In his political speech on behalf of the Labor Party, Mr Bentley highlighted the fact that this funding package was the largest by any Government of any political persuasion. I guess he meant to racing.

‘That being the case how does he expect to divide $80 million over four years between three codes and have it cover the costs of some of the projects that are being mentioned. I might be mistaken but two of those involve expenditure of $75 million at the Gold Coast and at least $10 million at Mackay, not to mention the new greyhound facility to be built south of Brisbane.

‘He says the infrastructure projects have been identified in an Issues Paper which was submitted to the Government a year ago. Well would someone at the Racing Minister’s office or in Queensland Racing like to release a few details to the industry on what is contained in this Issues Paper?

‘My understanding is that the LNP and Shadow Racing Minister Stevens can’t get any details from Mr Bentley. What makes it even more appalling is the fact that no money has been set aside for Eagle Farm, a facility that is an absolute disgrace for punters in this day and age.

‘Perhaps your web-site could ask Mr Bentley to provide details of the Issues Paper or is it just something else that the racing industry is being kept in the dark on and will have to secure through Freedom of Information.’

EDITOR’S NOTE:  All I can add is that Mr Bentley did state that in addition to the $80 million from Government tax relief there would be industry funds added and a commercial credit facility established to undertake essential projects in all codes. He said these funds will be made available to a combined control body with no Government involvement. We will attempt to secure information on the ‘Issues Paper.’

 

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ‘BUILDER BOB,’ THE GOVERNMENT & MAGIC MILLIONS?

‘It’s no mean feat to get a cash strapped government to give back $80 million from the taxes they’ve taken from punters and hand it over to a new control body for the three codes, led no doubt by Bob Bentley.

‘This benevolence is especially remarkable when the Government is in such a deep hole financially (politically too) that they are selling off other vital public assets to keep their heads above water.

‘So what’s in it for the Government? Nothing according to Bob Bentley - just the welfare of the industry and maybe a few votes from racing folk at the next election.

‘So credit is due to whoever convinced the Government to accept this plan. Whether it was solely Bob’s idea, accomplished single-handedly is uncertain but he’s the appointed spokesman as Singo told us on Sunday TV (Racing Retro on Sky Channel).

‘So while we know the Gold Coast Turf Club is the first priority, getting upwards of $35 million, no doubt thanks to Jerry and Singo’s agonising yearly threats and whinges, and the dogs are getting a new track at Underwood, we are mainly in the dark as to future plans.

‘There is an ‘issues paper’ which would provide answers if it were to be made public. Talk about the control body acquiring club assets could be a stumbling block.

‘The announcement by the Government at the MM races followed a meeting the previous day attended by QRL, Magic Millions, with Treasury and no doubt  Minister Lawlor, but no industry reps or race clubs were there.

'But Singo was, as he disclosed on Racing Retro TV the following day. So looks like Jerry and Singo are on the inside and are in line to get a benefit, what or how we’ll have to wait and see. If they get any of my money I’ll be dirty, very bloody dirty, as will most punters.

'Back to Bob, what’s he getting, kudos? Not yet anyway, apart from Singo, who is his number 1 fan.

‘The major race clubs are dirty they weren’t consulted and Bob’s letter, dismissing their claim for consultation, would have pissed them off even more. He’s not a bridge builder whatever his other attributes are. But Singo still loves him.

‘By the same token Bob’s no dill as instead of serving out his term as QRL chairman and drifting off into the sunset like the QRL Constitution prescribes, he’ll get a whole new lease of life under the proposed regime of five appointees from racing and only one each from the dogs and trots and probably a substantial pay rise.

‘Last year the five QRL directors earned a bit over $240,000. Seeing that they write their own tickets, the new body won’t settle for less, they’ll probably think they should get an increase with responsibility for three codes instead of one.

‘Very convenient that the new body will have seven members, allowing all five from QRL to slip in quietly for an extended term while the other codes have to get rid of three of their four members.

‘Hard to justify seven members isn’t it when all three codes have managed with no more than four or five? The Government will be complete dills if they fall for this many snouts in the trough.

‘Remember it wasn’t so long ago that Bob tried to amend the QRL constitution to carry on beyond his existing term, when by rights he would be required to step down after serving the maximum term.

‘Bob had projects to finish so he needed an extension he said. While the A class members approved this change Minister Fraser knocked it back but didn’t say why.

‘But Bob’s not done for yet. This new control body should give him one or two terms, at least five more years, maybe more.

‘I predict out of all this Bob will be the big winner, closely followed by Jerry and Singo and the once a year punters who go to the Magic Millions race day. Who knows what’s in it for anyone else, especially those who provided the cash in the first place. – Name and address with-held by request.

 

WHAT IS THE SCTC POSITION IN RELATION TO EQUITY AND DEBT?

WE also received this e-mail and will attempt to secure an answer from Queensland Racing:

‘As a long-time member of the Sunshine Coast Turf Club and an owner I became concerned at recent events surrounding the club’s position on equity and debt in relation to the smoke and sometime mirrors deal with Queensland Racing Limited.

‘I asked the Club Treasurer: Where do ordinary members stand in the event of debt created by the other party?

‘I have been awaiting a reply for over a month.’ – George Bailey, Sunshine Coast.

 

PUNTERS IN STATE OF DISBELIEF AT GANDERTON APPEAL RULING

THE e-mail box was inundated with protests from punters following the news that Sydney apprentice Daniel Ganderton had escaped penalty over his controversial ride on Deer Valley at the Gold Coast.

We have selected only two of more than 20 e-mails received that were critical of the decision of the Appeals Body. There was not one supporting Ganderton and some were too defamatory for us to run.

John Abrahams of Ipswich wrote: ‘I am absolutely appalled and disgusted by the decision of the Appeals Tribunal in the Ganderton case and the one that I feel really sorry for in all of this is the relatively new Queensland Racing Chairman of Stewards, Wade Birch.

‘Mr Birch was on the front foot when the inquiry opened and even suggested to Ganderton that it could be perceived he had given the horse a ‘quiet run’ at the Gold Coast.

‘Here’s hoping Mr Birch doesn’t head down the same track as a former chief steward who never fired a shot after losing a big case on appeal soon after he was appointed.

‘I have nothing against young Ganderton fighting to clear his name but I am disappointed by the decision and yes I am talking through my pocket as I did back Deer Valley on the day.’

Then there was this one:

‘Queensland Racing is again the subject of jokes around the country after this appeal decision in the Ganderton case. I am in a state of disbelief and so are many hundreds of punters. I will never bet on a race in Queensland again.

‘Could you please tell me who the Appeal Body members were, who the lawyer was that managed to get Ganderton off and do you think that the stewards will be allowed to challenge the decision?” – Mick, just a Mug Punter, from Bardon.

EDITOR’S REPLY: The Director of Integrity Operations for Queensland Racing, Jamie Orchard, tells us that a decision on whether to challenge the ruling will not be made until the reasons have been examined and discussed.

The committee that upheld the Ganderton appeal was chaired by Gary Casey (a former magistrate), and included Giovanni Porta (a prominent lawyer and law lecturer) and Noel Thompson (a former leading steward).

Ganderton was represented by Jim Murdoch, who has an excellent strike rate in his appeal appearances involving racing in Queensland and has earnt the nickname as the ‘Perry Mason’ of the Queensland Racing industry.