RACING writer, TERRY BUTTS, in his Silks ‘n’ Saddles column, reports that the grand opening of Queensland’s latest race track at Rockhampton last week was hailed as a raging success.
We run that column courtesy of the North Queensland Register. It reads: ‘True, everyone was impressed by the new $6 million dollar surface. It was rated by some as one of the great tracks of the world….
Well people can get a bit carried away, especially in front of a microphone and with a large and lively audience including several VIPs.
But there is absolutely no doubt it is a great boost to the area - but at what price?
At a dinner on the eve of the opening, Chairman Bob Bentley promised much, much more to come and predicted Rockhampton could play a major part in Queensland racing.
But he wants a joint venture arrangement and has urged the 350 members of the RJC to join him and his QRL to make it all happen.
Otherwise, he hinted, the offer will go to some other club.
The carrot, we understand is 40 TAB race dates. You might wonder from where these extra dates will come. For Rockhampton to have 40 TAB dates in a season, some other club or clubs will have to forego some of their quota.
Townsville is the tip but some close to the action in the south are even tipping it could be Toowoomba.
Doubtless, QRL is well aware that Cluden racing’s hierarchy will fight strongly against any joint venture proposal, if indeed one is offered.
And the TTC will encourage its members accordingly. But equally the TTC will not wish to lose any of its TAB dates either. But that is only one of several issues that will be thrashed out when they meet.
Then there’s Cairns. Its immediate future is back under a cloud and don’t be surprised to hear of a Supreme Court case involving a major developer who wants the Cannon Park course, and allegedly has legal claim to it. Details are vague but rumors are rife.
Meanwhile, the late mail is strong that Rocky is not entirely warm on the joint venture either, though it has yet to be put formally to members.
Interesting times ahead – and you might wonder why QRL is so keen on these joint ventures.
Maybe it’s the State Government that would like to see the value of racetracks and associated properties listed as part of their assets.
Anything to help the dwindling international credit rating!
Besides is it true a leading bank last year undertook a valuation of TAB tracks in the Queensland?
And while Chairman Bob is busy wooing race club members around the State he has found yet another enemy in the Queensland Breeders and its chairman Bob Frappell.
Frappell, who seems to enjoy strong support from his fellow breeders, is incensed with Bentley’s claim that the TBQA (Thoroughbred Breeders’ Queensland Association) is treating the QTIS 600 Scheme ‘as a social security lifeline’.
Fighting words! Frappell has retaliated with a fiery: “It is ludicrous and insulting to all Queensland breeders.”
Mr Frappell also said he had heard the rumors that the QTIS 600 Scheme would be scrapped: “If I wasn’t dumped as the TBQA chairman.
“I am happy to walk away but only if the breeders want me to,” he said.
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THE whip controversy isn’t over, as we know.
There is no uniformity of penalty between states and even in different areas under different stewards. I am not sure if everyone e is au fait with the exact ruling as it stands today. Not even the jockeys.
But in NSW it would appear the ruling (whatever it is) is proving a financial bonanza., as well as a pain in the a….for horse and jockey!
According to the latest NSW Racing Calendar there were 16 jockeys suspended and 27 fined a total of $7800 in November- December.
Glyn Schofield, the South African was fined four times for a total of $1000. It’s hard to imagine as South Africa has perhaps the most stringent whip rules in the world.
Their whips are half the length of the Aussie baton and jockeys must not raise the whip above the shoulder. South Africans are not renowned as whip bashers at all.
TERRY BUTTS COLUMN IS REPRODUCED COURTESY OF THE NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER.
