Letsgohorseracing - QLD & REST

Details: Published: 09 June 2014; Created: 09 June 2014

RACING Queensland has been hit by a potential new betting scandal after a senior steward was stood down amid allegations he was seen betting at a Brisbane TAB.

DANIEL MEERS reports for THE COURIER-MAIL that the incident was immediately referred to Racing Integrity Commissioner Jim O’Sullivan, who has requested to view footage from the TAB to determine whether the allegations have any substance.

Mr O’Sullivan is a former Queensland police commissioner.

Read more: SENIOR RQ STEWARD STOOD DOWN

Details: Published: 07 June 2014; Created: 07 June 2014

POPULAR Queensland race caller Wayne Wilson has died aged 66 after a long battle with cancer.

MARK OBERHARDT reports for AAP that Wilson fought cancer for nearly 15 years with the same zeal and passion he approached his career.

The disease finally claimed his life on Friday night, the eve of Brisbane's biggest race day.

Details: Published: 23 May 2014; Created: 23 May 2014

THE tragic death of 26-year-old jockey Simone Montgomerie in Darwin last year following a race fall from the horse Riahgrand was caused by no single factor, according to a Northern Territory WorkSafe investigation report released on Friday.

PATRICK BARTLEY reports in THE AGE that the death of the likeable young jockey stunned the racing world last August when she fell from her horse during the running of the Lightning Plate at the Darwin Cup day fixture.

"This was a very public, very tragic event," Work Health Authority deputy chief executive Doug Phillips said.

Details: Published: 20 May 2014; Created: 20 May 2014

RACING Queensland has been plunged into turmoil after deputy chairman Barry Taylor quit the board following a bitter feud with chairman Kevin Dixon over transparency of boardroom decision-making.

DANIEL MEERS reports in THE COURIER-MAIL that the resignation is a major blow to the Newman government who cleaned out Racing Queensland and launched an inquiry into the actions of the previous board which saw former chairman Bob Bentley, Labor powerbroker Bill Ludwig and eight others referred to ASIC.

Last week board members were sent a directive to close corporate betting accounts because of probity issues with the multi-billion TAB deal which is being negotiated.

Details: Published: 13 May 2014; Created: 13 May 2014

A SPECIAL meeting has reportedly been convened in Toowoomba today to discuss with jockeys and trainers concerns over the state of the new Clifford Park track.

Despite glowing reports from RQ Chairman Kevin Dixon and Toowoomba Turf Club chairman, Bob Frappell, on how justified the multi-million dollar investment has been, this website continues to hear reports to the contrary.

Details: Published: 07 May 2014; Created: 07 May 2014

RACING Queensland has reached an agreement regarding the late entry fee for the connections of three prominent Doomben Cup prospects which were not declared first acceptors yesterday.

Trainers Darren Weir (Akzar), Ciaron Maher (Mr O’Ceirin) and Gerald Ryan (Angel of Mercy) all missed the 9am deadline for declaration of first acceptors for the $500,000 Cup.

Under Doomben Cup conditions connections would have to lodge a $23,100 late entry fee for re-inclusion in the field, but RQ CEO Darren Condon said the decision was made to halve the fee “due to unusual circumstances”.

Details: Published: 29 April 2014; Created: 29 April 2014

RACING Queensland has today renewed its commitment to support racing in the Mackay region, announcing free entry at Ooralea Racecourse for Saturday’s meeting.

Chief Executive Officer Darren Condon said it was business as usual at Ooralea and urged Mackay locals to take advantage of the free entry on Saturday and support the club.

Details: Published: 27 April 2014; Created: 27 April 2014

RACING Queensland has announced it will offer compensation to trainers and jockeys who were inconvenienced by the late postponement of the Bowen Turf Club meeting on April 19.

Racing Queensland CEO Darren Condon said it was regrettable the meeting had been postponed, but the body would pay a subsidy of $200 per horse, which is payable to the trainer, and $100 per jockey to cover expenses.

Details: Published: 25 April 2014; Created: 25 April 2014

THE Racing Appeals Tribunal has dismissed an appeal by apprentice jockey Brooke Richardson and ruled that a penalty of four months imposed over her ride on Raeburn at Eagle Farm in March was appropriate.

The Tribunal was chaired Judge Bill Carter. Richardson was represented by Des O’Keefe of the Australian Jockeys Association and the stewards by Daniel Aurisch.

Details: Published: 05 April 2014; Created: 05 April 2014

A former leading voice of Queensland racing Larry Pratt has died in hospital aged 78.

AAP reports that Pratt, the younger brother of former premiership winning trainer Alby Pratt, had been in hospital for the past month after heart surgery.

His son Michael Pratt said Larry had been thought to be improving, but had a bad turn on Friday night.