ROB'S SHOUT - FAILED PUNTING CLUB, FRUSTRATING TRACKS ALL TEMPERED BY A DOSE OF FESTIVE CHEER
By Robert Heathcote | Thursday, December 19, 2013
Robert Heathcote is the leading racehorse trainer in Brisbane. 'Rob's Shout' - the personal blog of the multi-premiership and Group 1 winning trainer appears exclusively on HRO.
A wise old saying my father used to say to me … “If it’s too good to be true, it usually is”!
So apt in light of the the recent collapse of the ‘Vlahos punting club’. Wow, millions of dollars seemingly disappeared? Wealthy, educated people investing plenty in a sure-fire ‘high return profit making punting business’!
Please, sounds more and more like the Nigerian finance scams every day! While they have my sympathies, a fool and his money can be easily parted!
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I see the Eagle Farm Track has been copping a bit of flak lately and we have not even been racing on it!
Recently some renovation work was done on the track and it hadn’t responded as well as hoped by a certain time so Doomben has carried the work load. I must say it has done so ably too as the Doomben track has fared remarkably well.
Yes, last Saturday the track raced a good 2 which is certainly not ideal with a number of horses ‘jarring’ up on the hard surface including my good mare, Fillydelphia.
I am not potting the track staff, they do their best and they also know the ideal track is a good 3 close to a dead 4. The expected thunderstorms didn’t come and the track dried out quicker from a 12mm storm on the Wednesday. No fault levelled from me, but I’m happy to expect a re-occurrence will only happen some ways down the track.
I hope so anyway!
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The track situation is a bit frustrating for most concerned in racing but, fair to say, that most are not happy unless complaining about something. I can say with confidence though that the Eagle Farm track has really benefitted from the work that has been undertaken.
However, we do all know that the track has indeed passed its use by date and it is in urgent need of a complete makeover.
There are still ongoing issues with funding and decision making at the administrative level as to when we will ever see some action but slowly I am also moving into the line headed ‘apathy’!
Damn frustrating as our main racing track in this entire state should be right at the top of the ‘things to do urgent list’!
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There have been several recent departures from Brisbane worthy of mention.
My travelling foreman Melissa has now relocated to Singapore to work with leading local trainer Stephen Burridge. We all wish her all the best in her new venture and Mel certainly will be missed, but as one door closes another one opens.
The CEO of the BRC, Stephen Ferguson has also decided to move on to greener pastures. Stephen has been responsible for a number of changes during his tenure at the race club with his most notable achievements being the successful merging of the two city clubs and a number of facility changes to both race tracks.
Yeah, he’s locked heads with us trainers on a number of occasions and another part of his legacy will no doubt linger on with the high stable rents the local trainers are levied.
Still, he had a job to do and that was keep the club afloat during the slow financial strangulation the club has endured this past 5 years.
Good luck to Stephen banging heads with the pollie’s in Canberra!
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Buffering has become a welcome addition to the Pride of Brisbane Lions. Buff is an honorary ambassador and it was fitting to see him standing toe to toe with the AFL champ and vice-captain Daniel Rich.
In the press interview I actually likened Daniel to his equine equivalent … a tough and hard at it ‘bulldog’ with plenty of fighting spirit and a real big tank to just keep going under pressure.
I certainly hope 2014 can big another big year for the ‘Buff’ and also the Lions can climb into the 8 and be a force to be reckoned with.
Go the Lions!
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Gee, where did that year just go?
We are right into the teeth of the festive season but most in racing will tell you it’s just business as usual with plenty of racing going on.
We may get a few quiet moments to enjoy the festive spirit but not too much I can assure you. Racing sure is a 24/7 business now.
It’s not a job, it’s a lifestyle!
I recently did manage to take a trip down to Tassie to spend some quality time with my family. Only short but indeed, very sweet. My beautiful mother Joan turned 94 years old and my niece Jenna got married. Great stuff.
So, from all of us at Heathcote Racing, we would like to wish you all seasons’ greetings and a happy and healthy festive season.
Start working on your new year’s resolutions and wish lists and see if you can get them to last a few weeks longer this year!
Yeah sure, weight loss and cut down on the junk food and booze will no doubt feature high on the list again … he he!
I wished for a Group 1 win for Buffering and voila … he got three!
See, there is a Santa after all!
Good health.
Cheers.
Rob
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