MY CALL: MINOR PARTIES AND INDEPENDENTS WILL DECIDE THE FATE OF THE QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY BILL
By David Fowler | Tuesday, March 1, 2016
David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.
Minor parties and independents are now a powerful force in Australian politics.
Whether it be their key vote in minority governments or their much publicised obstruction in the Senate federally, they frequently play a strong hand on proposed legislation.
I've now concluded this force will ultimately decide the fate of the Queensland Racing Integrity Bill to be debated in State Parliament later this month.
Racing Minister Grace Grace failed to ignite the spark many hoped for when she ruled out any amendments to the Bill in my interview with her on Radio TAB's Press Room on Monday.
Likening her to the Margaret Thatcher stance that "the lady is not for turning", Grace and the Palaczczuk team will stick with the McSporran report to the "death".
The Parliamentary Committee investigating this Bill report back in a fortnight but it is long odds that any changes will be recommended.
Stakeholders shook their heads after my interview. Most believe McSporran's commercial Board model is a lemon.
So now it becomes a numbers game.
Labor (43) has a one seat call over the LNP 42).
Katter Party reps Robbie Katter and Shane Knuth and Independents Billy Gordon and Peter Wellington are now right in the firing line for racing's number crunchers.
You can bet long odds about Wellington but the other trio offer genuine hope.
The Bill could still nosedive on the floor of Parliament.
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There were a host of stellar performances on the weekend but one of the undercard winners really caught my attention.
Grab the replay of Ghisoni winning the Surround first-up at Randwick making it three from three.
She travels so smoothly and comfortably yet ran an astounding 1:21.36 for the 1400m.
Follow her closely during the Autumn.
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Racing Queensland say there are better fluctuation services that represent the betting market than the APN which provides the bookmakers on track prices.
And they're confident the on track stewards panel can fill the breach of no betting supervisor.
These were the key responses to my criticism of their month long trial of not sending out prices unless there was a corresponding metropolitan meeting interstate.
That also included a betting ring with no betting supervisor.
It's back to business as usual from today.
Good.
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Can Tony Gollan train 100 metropolitan winners this season?
I would have bet 100/1 a month or two ago but I'm not so certain now.
He is poised on 66 with four months of the season remaining.
It averages out to two winners per metro meet. Not easy but not impossible.
Jockeys leader Jimmy Orman can feel the shadow of Jimmy Byrne looming large.
Byrne has his eye right in and trails Orman by only four after a double on the weekend.
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