MY CALL: THE ABC'S MOTIVES MIGHT BE QUESTIONED BUT LEGITIMATE CONCERNS HAVE BEEN RAISED
By David Fowler | Tuesday, October 22, 2019
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.
The ABC’s 7:30 Report called “The Final Race”, aired last Thursday, ignited much debate and raised many issues.
By virtue of being the ABC and shown on the eve of The Everest / Caulfield Cup weekend, it was treated cynically by many.
While no fan of the ABC, I think that’s an unfair judgement.
Yet what was equally unfair, and stupid, was the immediate call that the racing industry was “rooned” by the program’s content.
Convenient, deceitful but not new for racing’s haters, yet disappointingly naïve and superficial by many in the general public.
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One issue that achieved a unity ticket was the condemnation of the treatment of the horses at the Meramist abattoir at Caboolture.
Clearly contravening State Government Animal Welfare laws, the book should be thrown at them and probably will.
It also serves as a warning to the State Government to pay more attention to the happenings at these businesses.
While it might be unpalatable to many, abattoirs and knackeries are legal, providing horse meat for animal food and human consumption
After that, the debate becomes less defined.
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There is one key point that can’t be denied in terms of the racing industry and abattoirs and knackeries.
Racing administration is adamant in their defence that there a fewer racehorses being sent to these slaughter houses compared to the ABC’s figures.
This is an issue where the naivety finger may have to be pointed at the controlling bodies.
While they assert 1% are listed to go to abattoirs, it’s reasonable to assume that some of these owners may have a change of mind from the breeding/equestrian/pleasure after-life to the “other” darker option.
That brings into question how strongly the after-life is policed by administration.
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The other fly in the ointment is if a horse is on-sold upon retirement. It becomes one step removed from the hand of the official and their legal powers vanish.
A National Traceability Register seems inevitable and considering it is already the topic of a Senate Inquiry, its evolvement will be sooner than later.
Clearly, rehoming processes need to be expanded but that will have to be supported by a hefty budget.
Racehorses have a relatively brief track career but can live a long time in retirement.
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Interestingly, the breeders were quick off the blocks to support rehoming processes.
Anything but discussing the other end of the timeline. In other words, are we breeding too many horses?
It’s a valid point, at least worthy of discussion rather than being ignored.
Another inconvenient topic for the breeding community will be a potential levy on yearlings added to the purchase price to assist in retirement expenses.
While the ABC’s motives might be questioned, the light they have shone on an unlawful practice has unlocked a Pandora’s box of legitimate concerns.
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