ROB’S SHOUT - INDUSTRY IN-FIGHTING DOES NOBODY ANY FAVOURS

By Robert Heathcote | Thursday, March 17, 2011

Robert Heathcote is the leading racehorse trainer in Brisbane. 'Rob's Shout' - the personal blog of the premiership winning trainer will appear every Thursday on HRO - workload permitting.

A week is a long time in racing and none more so than this past week!

It was quite eventful with several meetings involving a 'gaggle' of senior trainers with the Owners’ Association President, Grant Morgan in attendance as well as the Breeders’ Association President in Basil Nolan.

Several core agenda items got a thrashing with the most important item to us trainers, of course, being the current level of prize money for metropolitan mid-week racing and strategic provincial races.

I have been asked to give my views and opinions on these matters publicly but, to be honest, I am a bit reluctant to ‘speak freely’ due to the 'politics' involved!

I have no doubt that all involved within thoroughbred racing would love to see an increase in prize money across the board, but as Racing Queensland's Chairman of the board, Bob Bentley often says," there are no rivers of gold as many think"!

There is only a given amount of prize money available for distribution and serious rationalization has to take place, especially in today's extremely competitive market for the gambling dollar!

Maybe cost cutting and less infrastructure spending as well or a better explanation to the industry participants as to exactly what is being spent on certain things may quell the rise in mistrust that is seemingly apparent.

Maybe in the current economic climate, it is not the right time for infrastructure rebuilding.

I have to say that it does frustrate me, and sadden me at times to see so much 'politicking' and Machiavellian intrigue in this wonderful industry of horse racing.

I first saw it when I came into the industry back in 1997 with individual clubs fighting the former QPC who controlled the purse strings for every dollar they could get.

It would appear that nothing much has changed under the new, and I should say, more preferable governance model of the current racing administration!

I guess it can be equated to parliament to a degree. No matter how good the policies of the government are, the opposition will disagree and vice versa and this is the case in racing as well.

What is perceived as a good idea by some will be hated by others and so on.

I have little doubt that our administrators are exceptional people with a strong desire to do what they believe is right for the industry and there will always be detractors, no matter how well a job is done.

There is no secret that the Brisbane Racing Club Board and the RQL board do not see eye to eye on many issues and that is extremely frustrating as it is simply not healthy for the industry and many in the middle do suffer the consequences of the less than cordial harmony that exists!

Metropolitan Racing is, in my opinion, the back-bone of the state’s thoroughbred industry and it should be nurtured and assisted as much as possible and that includes the mid week events which is why a prize money increase is an absolute must … and quickly!

I fear that the lack of harmony that exists between the two parties hurts the industry.

Yes, there will be many say that Heathcote trains and races in the city. Of course he wants more for himself!

That's not the case. I am successful and I have done well this past five or six years and I am enjoying another good season.

It's what I see happening to the industry which is a huge concern to me and metro racing should be the magnet to everyone in the state with a horse 'good enough' to come and win 'in town'!

I have said it in the past and I will say it again, it all comes down to money … some narks may well even say egos, but I won't go there!

How big is the cake and how many times can it be sliced up? That is the biggest question … but, importantly, clarity is also needed!

I see the jockey's are now wanting a bigger slice of the cake as well.

Makes sense to me that they should be on a parity with their southern counterparts as it’s no less dangerous riding at Ipswich than it is at Seymour!

The fact that a large percentage of jockeys do not make big money for the risks they take is a strong argument for the fee raise.

The small percentage that make the big bucks … well that is just a fact of life that the best get more!

Same with golf, football and even darts for that matter. The best do get well rewarded … that's the way it is … but from the other side of the coin, the administrators have an argument where the jockeys cost the industry here over seven percent of the 'cake' whilst it’s only costing the industry about four percent down in NSW and Victoria!

The argument could be used that an increase in jockeys fees will stop a rise in prizemoney?

That would not be fair at all, but I wouldn't be surprised as the money has to come from somewhere!

Never in my life have I seen an industry where there are so many divided opinions on so many varying issues!

Everyone has the answer to so many industry issues.

Perhaps a freer flow of information from the administrators would help industry participants understand the many changes that take place and the decisions which are made!

The reduction of races, the program changes, the setting of venue days and dates and the race restrictions to certain clubs such as Ipswich … I guess it's all driven by turnover, but why can't the industry see and understand the statistics, especially the all important turnover figures!

Information is power, but transparency is essential and I believe it would answer a lot of questions before they even get asked!

I guess the old adage of like it or lump does exist as well to a degree!

I had hoped that the amalgamation of the three racing codes would bring benefit to industry!

It would initially seem that is not the case with yet more conflict and no doubt, much further cost to the industry, especially with the high amount of legal fees … and what is this costing the thoroughbred industry?

Just recently at the trainers meeting, the RQL officials couldn't attend citing the reason, we are too busy now running the three codes!

Maybe a better reason should have been given? We are a huge state and we have copped a pounding from the elements this year which has cost the industry big time!

I remember a long time ago when the QTC and the BRC amalgamated. I thought there would be huge benefits. To be honest, I ain’t seen too many and it’s all come down to money again.

The amalgamated club lost over $900,000 with their grant and my stables rents went through the roof and beers and pies, sorry, gourmet pies are now $27 dollars each!

It’s a war of attrition and I feel the owners and trainers and members for a variety of reasons are copping the sharp end of the stick!

Anyway, I don't envy the task at hand for the administrators whichever side they are on. It has to be a difficult job.

I can just about guarantee there will be the same squabbles in another ten years time with the control body in charge of the purse strings.

I am a horse trainer, and I will continue to do just that, train my horses, voice my opinion on certain issues now and then, such as here, and leave the politics aside.

I can do without it all but I do say thanks to those administrators who continue to belt the ball back and forth! It's probably a thankless task anyway.

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