MY CALL - THE PLIGHT OF ON-COURSE BOOKMAKERS. CONTENTIOUS ISSUES NEED TO BE THRASHED OUT
By David Fowler | Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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.
Enough is enough.
It's high time that Racing Queensland and racing clubs in Queensland addressed the plight of on-course bookmakers … and I'm not referring to the hammering they've taken in the last three weeks at the Brisbane Saturday meets.
Sure, they don't like losing. Who does? But it comes with the business and most bookies I know accept that.
The issue that must be addressed is why bookies are falling off the perch with regular monotony.
Brisbane bookies are fed up with the inconsistencies applied to their trade compared to other betting outlets … read here corporate bookmakers and TAB's.
Surely Racing Queensland and racing clubs realise that on-course bookmakers are an integral part to the success of a racing meeting.
Even more significantly, country meetings without bookmakers would be a total disaster.
To put it bluntly, the restrictions, rules and fees being placed on Queensland on-course bookmakers are severely impairing their business.
The controlling body and the race clubs must meet with the Queensland Bookmakers Association and the Paddock Bookmakers Association to thrash out these contentious issues.
And it’s not one way traffic. The bookies have to be prepared to come to the table and, maybe, seek some middle ground.
The days of bookmakers driving flashy cars with loads of cash are long gone. This is a declining industry battling bureaucracy and unfair restrictions.
The silence on the issue over some time has been deafening.
If it wasn't so ridiculous, you'd think they didn't want bookies to survive.
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I've got some questions myself regarding Sunshine Coast racing … and they're questions that many others are also asking.
The night circuit is an admirable project, but why the hell did they run on Friday night when there was no Moonee Valley or Canterbury?
Surely the key ingredient to the success of Friday night racing is to have the hook-up between the three states and, to be honest, Queensland relies on that most.
Why couldn't the 16 meetings scheduled be spread over a period that coincides with the other two venues?
It's common sense.
Secondly, Friday night's meeting was afforded coverage on Sky 1, but the previous week was on Sky 2. Why?
Racing Queensland and Sky Racing trumpeted their contract some months ago so surely as a respected business partner we shouldn't be banished to the Sky 2 network on occasions.
And, thirdly, the better races on Friday night are programmed earlier to take advantage of turnover so why does Tattsbet schedule the quadrella on the last four races.
Hopefully some answers will be forthcoming.
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Much has been said about the truckload of favourites winning in recent weeks.
Several winners on Saturday were not only favourites, but they were rising stars.
Cape Kidnappers, Alltherightmoves, Saraji and Carry Me Bluey could be taken anywhere in Australia and be highly competitive.
Fillydelphia, Hidden Kisses and Rundle are already established above-average gallopers with more wins in store and that was nearly the program.
The bottom line is that the punters are cashed up and Queensland racing … on the track … is looking bright.
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