MY CALL - THE TERRY BUTTS CASE BEGGARS BELIEF

By David Fowler | Tuesday, December 27, 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.

How the hell can this be happening?

The "Terry Butts case" has left me and many others simply gobsmacked. That is the kindest way to describe it.

A quick snapshot …Terry Butts writes a story quoting trainer Darryl Hansen outlining a situation that happened between himself and Racing Queensland over a swab.

The story appears on November 24 and Racing Queensland was asked to comment on it or reply to it … which they didn't.

But nearly a month later Terry Butts is hauled into a steward inquiry with the suggestion made to him that a correction or a retraction of the aforesaid story should happen or the inquiry could take the matter further!

Yes, this is true. It's just too wild to believe.

Terry Butts did not write an opinion piece critical of Racing Queensland.

He penned a straight story with quotes attributed to Darryl Hansen.

Hansen has provided an affidavit confirming the authenticity of the quotes.

So why the hell is Racing Queensland running after Butts? It's a case of ‘don't shoot the messenger’.

Further, why hasn't Hansen been questioned on his statements. Why is Butts the centre of the inquiry?

A first year cadet in journalism understands some of the most basic rudiments of the craft. Surely Racing Queensland have not received legal advice thinking they are on solid ground on this one?

It beggars belief.

And surely Butts has not been hauled into this inquiry because he is licenced as a trainer by the controlling body? Surely not.

This has the potential to seriously blow up in the face of RQ according to my legal sources.

As a trained journalist, this whole scenario has me absolutely fascinated yet bamboozled. Many will follow its path with keen interest.

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We have to stop getting fooled by the "wet track syndrome" at Doomben.

In two of the last three Saturdays we have been confronted with the early morning prospect of a heavy track at Doomben and form has been researched accordingly.

Yet it has panned out nothing like that with the track ratings left at a level that doesn't sit with the times recorded.

I would go as far as to say that Doomben raced like a dead track on December 10 and last weekend rather than the slow ratings posted.

This is not meant to be critical, rather than to emphasise that the track dries out brilliantly … one of the best in Australia.

So often a rating is posted around 7am and we lose sight of the fact there is still five hours until the first race.

Sunshine Coast produced a similar scenario yesterday.

Maybe officials are erring too much on the side of caution in their initial assessments.

History continues to scream at us that the Doomben track is a beauty!

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It was a change of pace when I called the Albion Park greyhound meeting on Monday night.

My colleague Paul Dolan kindly agreed to a swap with the Sunshine Coast so I could carry out my morning radio commitments.

I reckon it was three years since I called the greyhounds and I must confess I still struggle with them compared to the thoroughbreds and harness racing.

I enjoyed the experience, but I won't be making a habit of it.

Happy New Year to all and see you next week.

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