ROB’S SHOUT – BENTLEY’S LEGACY BELONGS IN THE PAST. IT IS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT THAT MATTERS MOST!
By Robert Heathcote | Thursday, April 19, 2012
Robert Heathcote is the leading racehorse trainer in Brisbane. 'Rob's Shout' - the personal blog of the multi-premiership and Group 1 winning trainer will appear every Thursday on HRO.
Probably the biggest news in racing at present is the recent turmoil within the industries governing body. Executives quitting with juicy payouts and now the big three on the board have finally pulled the pin … thankfully, I guess, as it was only going to get nasty if they had to be forcibly turfed out.
I can't say I am disappointed, although there were times early on when I welcomed and supported the Bentley model. My biggest concern has been the seemingly deliberate and concerted effort by the past board to undermine and erode the status of metropolitan racing in this state. (Many would say he's done that to country racing as well).
I have no doubt that a lot of his angst towards the Metropolitan club was due to this incredible equity grab and attempt for control of the individual clubs … the reason for which I am still none the wiser!
Maybe we will know one day, but it is the end of an era however you look at it. I now hope that everyone starts to all pull in the one direction instead of continuing our in-house industry fighting which has plagued us for the past decade!
The Bob Bentley exit! What legacy does he leave behind? Is it a fractured industry? Whatever that legacy is, investigations into the past (such as the directors redundancy packages) should have a place but should not distract from the main aim of moving the industry forward.
Bentley’s departure will give the 'new broom' a chance to sweep clean the errors of the recent past and to bring the industry together
What is it they say? Never ask for something too much, you might just get it! Now it is up to us to make certain we do better!
The door is closing. Bye, bye Bob … and it looks like welcome to Kevin Dixon into a leading role.
I certainly do not envy him. The new board is sure to cop criticisms whatever they do and it’s essential that the board be open to dialogue from the industry participants and act upon the needs of the industry.
Bob would say he always 'consulted' … maybe so, but he then did what he wanted to do irrespective of whether we liked it or wanted it!
From what I have seen of Kevin Dixon to date in his role as Chairman of the Brisbane Racing Club has been excellent and I am sure he will bring his business acumen and his skill as a mediator to the fore.
Good luck Kevin and I only hope all the knockers in this industry give you and the new board every opportunity to get the job done and give us owners / trainers / breeders / jockeys and punters etc a new ray of hope!
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It was great to see some good horses racing last Saturday and we are going to see some more carnival aspirants line up this coming Saturday.
What a super run from Desleigh Forsters horse, Adebisi!
He was dominant in a great display of sustained speed to win the Bribie and he might be ready to step up to a nice race during the carnival.
He has been transformed since he was gelded which is just another example of turning a talented, wayward colt into a real professional racehorse. I see he is likely to race next in the Victory stakes at weight-for-age on the April 28, probably along with Spirit Of Boom who flashed home in the Bribie to take silver.
Desleigh does a great job with a small team. Her other 'stable star' Easy Running is resuming this Saturday. He can win a good race!
I certainly don't expect Adebisi to be getting the lead handed to him so easily against Buffering in the Victory, or the BTC Cup for that matter, but little doubt the race will generate plenty of interest … and that's what it is all about. A genuine contest !
Muncie will no doubt go out hard on Adebisi in the Victory Stakes but, I can assure you, Buffering has already proven is more than up for a dog-fight and he is proven at WFA.
Morning Captain once again showed that the dream can still be very much alive in racing as he was a bargain buy for only three grand!
His win in the Listed $100k three-year-old race on Saturday was full of merit! He has now returned his owners a great financial windfall and many thrills and, no doubt, there will be many more to come!
Morning Captain is tough and genuine but, even though he suffered some interference, I did think he was lucky to beat Trump!
My bloke was checked badly which cost him his position in the run and ultimately I believe his chance of winning. Ricky McMahon is adamant it cost him the win as the margin was a rapidly closing neck and amazingly no jockey was attributed the blame for the interference!
I have not seen the stewards footage so I can't comment accurately, but I know Ric was dumbfounded by the stewards’ ruling!
Trump had a flashing light on him after his excellent first up run under 59 kilos and I was amazed at the big odds offered last Saturday. He will now run in the three-year-old mile race on Saturday week and I do believe there is a nice race in this horse.
He tends to get himself a little worked up pre-race, so this is a characteristic he must improve and I think he will with a bit of racing under his belt. I certainly hope so!
Saturday sees some really good competitive fields again with some quality horse’s racing. Hopefully the weather will be kinder to us and we can get onto at least a dead track! The doorstep of the winter carnival … can you just feel it?
Some nice two-year-olds that would hope to feature in the carnival races appear in the first race, in particular Charge A Fortune who I know Rex Lipp has a healthy opinion of!
I have a lovely horse, Solzhenitsyn, in race three. He’s got a horror draw of 19, but there is a good race in this bloke!
The Mick Dittman Plate has some very nice three-year-olds lining up and the Hinkler sees the return of Listen Son and my good mare Fillydelphia. Metallurgical is a quality horse on his day and the kiwi Durham Town has won six of his last eight. Looks a top race!
My bonny mare, Funtantes is defending the Juanmo Stakes she won last year but the 58 is a decent steadier! She went down a lip at her last start so I expect her to race well again.
You would hope you are a dollar in front coming to the three-year-old over the mile as its as open as the Sydney heads!
Yes, they may well be past their prime, but there are a couple of multi millionaires competing in the last so they deserve a round of applause.
Scenic Shot is an old marvel … and great to see Scrivo back in the game … and there’s also my old bloke Triple Honour who just went down at his last run, so he's coming back to form. (Don't forget your whip Shane. Ha. Thank God he's got a sense of humour as he's a big bloke).
It looks like a great day’s racing to coincide with their big day in Sydney. A bloody shame about the rain there though.
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I watched the Sky TV show on Kristy Banks.
What an inspiring young lady!
There is a function organised by the Owners’ Association on May 17th at the Tattersalls Club, so hopefully we get a big roll up for that night.
Have a safe and healthy weekend.
Regards.
Robert
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