MY CALL - THE PROBLEM UP NORTH IS A TICKING TIME-BOMB THAT NEEDS TO BE DEFUSED

By David Fowler | Tuesday, October 16, 2012

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.

There is a time-bomb ticking with Queensland racing and it lies in the north.

It doesn't concern "personalities and politics" nor the "he said, she said" rubbish that is delivered up time and time again under the cloak of reporting news.

Horse numbers in the north are finding it increasingly difficult to match the meetings programmed.

Should there be less meetings scheduled to accurately cater for the horse numbers? If there is less, will TAB turnover suffer?

All interesting questions.

The situation in Mackay is critical. If you don't believe it check last Saturday's
meeting. Poor numbers and dominated by two trainers. And it's not the first time.

But even numbers in Townsville and Rockhampton are below average on occasions.

And as the weather warms up during summer, the horse pool will lessen even further.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that most thoroughbreds don't race week to week yet northern meetings in the same district are regularly programmed on that basis.

While Rockhampton and Townsville aren't in the critical category the red light is flashing on Mackay's head and needs urgent attention.

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Sometime ago this blog signaled some big names would surface in relation to alleged corruption in Victorian racing.

This writer also expressed concern that many administrators, and even some in the media, try to shield the public from the unsavoury side of the business. I described it as ‘Living in denial.”

And now we see the names start to roll out like Damien Oliver who has denied any wrongdoing.

Let me assure you, there will be more names to come.

But again the rose-coloured glasses brigade are trying to deflect the news because it might cast a shadow on the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

It's worth remembering that racing is a 365 day business and relies on impeccable levels of integrity to keep the TAB till ticking over.

It is only the Victoria Racing Club financial coffers that need the Spring Carnival to be a success.

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The importance of sectional times was again illustrated in Saturday's Caulfield Guineas.

Too many concentrate on the closing splits yet often the value of the sectional lies in the early part of the race.

Pierro ran the 1400m to 1200m section of the Guineas in 10.67. Too fast, too fast.

And suicidal considering there is an uphill run at that part of the race.

Breaking 11 seconds is considered impressive and fairly rare at the end of the race yet punching it out early usually spells certain defeat.

Whether that's a legitimate excuse to ensure a forgive pass for the Cox Plate is another matter.

I think he will struggle in the 2040m pressure-cooker environment that is the Cox Plate.

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Nathan Tinkler's financial problems certainly muted a lot of expected hooplah after All Too Hard's Guineas triumph.

It was almost if many were tip-toeing a delicate path. Don’t praise him too much but give him some kudos.

Totally understandable if you personally know some of his creditors in the racing business.

Until next week.

David Fowler