MY CALL - WEAK, CRINGE-WORTHY RESPONSES BY ADMINISTRATORS DOES NOBODY ANY GOOD AT ALL
By David Fowler | Tuesday, November 13, 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.
This blog has written consistently in recent months about how some racing administration and media live in denial to what is actually happening in their own backyard.
But their cringe-worthy responses to the Damien Oliver affair during Cup week just made them look like dills.
One could reluctantly admire their desire to keep the dark side of racing out of the spotlight but the "I know nothing" responses and abuse at the media sent their images plummeting further in most peoples' minds.
And right from the top … from the Premier to the RV CEO to the Chairman of Stewards … they appeared weak.
It is patently clear the Damien Oliver case was slowed down to avoid a head-on clash with Cup week and all the good publicity and turnover it generates.
That works with a compliant media but the racing administration were fully aware that Fairfax has been following the corruption trail like a rat up a drainpipe and it wasn't going to weaken in its vigor.
In fact, expect two more jockey names to hit the headlines soon.
RV integrity acted so swiftly with Danny Nikolic and treatment of horses during Cup week that it only exposes their inconsistency in going at a snail’s pace with Oliver.
And while the administration continue to embarrass themselves, even certain sections of the media persist in saying "it ain't so".
Channel 7's John Letts kept saying to Damien Oliver that "Australia was riding with you". Really?
At least some in News Limited who are trailing Fairfax on this yarn are emerging from the woodwork and telling it like it is. The Courier Mail's Robert Craddock and The
Australian's Patrick Smith come to mind.
And, in closing, to an irate punter who fronted me at Doomben last Tuesday and said "all jockeys bet" I replied "maybe but hopefully on the ones they are riding".
Enough said. Let's see matters play out but, fingers crossed, let’s hope it is before you are opening your Christmas presents.
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The Central Queenslanders won't like this but can the city have it Oaks day date back?
Oaks Day meetings normally get a turnover surge and a few extra people through the gate because it coincides with the big meet at Flemington.
I will guarantee turnover on a Rockhampton Wednesday, Brisbane Thursday would be higher than the other way around as it currently is.
So how about it?
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Dumb decision 1: Whoever did the race order for Flemington last Saturday.
To leave the Patinack Classic out of the quadrella (race five of nine) and instead put the Matriarch Stakes in (race seven) beggars belief.
Dumb decision 2: Tommy Berry for missing the ride on Fat Al in the Emirates.
Tommy, if you have a Group One mount, why not fly down the night before. It's not rocket science.
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Rumour File: Expect some challenges to the recently released LNP legislation regarding racing.
Submissions may be closed but that expression "devil in the detail" might prove accurate on this occasion.
Until next week.
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