MY CALL - JOURNALISTS HAVE TO MAKE THEIR OWN LUCK

By David Fowler | Tuesday, December 10, 2013

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.

It was a very hollow call from John Lingard's letsgohorseracing website last week when he complained of other media outlets being favoured with news leaks.

It's worth putting on the record John and I have "form". Actually good form that extends back 30 years. In fact, I got my first decent writing gig through John departing as the Telegraph's trotting writer in 1982.

So for nearly a decade, myself, Gary Keep (Courier Mail) and John Lingard (Daily Sun) battled day by day to secure the best story in the light harness sport.

Yes, I know it's hard to imagine three newspapers, let alone, three individual trotting journos. Times were good then.

We respected each other, actually liked each other but news was news and sometimes you played cut throat.

And no-one played it harder than "Lucky" Lingard. This blog has stated before the respect it has for him as journalist and that has not diminished, despite disagreeing with much of his copy these days.

And John received as many leaks, if not more, that myself and Gary. Good luck to him.

Success in journalism can be attributed to many factors but a strong list of contacts who will provide you with the "edge" is a key component in doing your job well.

John knows how the game is played. He is an old hand and I think he protesteth too much when one looks at the current players in racing administration. There's a mate or two of his in there.

As I said, the leaks whinge rings hollow. Maybe another old newspaper term, "beatup", is more apt to what we read last week.

***************************************************************************************************

Martin Knibbs should be a short-priced favourite to secure the soon to be advertised thoroughbred Chairman of Stewards position.

And plenty will agree with me.

Yes I also have "form" with Martin. We worked closely in the latter half of last decade when he was the chief trots' stipe. He was a good steward and a good leader.

Since rejoining the south-east panel after a lonely Toowoomba stint, he has shone at the meetings he has worked at.

Several licencees have spoken to me personally to applaud the way he handled the Desiree Gill tragedy, on the night and the subsequent inquiry.

Coupled with his excellent communication skills, to use a form-guide term, he's hard to beat.

**************************************************************************************************

That position is only one under consideration at RQ.

Expect some significant reshuffling in various areas in the coming weeks.

Let's hope Shane Scriven's mentoring role at the various tracks is not abandoned. His hands-on experience is exemplary.

***************************************************************************************************

I think my wish for a two mile Brisbane Cup won't happen.

Not that it hasn't come under discussion but the problem is the 2400m Brisbane Cup is rating so well it would be foolish to drop it in preference to switching back.

Understood

***************************************************************************************************

Grapevine: expect one south-east Queensland track to be closed temporarily next year. And it's not Eagle Farm.

Until next week

More articles