SEVEN DAYS (THE WEDNESDAY REPORT) – THE WEEK IN REVIEW (JANUARY 15 - JANUARY 21)
By Graham Potter | Wednesday, January 22, 2014
HRO's news feature - SEVEN DAYS (THE WEDNESDAY REPORT) - provides a weekly review of racing activity in Queensland, both on and off the track.
AT RACING QUEENSLAND: The selection process with regards to appointing a Chief Steward has gone into overtime with the application deadline being extended … while on the wagering front an Expression Of Interest prospectus is being distributed to leading national and international wagering operators by Racing Queensland with the intent that such expressions of Interests should be ‘designed to meet a new and exciting world of wagering with consideration extending ‘outside the traditional race wagering operator model.’
THE CHIEF STEWARD DILEMMA: The argument put forward by RQ that because the position was originally advertised during the holidays it would be better to extend the application period falls a little flat. It has been well known for some time in racing circles that the position was available and according to RQ, themselves, ‘a high level of steward has already applied for the job.’ So what are they waiting for? Or, could it be … more to the point, who are they waiting for? The delay certainly won’t help the morale of those whose applications came in on time and for those already in-house at RQ who might have applied for the job the situation must be quite unsettling. It certainly wasn’t a decision designed to keep harmony at home.
THE INVITATION TO WAGERING OPERATORS: With RQ’s current wagering operator’s exclusive contract coming to an end in June, RQ has wisely opened up avenues for various wagering operators to put forward their claims to be offered contract(s). As much as the time is right to gather such an overview of innovative possibilities and take on that decision making challenge, RQ Chairman Kevin Dixon half issued a challenge of his own to wagering operators when telling Shane Anderson in an interview on RSN that, “they talk often about alternatives that they can provide if they were allowed to … and it has been closed market and so forth … well, we’ve cut through all of that and now it will be interesting to see what they have got to say. Because of the flexibility we have at the moment, now is the time to test all that and weigh up our options. We’ve got six months to sort this landscape out.”
Then, in the same interview Dixon added …
“Just a word of caution, if you like, to wagering operators out there from our perspective. The major groups involved in the sport are the owners, the trainers who work for them, the clubs who put on the show and the customers who provide the wagering … and then, of course, there are the wagering operators. Now, if you look at those … the owners have been under water for a long time. The clubs have been struggling. The customers feel they get a raw deal, and the wagering operators are making a lot of money. So there seems to be something wrong in that balance and we’ve got the opportunity now of trying to address that.”
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AT BRC (Behind the scenes): The Brisbane Racing Club has appointed Dave Whimpey as its new Chief Executive Officer. Whimpey, who has a corporate background in hospitality, events management and operations, will take up his post on February 24.
Club Chairman Neville Bell, who jets off for South Africa tomorrow, had earlier thrown the betting for the post into disarray when he confirmed at the track on Saturday that the position would go to a ‘non-racing’ person and he expanded on that point when announcing the new CEO yesterday.
“We were specifically looking for an executive from outside the traditional racing base who could manage the BRC through this most exciting period for the Club (the Masterplan implementation).
“Dave brings a very strong background in hospitality, events management and marketing and he has a proven track record of delivering results and events in customer-driven organisations.”
For the past three years, Whimpey has worked for Coles Hotels as its National Manager – Strategic Finance and Gaming. His role involved strategy at Coles Group’s 96 hotels, which feature 3000 electronic gaming machines. He has also worked for Tabcorp, Hilton Hotels and KPMG in a career stretching more than 20 years. His tenure at Tabcorp included the role as director of operations at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Bell said the BRC received 170 applications for the chief executive’s role. “We received applications from as far as Dubai, Macau, New Zealand and all Australian states.”
“The BRC’s business is events management and racing is our core function,” said Bell. “But we must diversify the business model to develop non-racing revenue streams. This then enables us to further develop our passion for racing.”
In a further move the BRC has appointed former Courier-Mail racing editor Bart Sinclair to a consultancy role as Racing Manager. Sinclair will be assisted in his role by BRC employee Melissa Shield and this duo will be charged with to overseeing racing issues.
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STILL PENDING: It was case of another week, another wait for two important pending issues whose resolutions are likely to have major repercussions for racing in Queensland, past, present and future.
The findings and recommendations of the Queensland Racing Commission of Inquiry are due to be unveiled soon. February 7 has been mentioned as the announcement date. Some believe that the inquiry’s terms of reference did not go far enough, being limited to events starting on January 1, 2007 … meaning that its powers could not include investigating events up to and including the sale of the TAB in 1999, a sale which, it can be argued, has had a major long-term, negative impact on the industry.
The second outcome due to decided soon is the case between Racing Queensland and the Tattsbet group. Tatts, which owns UNiTAB, has an arrangement with RQL relating to the use of race field information in which it shared revenues with an RQL company, Product Co.
When Tatts was required to also pay fees to interstate control bodies, it deducted those amounts from the revenues shared with Product Co. Those legality of those deductions are now being disputed by Racing Queensland and Tatts, after initially asking the Supreme Court to settle the matter, have since fired a counter attack of their own which means the result could be a close call.
With close to a cool $100 million at stake, and knowing just what that $100 million would mean for racing in the state, this battle is not for the faint-hearted.
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ON THE TRACK: Brad Stewart was bemused by the attention he received at Caloundra on Sunday. But then again, Stewart has never been a show-pony, so it was hardly surprising that he was unfazed by the fact he had created history the day before, as far as all researchers could ascertain, by riding three winners at three different tracks on one day.
From the Gold Coast to Doomben then the dash to Toowoomba, registering a winner at each port of call made for an interesting day for the rider.
I was party to a conversation in Rockhampton on the Thursday prior to his Stewart’s achievement in which Stewart was quizzing Justin Stanley about the time it took to get from Doomben to Toowoomba. Stanley lamented the road-works on the route, telling Stewart he’d have to add some time to his schedule
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“I can’t. I’m in the last at Doomben,” said Stewart.
“Well I don’t fancy your chances of getting to Toowoomba on time then,” answered Stanley.
Little did I know at the time that Stewart was in fact planning what would turn out to be a record making run.
After winning aboard Lady De Retz (a pick up ride at the expense of the overweight Mitchell Speers) at the Gold Coast and Motorised at Doomben, Stewart took on the dash from Doomben and made his Toowoomba engagement with minutes to spare, an effort which culminated with a victory aboard the aptly named Ongoing Venture which gained him the treble that put him in the record books.
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Kudos are in order to for Rockhampton based trainer Fred Smith whose runner Motorised gave Brad Stewart the middle leg of his historic treble.
Bringing a horse from Rocky to a Saturday meeting in town means a trainer has to have great confidence in his horse and also in his own ability to place the horse correctly in a particular contest.
The record book now show that punters gave neither the horse nor the trainer the respect they deserved as Motorised started unwanted in the betting at $26 before proving too strong for his rivals in a pressurised finish.
"I was very keen to stay on Motorised. It was the priority for the day. Others fitted in around them,” said Stewart, of a horse that has now won two out of three this preparation, taking his overall haul to eight wins from twenty-five starts.
He won’t be underestimated again.
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Geoffrey Goold was champion apprentice in Toowoomba in 2011/12 and champion apprentice at the Sunshine Coast in 2012/13 yet he has continued to fly under the radar in terms of receiving wider recognition for his talent and achievements.
Not that Goold is complaining. "When I started my aim was to just out-ride my 4kg (country/provincial) claim," Goold said.
Last Wednesday he moved far beyond his initial goal when out-riding his 3kg metropolitan claim when getting Who Will’s head down in a tight finish to secure his twentieth metropolitan win.
Then on Saturday, his last day with a full allowance, Goold turned in yet another an exemplary ride to guide Little Brown Horse to victory, prompting the trainers husband Gary Doughty to shower the rider with praise.
Goold has not taken the regular route to a career in the saddle. He is thirty-one years old. He has diploma in animal husbandry.
That maturity in years and experience helps his cause and with a proud partner in Emma, and two young children offering him a strong support base he is well within his rights setting loftier goals than he first envisaged might be within his grasp.
Goold says he is ‘over the moon with how things have gone.’
Chances are, with the way he is performing, he is about to get more exposure … and with exposure comes more opportunity.
All credit to him for earning it.
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SHORTS:
*Damian Browne returned from suspension to turn in his usual competent ride in bringing the Stuart Kendrick trained Mavro home to victory. (Eagle Farm - Jan 15).
*The Frank Phillips trained Simply Chanel smashes the opposition when winning by seven lengths (Eagle Farm - Jan 15).
*Maracoola gives Tegan Harrison her twenty-second metropolitan winner of the season which takes her level with Aiden Holt in the Apprentices Premiership. Maracoola’s win also extends Matthew Dunn’s lead at the top of the Trainers Premiership. (Eagle Farm - Jun 15).
*Grayson Square gives a welcome back victory to trainer Brian Wakefield. It was Wakefield’s first city winner since March 2013 and came off the back of a very tough time for both the trainer and the stable. Wakefield suffered a badly broken leg in October a motorcycle crash and his recuperation period coupled with decreased horse numbers in the stable has been a testing time, both personally and professionally. It was good to see him back in the winners’ enclosure. (Eagle Farm - Jun 15).
*Tim Bell brings home the first two winners on the card to get within three wins of Jockeys Premiership leader Michael Cahill. Cahill responds by bringing River Lad home in the next race to extend his lead. (Doomben - Jan 18).
* River Lad oozed class to manufacture a win in difficult circumstances. The Natalie Macall trained runner was first-up after a six month layoff, he had never won at the track before and, according to jockey Michael Cahill, wasn’t comfortable on the circuit but he managed to grind out his eleventh career success under the big impost of 60.5kg and in the process earn a trip to Sydney for a shot at the Group 2 Expressway Stakes. That will be the first time that Macall takes a runner to Sydney. (Doomben - Jan 18).
*Beware the in-form stable. The John, Dan and Chris Meagher training partnership has really fired up in recent times. They have claimed six wins from their last twenty-three starters (26%) and Rojo Grande added their latest win with some aplomb at the juicy odds of 10-1. (Doomben - Jan 18).
*Michael Hellyer brings home a race to race treble at the Gold Coast. Unfortunately that stat gets smothered by the publicity rightly given to Brad Stewart for his outstanding achievement on the day. Still a great effort! Well worth the reprimand he received for his celebratory gesture when winning race 6. (Gold Coast - Jan 18).
*Skye Bogenhuber keeps her sterling record at Toowoomba on the move with a double at the track. Former boom apprentice Brent Evans also features amongst the winners. (Toowoomba - Jan 18).
*Good to see the Gill racing colours amongst the winners at Caloundra. Trainer Barry Gill took out the first race with the $26 chance Sandiata Flyer. When Bell’s Express won the last, trained by Jack Casey, it meant that Gympie trainers had book-ended the meeting. (Sunshine Coast - Jan 19).
*Biggest upset of the day at Caloundra was the win of Quiet Collect for trainer Carolyn Hickey. Quiet Collect started at $41 (paid $55.90 on the tote). That result was a major factor lifting the Quaddie dividend to a massive $32 657.30. (Sunshine Coast - Jan 19).
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STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACTS:
All riders, good or bad, go through different phases of good and bad times but Maija Vance has had a particularly interesting 2014 thus far. On January 4, she was fined the $400 for returning to scale in excess of 1 kg over her declared weight when finishing a close-up second aboard Star Sammy. She then picked herself up and repaid the faith trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith showed in her by piloting Commandare to victory on Magic Millions day (January 11), gaining the distinction there of being the only apprentice and the only female rider to ride a winner on the Gold Coast’s marquee day. The follow up, from that high, has not been good as can be gauged from this week’s steward’s report extracts.
Apprentice M. Vance, the rider of FAITH'N'COURAGE, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR. 137(a) in that near the 1000m she permitted her mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of RIGHT ROUND (C. Munce), dictating that runner in on to the running of GOLD COPY (M. McKenzie), resulting in GOLD COPY having to be checked and losing ground when tightened for room between DYSFUNCTION (K. Matheson) and RIGHT ROUND. Apprentice Vance's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 meetings, to commence at midnight on Wednesday 22 January and expire at midnight on Friday 31 January 2014. (Eagle Farm Jan 15 - race 8).
M. Vance, rider of ROBERT'S COMMAND, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that near the 900m she permitted her mount to shift in, forcing OUTBACK BIFF (G. Geran) on to FEISTY LADY (A. Fancourt), resulting in FEISTY LADY being tightened onto VALS BOY (C. Schmidt) and having to be checked. M. Vance was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 31 January, the expiration of a careless riding charge incurred at Eagle Farm on Wednesday, 15 January, and to expire at midnight, 12 February. (Ipswich Jan 17 – race 3).
On return to scale a protest was lodged by M. Vance, rider of the 5th placegetter, PEELINGS, against PETERHOF (B. Appo) being declared 4th, alleging interference after leaving the 300m. After taking evidence from the parties concerned and viewing the patrol videos, stewards found that after leaving the 300m a run presented itself between EUPHONIC (P. Schmidt) and PETERHOF (B. Appo), however in the opinion of the stewards PEELINGS had not established itself between those 2 runners, and the protest therefore was subsequently dismissed and correct weight was semaphored on the Judge's placings. After passing the 200m, PEELINGS persisted in attempting to take a run between EUPHONIC and PETERHOF where there was insufficient room and as a consequence laid in and made contact with EUPHONIC, which became unbalanced near the 150m. (Doomben Jan 18 - race 5).
Stewards sought an explanation from App. A. Allen and Trainer L Rowe as to the reason RADIANT JOY led in today's event. App. Allen said that he had not been given any specific instructions. App. Allen stated that due to the distinct lack of pace in the event the mare was able to find the lead of its own accord and without being pressured. Trainer L Rowe confirmed that he had not issued any specific instructions to either rider of horses trained by him. (Rockhampton Jan 16 – race 3).
Stewards sought an explanation from App. A. Allen regarding his riding and tactics on EQUABLE. App. Allen stated that due to the perceived lack of pace and having in mind the wide barrier draw, he was instructed to be positive and obtain a forward position if possible. However, when runners to his inside held their ground and he was going to be caught quite wide and therefore elected to go forward and obtain the lead. App. Allen also stated that in his opinion the gelding performed better when ridden off the pace. The explanations were noted. (Rockhampton Jan 16 – race 5).
Following the running of this race, T. Bell reported that he had suggested to trainer G. Heinrich CONFIDENT STAR would be better suited in races over shorter distances and may benefit from the addition of blinkers. (Doomben Jan 18 – race 7).
M. Speers the rider of I SMARTICUS pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR137(a) for permitting his mount to shift in near the 900m when insufficiently clear of RUN FOR EVER (App M. McKenzie), causing that runner to clip the heels of I SMARTICUS and blunder. M. Speers was suspended from riding in races for a period of eight (8) meetings to commence midnight 19 January 2014 and to expire midnight 31 January 2014. Following this incident a veterinary examination of I SMARTICUS revealed the gelding to have sustained a severe laceration to its near hind leg consistent with being galloped on. (Gold Coast Jan 18 – race 1).
The start was delayed when LANIKAI MISS dislodged jockey A. Pattillo in the mounting yard and escaped from its handler for a short time. Jockey Pattillo was injured in this incident and unable to fulfil his engagement. (Gold Coast Jan 18 – race 4).
Apprentice M. McGillivray, the rider of ALWAYS THINKING, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR. 137(a) in that near the 800m he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of OUTBACK LASS, which was tightened for room and taken in on to HANDFUL OF SILVER (N. Evans), which in turn was tightened for room and forced to shift in, severely tightening the running of DARYL'S RUN, which was forced to check. As a result, ROCKIN RILEY (R. Payne) and POCILLO, which were following DARYL'S RUN, both had to be checked. Apprentice McGillivray's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 meetings, with the term of suspension to commence at midnight on Saturday 18 January and expire at midnight on Monday 27 January 2014. (Toowoomba Jan 18 – race 1).
Stewards questioned jockey R. Goltz in relation to his riding of WILL'S CHOICE in the home straight. Of particular concern to Stewards was that when a run presented between HI MACKAY (S. Bogenhuber) and FEELIN' FIESTY (M. Gray), jockey Goltz failed to take advantage of that run and shifted wider to the outside of FEELIN' FIESTY to obtain clear running in the home straight. Jockey Goltz said he was instructed to avoid racing on the fence if possible and to try and get to the outside of runners as the horse has a tendency to resent racing inside other runners and therefore was reluctant to improve between HI MACKAY and FEELIN' FIESTY, which in his opinion did have a tendency to lay in marginally. Trainer P. Hulbert confirmed the instructions given to jockey Goltz and stated that three runs ago at Doomben on 31 August 2103 the colt encountered significant interference from other runners on that day and as such in its races and jump-outs subsequent to then has raced field shy when amongst other runners. Mr Hulbert advised that for today's event he removed the blinkers from WILL'S CHOICE and instructed jockey Goltz to if at all possible during event attempt to obtain clear running to the outside of other runners in the home straight. Stewards noted the explanations. (Toowoomba Jan 18 – race 1).
Apprentice T. Brooker (MURPHY'S PROSPECT) was questioned regarding the manner in which she rode her mount out in the home straight, especially her apparent lack of vigour on the horse. After hearing submissions from apprentice Brooker, Stewards advised her that this ride would be referred to the Racing Queensland Riders Review Panel for their attention. (Toowoomba Jan 18 – race 2).
Stewards inquired into an incident near the 200m which resulted in jockey K. Yoshida being dislodged from his mount SINGA'S LADY. After taking evidence from jockey Yoshida and jockey N. Tomizawa, the rider of PRECIOUS DRAGON, Stewards found that at a point near the 200m SINGA'S LADY had a tendency to lay in when jockey Yoshida attempted to shift that runner to the outside of the heels of PRECIOUS DRAGON, which at the same time shifted out very marginally. Whilst Stewards noted that the incident was one of significance, they were unable to apportion fault to jockey Tomizawa in terms of him riding in a careless manner and as such no direct action was taken. (Toowoomba Jan 18 – race 7).
M. Speers, rider of GLEN ROCK, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that he directed his horse out leaving the 300m when not sufficiently clear of KWABOY (C. Munce), resulting in C. Munce, rider of KWABOY, having to take hold to avoid the heels of GLEN ROCK and losing ground and his position at that stage. M. Speers was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 31 January, the expiry date of a suspension incurred yesterday at the Gold Coast, and to expire at midnight, 12 February. (Sunshine Coast Jan 19 – race 4).
Trainer C. Hickey was questioned regarding the improved performance of QUIET COLLECT. Miss Hickey stated that after the mare fell on 18 December at Doomben she was required to give the horse a brief spell and as a result was obliged to start the horse over a less than favourable distance of 1200m at its most recent start. She added that the distance of today's event was more suited to the horse's racing pattern and as such anticipated an improved performance. Stewards noted the explanation (Sunshine Coast Jan 19 – race 7).
Stewards questioned M. McKenzie, rider of TOUCH A STAR, regarding his tactics during the early stages when after beginning well was positioned outside the leader DETER, and he restrained the gelding to position midfield and 3 wide. He explained that he attempted to secure a position behind DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE, which had initially trailed DETER, however at this point of the race DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE also commenced to steady and as such he was unable to secure a position closer to the fence. Stewards advised M. McKenzie that he had erred in overly restraining at this point of the race, which resulted in TOUCH A STAR losing valuable ground, however given his status as an apprentice took no further action. (Sunshine Coast Jan 19 – race 7).
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INTO THE RQ COFFERS:
Finally a look into the Racing Queensland “fines” collection box where the takings seem to be coming in a little bit more consistently than they are on many punters worksheets. Of course no dues have to be paid if no indiscretions occur but this is the record for the year so far.
2014:
Week 1 (January 1 – 7) $1600.00
Week 2 (January 8 – 14) $1900.00
This week (January 15 – 21) $1600.00
The fines for the week.
From Rockhampton:
Track work rider E. Buonanova $100 - smoking while mounted on a horse at LR 51
From Doomben:
Race 4. Tim Bell - Jockey - Use whip 6 times prior to 100m - $300 - AR137A(5)(a)(ii)*
Race 6. Ashley Butler - A/jockey - Celebratory gesture - $200 - AR137(c)*
From Gold Coast:
Race 3. M. Speers - Jockey - Overweight - $100.00 - AR120(b)
Race 4. L. Wheeler - Trainer - Late rider - $100.00 - LR67
Race 6. Matthew Palmer - Jockey - Overweight - $100.00 - AR120(b)
Race 7. S. Drake - Jockey - Failed to fulfil engagement - $100.00 - AR85(B)
From Toowoomba:
Race 1. App. L. Tilley - $100 - fail to claim down to riding weight - AR. 92(12)
Race 5. Tnr. G. Betros - $200 - fail to notify change of tactics - AR. 135A
From Sunshine Coast
Race 5. Wayne Nugent - Trainer - Late gear change - $300 - .AR140B(2)*
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