SEVEN DAYS (THE WEDNESDAY REPORT): THE WEEKLY REVIEW (FEBRUARY 19 - FEBRUARY 25) - PART A

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, February 26, 2014

HRO's news feature - SEVEN DAYS (THE WEDNESDAY REPORT) - provides a weekly review of racing activity, both on and off the track. Due to the on-going positive response this feature has received it has been expanded into two parts (A) & (B)

THE PRIDE OF QUEENSLAND:

The was no Queensland runner in the $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes but Queensland was a clear winner courtesy of the perfect ride by the Sunshine Coast based gun rider Damian Browne.

After a series of big race successes down south this season Browne is now being acknowledged country-wide as one of the best jockeys in the land. I guess, in his own way, for too long Browne has been one of Queensland’s best kept secrets and it is a little bit amusing to now find that his expertise in the saddle has got racing experts in Sydney and Melbourne purring his praises.

What they are just discovering Queensland punters have already enjoyed for some time.

The problem that creates for Browne now is that the demand for his services is likely to increase tenfold the further we get into the big carnivals in the southern states.

Whereas before he was pretty strict on limiting his ‘away’ game schedule, the range and quality of the offers likely to be put forward now might be too tempting to resist, particularly given the potential, lucrative, financial rewards that await, so there is a danger that Australia’s gain might be Queensland’s loss, in the short term at least.

Whatever the outcome, Browne certainly deserves every success that come his way!.

Yeah, I know Browne is a Kiwi born. That doesn't mean he can't still be the pride of Queensland!

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

ON HONOURING THE COMMISSION’S FINDINGS:

Three million dollars! That is the reported cost of the latest Queensland Racing Commission of Inquiry whose long list of recommendations are now on the table for government consideration.

One of those recommendations is finding some particular traction as it relates to the present time and not past activities, namely, in the words of Commissioner White, ‘the chairman of the All-Codes board should not be chairman of one of the three boards that sits under the All-Codes.’

As is well documented, Kevin Dixon position as chairman of the All-Codes board and chairman of the Thoroughbreds board is at odds with the Commissioner’s recommendation.

Now, after spending $3 million I wouldn’t have thought anyone had the luxury of being picky over what findings they would like implemented and what findings should be ignored.The expensive exercise was either a successful endeavour or a futile one.

It is hard to find any evidence to support any theory that Commissioner White knew what she was doing on the one hand and missed the mark on the other so all of her recommendations need to be taken very seriously.

In that context events have arguably already transpired as an opportunity missed by Racing Queensland officials to show stakeholders that they indeed have the well-being of participants rated above their own ambitions.

The Racing Minister’s support for Dixon to hold both positions until 2015 on the basis that the industry needs stability at this time and to change the model now would somehow destabilise racing life as we know it is misplaced. His response also elicits a real concern as to his grasp of the situation in the field.

Dixon’s in-house vote of confidence from fellow board members was hardly surprising given the Racing Minister’s lead.

If Dixon were to lose the top job he would still be an enormously influential figure in his retained position as chairman of the Thoroughbred’s board where he can continue to work hard for the cause.

Personally, I have no gripe with Dixon as an administrator or as an individual. To me you have to take the individual identity out of it, not make it personal (which is where so much goes wrong in Queensland Racing), look at the overall motivation for the Commissioner’s recommendation and then weigh up the overall advantage that any decision might bring to the industry in the state.

On that basis, how could you not go with the recommendation?

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

ON SELECTING THAT ‘INDEPENDENT’ CHAIRMAN:

But wait … there’s more!

It is also important to shift focus to who might be appointed in his place should the commissioner’s recommendation ever be implemented with regard to the chairman of the All Codes Board.

Certain names have been bandied about by some who think a particular identity should be a ‘shoe-in’ for the position but whatever happened to the good, old, democratic process of selection where a person is voted into a position and is then, in theory at least, a servant of those who put them into power and accountable to them for his or her actions.

Now we all know that is a not a perfect system. But neither is this, ‘let’s appoint somebody’ business.

In fact the latter has more potential flaws … like being open to favour and prejudice … than the former!

So, to me, redefining the model to incorporate an independent All Board’s Chairman is one thing. But how that position is filled is equally, if not more, important.

Remember, part of Commissioner White’s conclusion was the need to ‘break the destructive cycles of the past.’

The most destructive of all was having a board that was only responsible to the racing minister who referred all issues brought to him by stakeholders back to the board as it was ‘a racing matter’.

That’s what happened with issues like the cushion track at Toowoomba … and we will be in that ballpark again if the majority of licensees are left out of having a say in the power broking process.

In essence, through all the mix of innuendo and intrigue, this period still remains a time of opportunity.

If only Racing Queensland would seize it!

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

WHY A THREE CODES BOARD IN THE FIRST PLACE?

I really have a very simplistic view on this.

I don’t believe one code should ever be asked to prop up another code to its own detriment and to the detriment of the industry as a whole.

All codes should stand on their own and survive as best they can according to their means.

That would allow those who are better off to invest more in their own business as they look to emphasise and build their particular brand and make it more attractive to a larger audience.

It will force those who are marginal to find a way to do things better and those who are a dead weight to the industry would have to manufacture a new lease of life somewhere or face the reality of their position in the world where the walls are closing in on many businesses on a daily basis.

A harsh call?

Absolutely, and I certainly don’t make it with any pleasure. I know there are faces and families struggling out there who deserve better but it is what it is and it would do nobody any good denying the gravity of the situation.

Racing needs to consolidate where it is strong as it fights the battle of its life
.
*****************************************************************************************************

STEWARDS UP AGAINST IT:

The appointment of Alan Reardon as Chief Steward did not surprise anybody. He now heads a Stewards panel which is up against it on three fronts. (See separate article in blog section of this site).

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

SHORTS:

The often maligned Bobby El-Issa … once outed for two years and then banished to the bush for a further period of time … is growing a successful working relationship with the Tony Gollan stable who have supplied the rider with his last four winners. Who would have thought El-Issa would play a part in a Premiership in his first season back in town. He is doing that right now as Gollan firms to favourite for the Brisbane Trainers’ Premiership.

Such was his high profile a season or two ago that it can sometime seem that Chris Munce is not doing so well these days. That’s not true. Sure it’s not the stellar season with one hundred plus winners that he once so famously enjoyed , but a quick glance at the statistics will confirm he still holds a place in the top tier on the Metropolitan leader-board.

When you arrive at a meeting and its start is delayed because the scales in the weighing room have ‘blown up’ you know you are in for a long day. That’s what happened at Kilcoy. Only after a well-used replacement scale was commandeered from a factory operated by Searle’s Garden Products was the meeting back on track. It was always going to be a sure bet that nobody would be told they weighed in light or heavy on the day! (Kilcoy - Feb 20).

Racegoers at Kilcoy could not remember ever seeing the track so dry and dusty … and there is a problem. It is believed that the club used to have access to some waste water from a neighbouring business to help with watering the track but, following a complaint that the water might cause sickness, the town council put a stop to that arrangement, leaving Kilcoy high and dry, so to speak. As a consequence the track for their latest meeting was hard and the dust factor was pronounced. (Kilcoy – Feb 20).

Credit Kilcoy for giving a race meeting review on the club’s website. A case of a small club showing up some bigger clubs on the news feed front. (Kilcoy – Feb 20).

The Andrew Williamson trained Straight Shooter ($7.50) did enough to see off the $2.40 favourite Man Of Merit in the sixth race at Kilcoy … but that was not the end of his moment in the sun. Instead of slowing down and being pulled up with the rest of the field, Straight Shooter took off again with the three kilo claiming apprentice Tiffani Brooker struggling in the saddle. Most patrons only became aware of the fact that Straight Shooter had completed another circuit of the track at full gallop when they heard hooves pounding again down the home straight. Straight Shooter slowed as it crafted a path between runners still returning to the unsaddling enclosure until it found itself heading for the outside rail with Brooker bouncing around in the saddle. One hundred metres pass the post that journey ended as Brooker slipped off the horse and landed on the turf, lying there for some moments before sitting up. Apparently she wasn’t hurt, just exhausted … and now we know Straight Shooter might like it further! (Kilcoy – Feb 20).

Trainer Stuart Kendrick edged further ahead of rival Len Treloar in the chase for the Sunshine Coast Trainers’ Premiership when Turvanna saluted in the first on Friday night. Kendrick, who is no stranger to Premiership wins with multiple Mackay titles to his name, now leads Len Treloar by three wins (15 to 12) while Liam Birchley, a name you would not normally associate with the Sunshine Coast, is lurking in third spot on eleven wins. (Sunshine Coast – Feb 21).

Still on Friday night, there is no question that half-an-hour between races is exactly the right timeframe in which to schedule races. While those charged with that responsibility work to their own agenda, the half hour factor is one that really should be pushed by race-clubs and participants who actually put on the show. It’s a nice fit for everyone. (Sunshine Coast – Feb 21).

This is going to be a gripe that is likely to be heard many times throughout the year if the positioning of function sites or the levels of acceptable behaviour at such sites is not addressed by some race-clubs. We have told ad nauseam that the clubs now have to cater for a new, ‘party’ customer in a scenario where the role of the racehorse is largely diminished. But let’s keep some perspective and respect. Like it or not, we are still on a racetrack and horses are involved so to have host of functions suddenly shouting into a microphone right next to the parade ring (as it was at the Sunshine Coast) or to have music blaring out at inappropriate times or to allow general raucous behaviour which has the means to upset horses … well that’s just not on anywhere in close proximity to the mounting yard. If the function setting is too difficult to relocate at racetracks where this function setup applies, patrons should at least be made aware of responsible behaviour criteria as it pertains to them when horses are in the ring or racing. You can’t blame the customer if they don’t know any better. Race-club officials do know better and they should attend to their responsibility where required before the accident that is waiting to happen actually occurs. (Sunshine Coast – Feb 21).

It can take a fairly delicate touch to get a headstrong two-year-old filly to back up and land consecutive wins in an eight day period. Noel Doyle clearly has that touch and his charge Aimee, who did just that, is now two from four and clearly on the way up. (Eagle Farm – Feb 22).

Tony Gollan and Matthew Dunn continue to lock horns at the top of the Trainer’s Premiership table. Both added to their respective tallies on Saturday with Gollan scoring with Trakstar (at $1.55 the shortest priced favourite on the card) and Dunn claiming victory with Beach Babe at the juicy odds of $9.50. Beach Babe was winning for the third time in her last four starts. (Eagle Farm – Feb 22).

Michael Cahill continues to quietly keep his leader-board score moving. Another double on Saturday (aboard Senta Desert and Beach Babe) moved him to 39 winners, ten clear of a cluster of riders including Time Bell, Glen Colless and Chris Munce (all on 29 winners) with Jim Byrne just a further half-a-win behind that. (Eagle Farm – Feb 22).

The Joe Pride trained Tiger Tees sure knows how to land a knockout punch in a free-for-all brawl. The six-year-old, who was first-up after a four month layoff, got his nose to the line first in a pressurised, multi-horse, blanket finish, just as he had done in oh so similar circumstances when he saluted in the Group 3 BRC Sprint during the carnival in a previous visit back in May 2012. Always good to have the ability. Even better to have the will to win. On this occasion Tiger Tees once again satisfied both of those criteria. (Eagle Farm – Feb 22).

The ‘Dan Griffin’s Back’ Two-Year-Old QTIS Maiden Plate at the Gold Goast was won by … well, Dan Griffin. Griffin piloted Deuced to a narrow victory for his old boss Gillian Heinrich in the first on the card, just seeing off Be The Magic, who threatened to spoil the party. Griffin, who had not seen race action for fifteen months since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a three-horse fall at the same venue in November, 2012, finished second and unplaced in his two other rides on the day as he eased himself back into the race riding scene. (Gold Coast – Feb 22).

It is a long way to go to Roma, but if you come back with three wins from the five races it makes the trip all worthwhile. That’s the result apprentice Leslie Tilley achieved on Saturday, saluting aboard Kung Fu Kitty ($7), The Robber ($6) and Olympia’s Flame ($3). (Roma – Feb 22).

Ric McMahon’s audition for Cirque du Soleil was a master-class in agility, flexibility, strength and focus. On the basis of what he showed in his extravagant, surprise slip, bounce, twirl, slide, backflip, forward roll from the saddle as he brought the Nicki Harrison trained Vulcanic Dragon back to scale after its Maiden win, he should surely be in the running for the circus job if he ever needed it. One mystery remains though. How on earth did McMahon manage to get himself in that position? From the video it looked like McMahon merely lost concentration and came a cropper. Wait a minute. Perhaps that high wire circus role might not be a good idea after all! (Sunshine Coast – Feb 23).

Congratulations to Robert Heathcote. After landed a double on Sunday Heathcote now has a thousand winners in the bank which marks another hard-earned milestone in this multi-premiership winners’ career. (Sunshine Coast – Feb 23).

Craiglea Stud’s racing interests continue to provide a steady supply of horses to racing in Northern Queensland for mutual benefit to both the stud and the region it supports. The region welcomes Craiglea’s consistent supply of runners which helps boost their field sizes (at times Craiglea’s noms help save some individual races) while Craiglea have both targeted and established something of a strangle-hold on the QTIS races this season which boosts their return. Craiglea Platinum was their latest QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap winner at Townsville on Tuesday. (Townsville – Feb 25).

More articles