MY CALL - THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO LOWER THE ROSE COLOURED GLASSES AND TAKE IN THE REAL PICTURE
By David Fowler | Tuesday, March 18, 2014
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.
The Newman state government needs to take the rose coloured glasses off quick smart when it comes to the Queensland racing industry.
While the greyhound industry had bouquets galore thrown at it at its night of nights on Friday night, punters were dealt a blow with heavily-biased tracks at Eagle Farm and the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Someone should give Racing Minister Steve Dickson a gentle tap on the shoulder and remind him its punters that keep the racing wheel turning, not continued positive spin from George Street.
With provincial meeting status, Eagle Farm luckily escaped the full glare of the punters' attention but it was hard not to miss what was presented.
I approached the meeting from a form and betting point of view without too much trepidation.
Working on a dead 4 surface with the rail in the 10 metre position is not uncommon territory to be in.
A fine and warm day followed 15mils of rain in the last seven days and 20mils of irrigation for the same period. About 5mils of rain had fallen in 24 hour lead-up to race-day.
No problems there, right?
My concerns began to heighten when the times appeared even slow for a dead 4 track and the continual chop out of the turf in each race was clearly evident.
I think the jockeys found the "fast lane" by accident in race five when Scarborough and Captain Fastbuck made their runs together.
But when Rocco In The House sat wide and sailed down the outside rail in race six, my concerns, and many others, had risen considerably.
It was clear with the head on replays how the outside section of the track was barely marking compared to the chopped up inner part.
It got to beyond farcical when Glimmer was blocked for a run near the rail in race eight. The OUTSIDE rail that is!
Jockeys were bitter in their criticism. Punters threw the form-guide away. The form for the meeting is best forgotten.
But imagine if this had happened with a metropolitan status meeting.
Don't blame the BRC. Don't blame racecourse manager Sean Bridges. The track is stuffed!
Yet still there is silence from the state government in announcing a financial rescue package to makeover the track.
Everyone keeps saying it's going to happen. Eagle Farm has been left out of the draft racing dates paper for 2014-2015 which is ample proof that there will be a green light given soon.
But when?
Some say why keep writing about it. The answer is simple. This is an urgent problem that requires immediate attention, not one to have sitting pretty in the in-tray.
My mail is thoroughbred turnover has picked up again in recent weeks. The events that unfolded at Eagle Farm will ensure renewed confidence is short lived.
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The Gold Coast situation was more subtle.
I was tipped off on my way to Eagle Farm that the Gold Coast track might suit the "swoopers" because the protected inside part of the track was a lush growth.
Again, like Eagle Farm, it wasn't clearly apparent early but when Architect came from last out wide there were few who willing to argue that a biased surface had been presented.
Disappointingly, little was learnt from a similar situation during the Magic Millions carnival in January.
And, as is the case with the BRC and Eagle Farm, I have some sympathy for the Gold Coast Turf Club because they race close to 60 times a year.
However, shifting the rail back to the "true" and presenting a virgin surface against the rail is often fraught with danger.
We saw similar scenarios at Ipswich Cup days in years gone by.
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Plenty gave Sky Racing a kick up the backside for failing to realise the Gold Coast was our primary meeting on Saturday.
Both clubs kept their usual timeslots which flattered Eagle Farm and hindered the Gold Coast.
Those giving the serve were spot on.
But doesn't anyone at Racing Queensland or the Gold Coast Turf Club look at these sort of things before the meeting is run?
Food for thought.
Until next week.
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