MY CALL - RADICAL SHIFT IN BIG RACE FIXTURES DENIED
By David Fowler | Tuesday, August 19, 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.
A radical move to shift the BTC and Doomben Cup to April 25 next year as a feature double has been flatly denied by Racing Queensland heavyweights.
Fairfax Media reports yesterday suggested the move was on the cards and a likely starter on the Australian Pattern Committee's agenda this Friday.
"There is absolutely nothing going to the pattern committee this Friday from RQ so it's definitely incorrect," RQ CEO Darren Condon said.
Chairman Kevin Dixon expressed a similar sentiment when questioned.
The April 25 suggestion was to dovetail in a fortnight after The Championships at Randwick which is now likely to occupy the April 4-11 timeslots with the Golden Slipper a fortnight earlier.
Despite the strong denials, this blog only recently floated change was in the air for Queensland's Winter Carnival and the Doomben Cup was a hot target.
But April 25, understandably, it ain't!
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There was no major surprise in the much-awaited prize-money rollout announcement on Monday.
Its headline acts were a quantum leap for Saturday metropolitan prize-money and the greyhound industry finally getting the cash boost it deserves.
Nestled among those were more than modest increases across the three codes.
Queensland has always been a respected player in the national business but can now hold its head a little higher as a competitive force.
The increases are not just about improving the current financial climate but to serve as a carrot for increased participation.
The chance to run for around $40k to the winner on a Saturday rather than the present $28k is a great catalyst.
But this isn't the end of the road. Future growth will ensure further cash boosts in the years to come.
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There was some kerfuffle that the prize-money announcement appeared in News Ltd papers on Monday.
The Gold Coast Bulletin's Brad Davidson ran a story with the facts remarkably correct to what was announced later that day.
This apparently upset RQ but I have to go into bat for Davidson.
A key part of a journalist's craft is breaking stories before others using the contact base he or she has established.
If the RQ hierarchy want to look for scalps look for the leaker rather than shoot the messenger.
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You read it here first!
On June 17 I wrote …
‘What race should be rebadged to honour Wayne Wilson?
‘It's created plenty of discussion since his passing with the Eye Liner Stakes high up on the hit list. I wouldn't like to see Eye Liner lose her tag totally so maybe the Wayne Wilson Eye Liner Stakes. However there are sufficient Carnival races that could undergo a name change without too much fuss.
‘Personally, I'd like to see him honoured on Stradbroke day - his favourite race day - with the Spear Chief Handicap renamed the Wayne Wilson Mile. Just a thought. I think he'd like that.’
Suffice to say I'm delighted BRC took up the suggestion.
He deserves nothing less.
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