MY CALL - IT'S CONFIRMED. CHANGES TO THE MAKEUP OF THE WINTER CARNIVAL HAVE BEEN PROPOSED
By David Fowler | Tuesday, September 9, 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.
So a proposal to relocate the BTC Cup and Doomben Cup to April 25 next year IS on the agenda.
This blog, on August 19, revealed that both RQ chairman Kevin Dixon and RQ CEO Darren Condon denied, when questioned, this proposition being forwarded to an Australian Patterns Committee meeting.
Well, that’s technically correct as it didn't happen but as we discover today it is now part of two proposals presented to race clubs to breathe life into the Winter Carnival.
I have consistently rallied against changing the present format and today's revelations have only galvanised my stance.
One of the key planks in the criticism of the present schedule is that it is "too long", "needs to be shortened".
Let's examine that in light of these current proposals.
The Winter Carnival start is generally considered the Gold Coast meet on the first Saturday in May and the curtain closer is the Sunshine Coast fixture on the last Saturday in June.
Unless I have read it wrongly, the carnival will now kick off on April 25 and conclude on June 20.
Ah, that's the same time length if my maths is correct!
And are we to believe that the May dates will be three consecutive provincial meetings, Toowoomba, Gold Coast and Caloundra, before we head back to the city?
No Brisbane racing for a month?
Toowoomba to have a stand-alone Saturday?
Tattersall's Club to lose it Tatts Tiara to Oaks day?
Yes, interesting times ahead!
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The Hall Of Fame inductee section stole the show at Saturday night's RQ Thoroughbred Awards.
To see Tommy Dawson, 97, and Eve Stanley, 90, accept their awards of trainer and associate respectively, stirred a lot of emotion.
Danny Bougoure was also visibly moved by Falvelon's induction, joining his dad's champ Strawberry Road on the honour board.
Some misguided souls dismiss the Hall Of Fame concept as nostalgic guff or pandering to tradition.
Rather it's the recognition of people or horses who have performed above the level and proudly represented Queensland in the process.
If you witnessed the joy and emotion on the faces of Tom and Eve, you totally appreciate the significance of the concept.
Long may it continue.
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The final results generally create controversy.
I recently made mention in The Courier Mail that the Buffering-Spirit Of Boom choice for Horse Of The Year was the "best even money bet" you could imagine.
I was nearly right with 36-34 in favour of Buffering. Hellishly close to a dead-heat.
And many would claim Damian Browne deserved Queensland Jockey of the Year status ahead of Tim Bell.
Regardless, the night clearly illustrated it was a year where Queensland racing participants played a strong hand nation-wide.
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A thought for the future
In the 27 awards presented, not one for an owner.
Surely, this key participant in the business deserves some recognition.
Maybe next year?
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