THE SUNSHINE COAST NEWSPAPER COLUMN - RQ EXPLAINS RATIONALE BEHIND CARNIVAL REVIEW

By Graham Potter | Sunday, October 12, 2014

Graham Potter writes a weekly column for the Sunshine Coast daily. Due to demand from those having trouble accessing the paper these columns are now also published on HRO courtesy of the Sunshine Coast daily.

This particular column is a direct sequel to HRO blogger David Fowler’s commentary and questioning of Racing Queensland on the matter of possible changes to the Winter Carnival.

In his personal blog, My Call, on HRO, Fowler stated, ‘So many participants and general racing enthusiasts are totally puzzled why RQ wants to shorten the carnival and swap dates here, there and everywhere’ … after which he posed the question, ‘Why deny Queensland racing as many good days as possible? Why?’

This column deals with Racing Queensland's response to Fowler's question.

There has been talk in recent weeks, which has irked many in the racing fraternity, about the perceived push by Racing Queensland to shorten the Winter Carnival.

Racing Queensland’s CEO Darren Condon’s view on the Winter Carnival issue challenges that perception.

“We never started out trying to shorten the carnival,” said Condon. “What we did do was take a decision to review major events.

"Looking at attendance across the carnival we’ve seen signs of days that weren’t working in certain areas so we had a look at that, in conjunction with discussions with the clubs, to see how we could make things work better.”

At the same time Condon did concede that he viewed the Queensland highlight to be, “a very, very long carnival” and that Racing Queensland wanted to get “for bang for the buck.”

“We are certainly not looking to disenfranchise our current supporters who are happy with the carnival set-up as it stands,” continued Condon, “but the facts are, sadly for racing, that number has been diminishing and we need to grow that following again and find a way to re-energise our product and, obviously, we have to look at that from a wagering perspective.

“So it should be understood it was not a case of how do we shorten the carnival and it was not about merely changing dates and programs.

"It was the undertaking of a full review of how we can improve the carnival and make it more marketable and attractive to both the participants and our customer market so that they all will want to be part of it.”

Condon went on to confirm the current state of play saying a proposal has been formulated by Racing Queensland regarding the carnival. That proposal was made available to race-clubs and the clubs’ input on the matter has been received.

“There are other parties involved. Sponsors obviously play a big part in what happens but we are now back to a situation where we can talk to participants … that is key participants both locally and interstate … and see how the proposal suits them,” added Condon.

When that consultation process is completed, the final draft will be taken to the RQ Board. At this stage that is not due to happen until late October.

Doubtless Condon’s explanation will run the gauntlet of satisfying some while provoking others … but his final message was both ambitious and unambiguous.

“The bottom line is we have to create a product that is more compelling while at the same time looking how we can make the carnival nationally, and potentially internationally, more significant.

“I believe there is significant opportunity to do that … but we won’t if we don’t change!”

So there it is, for the record and in the interests of clarity, the lie of the land regarding any proposed changes to the Winter Carnival and the ‘negotiations’ that have gone on regarding this matter in recent times … from Racing Queensland’s perspective.

Now we just have to wait for the final outcome.

Then we can worry about which racetracks will be allocated carnival races next year given the false start on the on the Eagle Farm works project.

But that’s another story.

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