MY CALL - 'GAZA STRIP' ANALOGY RECALLED

By David Fowler | Thursday, December 17, 2015

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.

Nudgee Road used to be cheekily described as the "Gaza Strip" separating the Queensland Turf Club (Eagle Farm) and the Brisbane Turf Club (Doomben).

Their amalgamation saw that quip put to bed.

But it could have easily been brought out of the cobwebs yesterday as Racing Queensland held their AGM at Eagle Farm while an industry meeting to discuss the present racing climate went underway at Doomben.

As RQ insisted the prizemoney cuts were necessary to prevent further continued losses, concern about the current RQ's performance and the industry's future poured out at Doomben with a series of keynote speakers.

Those who confidently predicted the Doomben rally would be a "Labor bashing exercise" or an "LNP witch hunt" got it so wrong.

By my reckoning, Bob Bentley got mentioned once during nearly two hours of speeches.

Ditto for Kevin Dixon.

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The caravan has sensibly moved on from the $19 million in prizemoney cuts.

That's a good thing.

Not to say it is still uppermost in many stakeholders minds, but the big picture thinkers are starting to lead the way, expressing concern about the structure of the incoming Board and the Racing Integrity Bill which will be debated in Parliament next March.

Yesterday's first three resolutions, passed unanimously, reflected this thought process

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Former QTC and BRC chairman Bill Sexton spoke powerfully to a motion of no confidence in interim CEO Ian Hall.

And this can be broadened to a general dissatisfaction with Racing Queensland's day by day performance.

The lack of talent is apparent, the bullying approach is relentless.

This is what needs to be heard by Government.

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Racing Minister Grace Grace has an excellent opportunity placed at her feet.

I believe she is more than aware of the groundswell of present dissatisfaction. Well if she isn't she should resign her brief.

But her public response that she will meet with key stakeholders is a step in the right direction.

In fact, there was no other alternative.

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GRAPEVINE

* A push for a return to three separate codes is overwhelming. Who can make it happen?

* What has happened to the Queensland Owners Association?

* A video has been taken to dispute the numbers at Wednesdays rally. Surely not?

* Has a high profile jockey had a brush with the law?

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