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MY CALL - RACING QUEENSLAND'S CURRENT IMPERFECT LANDSCAPE LIMITS THE PATH MOVING FORWARD

By David Fowler | Tuesday, February 23, 2016

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 Gold Coast Turf Club needs to take a collective deep breath in their quest for night racing.

The Gold Coast is clearly the best Queensland location to make night racing work. By the proverbial mile.

But forget the half baked notion of running on Wednesday nights.

Wednesday is not a go-out night nor a strong gambling one. That novelty would soon wear off and the club would be left with a lemon.

Friday night racing at the Gold Coast is a no-brainer and could be promoted accordingly.

Say, half a dozen meets coinciding with Moonee Valley during the summer months.

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Now that's a perfect solution in a perfect world.

Alas the Queensland racing landscape is far from perfect and money is not easy to come by.

Talk of building a synthetic track to accommodate night racing is a nonsense.

And unless the club want to fund the lighting themselves, they can't expect a walk up start with Racing Queensland to grab the "readies"

There are several clubs of all codes still waiting frustratingly for infrastructure proposals to be funded.

Gold Coast must realise they don't operate exclusively in the racing industry.

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I've never seen a bigger "non story" than the "punters' strike" last Wednesday.

Incredibly it got media space. A couple of wannabes seeking cheap publicity with the knowledge it would achieve nothing.

In saying all of that, punters of all shapes and sizes need to be heard.

Maybe these publicity seekers would be better served forming an organisation to represent punters.

Their representations could then be forwarded in a meaningful manner to state or federal governments.

But no more "p..... In the wind" like last week's exercise.

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Interesting discussions at BRC headquarters this week.

My mail is the carve up of who gets what of the infield stables is high on the agenda.

Should be a robust discussion.

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Speaking of BRC, they get the big tick for Saturdays "Girls Day Out" promotion.

You're doing something right if you can get in excess of 6000 through the gate on a humid February afternoon.

It augurs well for a super Carnival during May and June when Eagle Farm is back on the roster.

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I'm wondering why Racing Queensland is intent on not sending on track bookies prices off course for certain meetings.

The month long trial in South East Queensland affects meetings when there is not a corresponding metropolitan meeting interstate.

Ipswich on Sunday was the latest victim with the three on track bookmakers prices unknown to the outside world.

No betting supervisor either.

It makes absolutely no sense to me. None at all.

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David Fowler
David Fowler
Queensland's Own www.horseracingonly.com.au Queensland's Best