MY CALL: RQ NEEDS TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE BOOKMAKER'S ON COURSE FIELDING INCENTIVE SCHEME

By David Fowler | Tuesday, August 2, 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.

Racing Queensland doesn't cover itself in any glory by fleeing the scene when it comes to race clubs and their on-course bookmakers.

Their On Course Fielding Incentive Scheme is on the way out. Importantly, it rebated clubs in lieu of on-course fielders paying a "fielding" or "stand" fee.

The punting of the scheme is one of the "nasties" in last year's Tracking To Sustainability report.

It's of considerable interest whether this decision was at management level or was given the green light by the recently-appointed Board who have not met twice.

Whoever the guilty party maybe, they've read the situation poorly.

And by their "cut and run" approach, it has set up a clash between race club and on-course bookmaker who in the natural scheme of things should be co-operating partners.

There is merit in an argument for a fee to be paid to the club to cover their expenses and there is an equally strong case why the bookies shouldn't be paying it.

The privilege of fielding at the track has diminished in stature year after year.

Let's face it, nowadays the on-course bookmaker stands at the end of the "first bite of the cherry" line.

And the racetrack marketplace is a shadow of its former self in numbers of people at the track apart from anything else.

TAB clubs would survive without bookmakers but a key incentive to go to the track would be lost in the process.

Country meetings with no TAB coverage will not survive if bookmakers hang up the satchel, indignant at the return of the fielding fee from their pocket.

Racing Queensland has created an unnecessary conflict with this short sighted decision.

To their credit, they have tweaked many parts of the Tracking to Sustainability document to achieve common ground and resolution.

They must revisit the On Course Fielding Incentive Scheme to keep that sort of camaraderie alive and kicking.

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I was concerned with the slow times posted at last week's Eagle Farm midweek meeting.

They bore no resemblance to a track elevated to a good 4 rating after the opening race.

And I've been kind in my evaluation, allowing for a lesser grade of horse and generally accepted slower tempo in midweek races.

The track itself played fair although wider positioned runners in the last two races were not disadvantaged.

Maybe even the converse was in play.

The slow times also present a predicament to the BRC in when race and class records are going to be established.

There was no argument that would be on hold in the "settling-in" period but it's almost two months since racing began on the new surface.

It's back to Saturday racing at 'the Farm this weekend with the rail at 2.5 metres after being out at nine at last Wednesdays midweek.

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The Brisbane Racing Club took a calculated gamble with their "Out At The Races" theme last Saturday.

Even in today's liberated environment, it could have backfired.

But the secret to the success of the day was moderation. It was fun but not over the top.

The BRC committee and staff are savvy in their approach to the promotion of their race days.

Take a look at their annual calendar and you'd be impressed by the diversity of promotions on offer.

And the "first" of anything is never an easy sell to sponsors or the public.

I'm certain Out At The Races will be a little bolder and a little sassier in 2017.

David Fowler