MY CALL: FACTS WASHED AWAY IN TWITTER TORRENT BUT ONE POINT RAISED IS WORTHY OF CONSIDERATION

By David Fowler | Tuesday, September 27, 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.

A valid point was raised in the backlash to the comments I made on my RadioTAB Press Room programme yesterday.

I editorialised that a selection of punters wrongly believed they were entitled to information that should be the domain of owners and trainers.

A twitter torrent ensued after the website "punters.com.au" expressed displeasure with my remarks, even producing an op-ed piece that suggested I needed a "reality check".

Never let the facts spoil a good story and before you could say "beat up" the editorial and twitter traffic suggested I was against all punters and didn't believe young people in racing should have an opinion.

Anyone who remotely knows me can attest I have been a punter all of my life and mentored some of the best young talent in Australian media.

Conveniently overlooked in all this outrage was, and to quote word for word from my editorial, "of course the punter is important. He or she keeps the business going with their financial input, rolled over into impressive prizemoney figures"

Notwithstanding all of this, a point raised is more than worthy of consideration and debate.

Should a punter have a say in racing's administrative affairs?

Is there a spot on "the board?"

One thing I do know is that punters are a lot smarter than the boardroom boys give them credit for.

And they regularly stump up their hard earned cash, compared to some shrill voices who wax lyrical about turnover but wouldn't put their hand in their pocket.

The problem is who do you choose considering the wide range of participants that exist in the punting fraternity.

And within that fraternity is a wide range of diverse opinion.

So in principle it's probably correct but finding the right person is a mammoth task.

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Only a week ago, this column reflected on my time as a young punter in the seventies and eighties.

Maybe those who led Monday's twitter tirade should have a read.

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The much discussed Eagle Farm track crossed a significant line last Saturday.

The jockeys started talking it up for the first time. We'll call that a good win.

Another box ticked was faster times indicating the track continues to consolidate as the weather warms up.

It still seems to "tire" later in the day when jockeys are still navigating a wider path.

But as track manager Sean Bridges points out, "we're still at the 75% stage".

The rail goes out to 12.5 metres for next Monday's public holiday meet.

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I mightn't be able to pick a winner some days but I can pick a good racecaller.

Ben Hall made an outstanding on-air debut in Toowoomba on Saturday night.

For one reason or other, he's been kept in cotton wool.

Goodness knows why. I hope we hear more of him the future.

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GRAPEVINE:- Which two trainers are handing in their briefs to go and work for one of our leading stables?

David Fowler