MY CALL: THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2017 WILL BE A VITAL PERIOD FOR THE PRESENT RACING QUEENSLAND BOARD
By David Fowler | Tuesday, December 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 possible early state election next year has racing people quite jumpy.
And with good reason. Any change in government generally sees the industry's power base also altered.
Whether it's structural or in the personnel department, this is the last thing the industry needs now.
I repeat, the LAST.
The first six months of 2017 is extremely vital for the present Racing Queensland Board.
In fact, it will give the participants a real opportunity to form a report card on how well, or not so well, they are performing.
Reducing debt, deciding on infrastructure projects and being involved in a potential Tabcorp/Tattersalls merger are all big ticket items.
A return to power of the Coalition is a real possibility.
But even their biggest supporters surely wouldn't rally to petty party politics and see the current Board thrown out.
Political persuasions need to take a backrow seat this time.
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I was given the opportunity to meet the full Board last week in a social capacity.
What struck me was the amount of business savvy and success around the table.
And this brings me to a point I've been guilty of defending in the past.
We have to stop thinking that racing knowledge equates to the performance of a successful industry.
Time and time again this has failed.
Certainly there has to be racing input but too often self interest reigns supreme.
As outlined before, the next six months for this Board is crucial.
But in the words of the chair Steve Wilson, there are some "out of the box surprises" in the pipeline for the industry.
And this was meant in a positive way. Sounds interesting.
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So James McDonald has been disqualified for 18 months for "having an interest" in a bet.
I will allow for his stature in the riding ranks but as I've written here before, what's all the fuss about?
McDonald is an impressionable kid (and I know he is 24) who thought he was bigger than the game.
The backyard farm at Cambridge in New Zealand is a long way from the tough streets of Sydney where rising stars like McDonald get sucked in. Then spat out, just as swiftly.
It was clearly illustrated by the fact stewards warned him of their knowledge of the Anthony Gardiner association and he thumbed his nose at them.
Whether you like them or not, rules are rules, and McDonald is a silly kid by simply being caught.
There will be far less wealthy or capable jockeys riding today and having a bet and not being caught!
And tomorrow and the next day.
I'm sick of some portraying him as some sort of tragic hero or a martyr figure.
Hopefully, he will still have the skill and the enthusiasm when he grown up in 18 months time.
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GRAPEVINE: Is former Racing Queensland chairman Kevin Dixon about to take a position on the Toowoomba Turf Club committee?
The mail is strong.
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