THE SUNSHINE COAST NEWSPAPER COLUMN: RACING QUEENSLAND HITS ANOTHER SPEED BUMP

By Graham Potter | Sunday, July 16, 2017

Graham Potter writes a weekly column for the Sunshine Coast daily. Due to demand from those having trouble accessing the paper these columns are now also published on HRO courtesy of the Sunshine Coast daily.

A month and a half ago the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) rejected Racing Queensland’s application for renewal of their registration as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

The rejection, which was based on reasons of ‘non-compliance’, will have serious repercussions for the racing industry in Queensland if Racing Queensland (RQ) does not up its game and satisfy the necessary requirements.

RQ have appealed the decision and is ‘working with ASQA’ to address the situation.

Of course the obvious couple of questions to ask are ... how well has this particular department at RQ been travelling in the last twelve months and, secondly, is there a clue in the answer to the first question which might help stakeholders understand just how RQ found themselves in this alleged position of non-compliance in the first place?

Chances are the back story could be very interesting.

The decision to reject RQ’s renewal application was made on May 26 and its RTO status was scheduled to expire on July 12.

However, with an appeal having been lodged, the matter is now in the ‘pending’ tray ... and, by implication, so too is the future educational opportunities for those looking to secure a position in racing by way of formal study through the RQ Training options.

Once again it appears that RQ have to deal with an uncomfortable situation which arguably could have been avoided had the matter been given appropriate attention when it was required.

Reacting after the fact seldom has a good ring to it!

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The season has two weeks left to run but the Sunshine Coast Trainers’ Premiership has already been well and truly sewn up by defending champion Stuart Kendrick.

Kendrick can also be suitably proud of the fact that his two apprentice jockeys, Tiffani Brooker and Adam Sewell, will win the Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast Apprentice Jockey Premierships respectively.

The Sunshine Coast Jockey’s Premiership is likely to have a new name on the honour roll with Jeff Lloyd comfortably clear of Damian Browne.

Browne still has a mathematical chance to get there but that would take really special effort from the defending champion and Lloyd would have to falter, something he has shown signs of doing all season long.