MY CALL: WAITING ON A PREDICTED, POSITIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FROM RACING QUEENSLAND
By David Fowler | Wednesday, August 16, 2017
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.
I'm predicting a sharp turnaround in Racing Queensland's financial fortunes.
And I mean sharp.
The financial wellbeing of the control body will become public at their forthcoming AGM.
It was always going to be a talking point after a $21 million loss was posted in 2015-16.
And the positive report should be acknowledged accordingly.
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It's very easy to take pot shots at controlling bodies like Racing Queensland and clubs like the Brisbane Racing Club.
Sadly simplistic.criticisms are borne out of a lack of understanding in how these organisations work.
Words can be certainly cheap. "More prizemoney," is shouted from the rooftops as if it grows on trees.
And I'm convinced many believe race meetings at Doomben and Eagle Farm just happen!
Like magic.
The BRC's precinct development will be a wonderful boon for the racing industry in the long term which is disappointingly ignored by those too eager to find a soapbox.
I'm not saying that RQ or the BRC should be immune from criticism but it's often worth considering the bigger picture before shooting one's mouth off.
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Some will be quick to say it's a bit rich for me to be making the previous comment considering the recent publicity about the future of Albion Park.
As the club'schairman, I would be derelict in my duty if I did not try to protect metropolitan racing.
As I have outlined, marginalising the industry by building new tracks in outer suburbs or provincial centres will be its death knell. Make no mistake about it.
Even if I did not hold the administrative position, I would fight until my last breath to keep harness racing's headquarters or "spiritual home" at Albion Park as I described it in Saturdays Courier-Mail.
I believe Racing Queensland is philosophically wrong.
It's a worthy debate. Worthy of public awareness hence our media strategy.
And my club is sensible enough to realise this issue is bigger than just stubbornly calling for racing to stay at the Creek.
The property needs a total makeover to start earning income outside of racing.
Racing Queensland and the Albion Park club both have a plan for its future.
Stakeholders and the general public are entitled to share in this debate.
Accordingly, we have shown our hand.
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On a broader front, I've also upset some of my thoroughbred friends by saying if there was a sale of Albion Park they can't expect a cut of the proceeds.
Too right they can't.
The Raceway was owned by the harness and greyhound industries when they were cajoled into merging with thoroughbred racing in 2010.
Racing Queensland is the custodians of these assets. How can they possibly say a sale which would create infrastructure monies should be shared by the WHOLE industry when the thoroughbreds never owned a sod of soil.
Give me a break.
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It might pay to watch the respective share prices of Tatts and Tabcorp in the forthcoming weeks and months.
Just saying!
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There are some good bets at the Mekka Raceday at Doomben today.
Tarzan ( race three ), Puzzling Wonder (race six), Cellargirl ( race seven ) and No Annomosity ( race eight ) will be very hard to beat.
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