The Queensland Trainers Association has been invited to sit at the table when the racing industry consulation process begins in August.

This consultative process has been been put in place by Racing Queensland acting CEO, Ian Hall and will allow for representatives of race clubs, QTA, ATA, jockeys association, Tattsbet, racehorse owners and other industry stakeholders to attend. All will be able to put their views forward on how to achieve a viable and vibrant industry that can live within its budget.

One of the hardest things for grass roots industry participants to come to grips with at present is how did the gaping “black hole” in Racing Queensland finances announced recently by Ian Hall actually occur.

Queensland Minister for Racing, Bill Byrne stated in parliament that RQ’s income projections were based on “rivers of gold” that didn’t actually exist.

Of course these “shock horror” announcements are in stark contrast to the industry hype and spin announced by Kevin Dixon when he disclosed the $4.5 billion 30 year product agreement signed with the Tatts Group in late June 2014. There was also an upfront payment of $15 million to help sugar coat the “deal of the century” which would lead racing in Queensland from the prizemoney wilderness.

Ian Hall has an obligation to all stakeholders to fully explain how this deal has failed to deliver the anticipated benefits to the industry.

He has made some preliminary announcements that betting turnover on racing in Queensland across all codes has been lower that what was initially projected.

The Queensland Trainers Association has asked for copies of figures to back up these assertions in order for stakeholders to determine what codes and racing precincts have had the largest impact on these turnover figures.

Tattsbet has not uttered one word publically as yet as to how they view any downturn in turnover.

Tatts Group were every slow out of the blocks with the launch of their much hyped, revamped UBET brand and we are very keen to hear what they have to say about their ability to compete and effectively market their brand in competition with other corporate bookmaking entities in Australia.

Just what is their overall marketing strategy that made them the standout candidate to receive an exclusive 30 year deal from Racing Queensland and what does their analysis conclude as to reasons for a downturn in betting turnover. Is it the “product” supplied by Racing Queensland or Tattsbet inability to compete in the market? Has Racing Queensland “backed the wrong horse? 

The TAB race clubs are effectively all franchisees in this corporate conglomerate which constitutes Racing Queensland and they are also often left in the dark when it comes to provision of key performance indicators. How many of the clubs have regular access to betting turnover information split by race club, week day, race times and race distances etc that they can use to benchmark their performances against all other clubs across the state?

We are lead to believe that Racing Queensland has all this information but it is rarely if ever downloaded to the “franchisees” or individual clubs. Therefore how can the clubs ever work towards improving the “product” if they don’t even have base line infromation to work with? 

There is a vast array of data sharing which is required before any talk of prizemoney cuts even touches the table.

The top down policies of the current Racing Queensland business model where it is assumed that the Deagon bunker is the font of all knowledge has to cease. The “secret squirrel” model of holding information in house and failure to share key financial performance indicators with industry stakeholders is a failed strategy.

A bottom up model has to be developed where there is much wider true consultation with industry on an ongoing basis.

Trainers and owners are the key drivers of the supply chain. They supply the “Product” (horses) to the frachisees (clubs) who then supply to Racing Queensland to on sell to Tattsbet to supply to the punter.

Racing Queensland has had difficulty in understanding its role in the supply chain and has failed to properly assist and supply the analytical tools to nurture a network of profitable franchisees (clubs) and trainers and owners over past years.

Now is the time to fix a broken model and stop a situation where Racing Queensland executives seem to operate as if they are running a Deagon based feifdom.

Sharing information and data is extremely powerful and empowering and that needs to start now.  

 

 

 

Since Bill Byrne, Queensland racing minister recommended the sacking of Queensland Racing all codes board Chairman Kevin Dixon and Chief Executive, Darren Condon there has been considerable debate in various circles about the fairness of his actions.

A number of Brisbane based trainers and journalists seem to be claiming that the actions were purely politically motivated and that neither sacking was justified.

Unfortunately some of the pro Dixon and Condon camp seem to have a very tentative understanding of the responsibilities which were attached to the positions which both men occupied within Queensland Racing.

Unfortunately both men were found to have erred in their ability to correctly oversee areas of corporate govenance covering all aspects of the three racing codes under their control.

One only has to look a little more closely at the Racing Queensland 2013/2014 annual report which was signed off by both men to gain an insight into the areas in which they failed in their duties.

On page 5 under the heading, “Our vision. Mission and Values” we see the following statements:

“We set the standard worldwide in the humane treatment of our animals and champion their welfare”

” Championing animal welfare – Expand welfare education programs and further develop guidelines for breeding, training and competition. Increase intelligence capability and share information with other welfare groups.”

“Upholding integrity – ensure the Queensland racing industry operates with integrity at all times. Build our intelligence capability and strengthen our grip on non compliant activity.”

When it came to the greyhound industry it appears these men could talk the talk but not walk the walk and their efforts to oversee the areas referred to in the annual report all came crashing down with the ABC 4 corners report on live baiting practices.

Whilst both men may have been passionate about thoroughbred racing their job responsibilities covered all 3 racing codes and and their efforts were seen to fall far short of what the Racing Minister deemed to be satisfactory.

Bill Byrne has installed Mr Ian Hall, from accountants KPMG as acting CEO of Queensland Racing and he has been given a brief to conduct a forensic analysis of the finances and procedures within the whole organisation in order to determine the true current state of play.

Dixon and Condon were widely touted as the saviours of racing in Queensland following their much publicised deal of the century with TattsBet in regard to the recently approved racing product and betting agreement.

Time will tell whether Ian Hall’s full analysis of current finances and future income streams from betting turnover come to the same conclusion for racing in Queensland.

In the interim the QTA congratulates Bill Byrne for his businesslike and methodical approach to separate out the “spin” and concentrate on the facts in order to ensure racing continues to thrive across all areas of Queensland.

 

 

 

The article below is NOT supported by the QTA, our name has been used, I hope accidently, as supporting the current Administration at Racing Queensland.

We believe RQ needs an urgent make over and we will continue to work towards this end.

Issue 360                                                         27th May,2015
Thoroughbred Industry Supports RQ Leaders…
Three of the major representative bodies of the thoroughbred industry are calling on the State Government to provide certainty for its future, by confirming the ongoing leadership of its management team.

The Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association (TBQA), Queensland Trainers Association and Magic Millions have joined forces to show their firm support for the existing Racing Queensland Board.

It follows the continued negative exposure involving the greyhound industry, and the furore around live-baiting, as well as the ongoing rumours and innuendo surrounding Racing Queensland’s hierarchy.

“We find it both alarming and offensive that the thoroughbred industry is being affected by this scandal,” said the President of both the TBQA and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, Basil Nolan.

“It is exceptionally frustrating to think that the very administrators who have been responsible for the complete rebirth of confidence within the thoroughbred industry in Queensland over the last 12 months are now being dragged down into the gutter as a result of a greyhound practice that has seemingly been going on for decades.

“We realise it is not possible to please all of the people all of the time, however it is very important to understand that contrary to what is regularly reported, there is an enormous amount of positivity across all sectors of the thoroughbred industry in this state.

“There is no question that optimism is directly attributable to the current Racing Queensland leadership team and the strong future they have provided for us.”

Trainers Association President Barry Baldwin said in more than 50 years of training, he had never had more clients wanting to buy horses or become involved in the industry.

“Prizemoney has never been at a higher level and all of this is as a result of the direction that Kevin Dixon and his team has taken us,” Mr Baldwin said.

“There is now a confidence there that had been missing for years and it is something we need to keep nurturing.”

Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox is adamant Queensland is now a racing state firmly on the move.

“The incredible improvements to QTIS, the substantial increases in prizemoney, a wonderfully revamped Winter Racing Carnival and a game-changing partnership with Magic Millions to host the richest raceday in Australia are just some of the reasons why the optimism within Queensland is at an all-time high,” Cox said.

“We have had a great relationship with Racing Queensland and it is one we are looking forward to continuing with in the future.”

These industry leaders are urging the State Government to look at the big picture for racing, its future viability and the strong role it can now play in the Queensland economy.

Very Interesting
The letter below was written by Dr Rosemary Craig MBBS FRACGP. It brings to light another perspective that surly needs further research.

“Hendra
Hendra is a viral zoonosis, identified in Australia, carried by the flying fox fruit bat, transmitted through horses to humans and dogs via respiratory secretions causing encephalopathy and mortality in humans. The benefit of hindsight in the context of an informed point of view reveals a simple and safe solution to address the public heath treat of Hendra.
In the human contacts there have only been documented male deaths, namely Vic Rail and Ray Unwin 1994. Mark Preston 1995, Ben Cunneen 2008 and Alister Rogers 2009.
On the other hand is the contrast of females survival of infection and female uninfected contacts. Margaret Preston 1995 (unaffected after assisting at the post mortem), another female vet at Gordonvale 2004 (unaffected), Natalie Boehm 2008 (vet nurse working with Ben, survived infection), Rebecca and Mollie Day 2010 (unaffected despite large viral load at their contact).
The population which comes in most regular contact with horses appears to be mainly females. Horse shows, adult riding clubs and pony clubs have predominantly female participants in excess of 80%, EA membership statistics have the capacity to quantify this observation more accurately. It appears that from population cohorts of those who have frequent and close equine contact, those who suffer the worst outcomes with Hendra infection are an atypical selection from the population at risk, namely the older males.
Bio security has been advised as vital in a voiding transmission to Hendra from horses to people however it appears from a simple survey of Google images that girls are far more likely to kiss a horse than a man so why are only men dying of Hendra?
It is evident in the history of Hendra that female humane contact appears to be significantly protected. Australian immunisation schedules have differed by gender. Females are given more doses of Measles vaccinations because of the Rubella risk during pregnancy. They are tested at each pregnancy, boosted again if necessary. The Rubella vaccine has only been presented combined with Measles and Mumps. The immunity transferred by Measles vaccination is most likely also provided protection against Hendra virus which is essentially a horse Measles, also named Equine Morbilliform Virus.
The Hendra virus is aggressive and destructive, consisting of a spherical capsule, like that of measles, containing its own genetic material, attaching to host cells, replicating itself using the host cell and then destroying the host. The molecular components of the capsule dictate its shape and provide receptors for the virus’s metabolic function, any of these can become antigens for the host’s immune system to identify and fight the virus. The equine Hendra vaccine is a subunit from the capsule, the G protein, manufactured using recombinant techniques so as to stimulate an immune response which is able to neutralize live virus on future contact. This differs the from human Measles vaccine which is an attenuated live vaccine providing multiple antigenic stimuli but not able to cause significant disease. It is likely that there are many antigens common to both human Measles and Hendra.
The vaccination of people born before 1966 for Measles may be deficient since they would have missed the implementation of the live vaccine for infants. The second dose of the MMR vaccine has only been recommended since 1992 and the vaccination of adults born since 1970 has been advised to be 2 doses only since 2000. The existing human Measles vaccination appears to be sufficient protection against Hendra however gaps in the vaccination population would need to be addressed.
It should be simple to both test this hypothesis and to implement Measles vaccinations for all at risk people who have contact with horses using the existing registered human vaccine. It is likely that this hypothesis was not evident without a combined medical experience in glycoscience and rural general practice in the luxury of hindsight. Vaccination remains the best management strategy against viral diseases. It is valuable to continue to vaccinate the horse against Hendra disease but in a calm, logical and sensible manner using evidence based strategies.
Regards from.
Dr Rosemary Craig
MBBS FRACGP
Coraki NSW 2471”
Dated 24th February 2015

Our president Jim Rundle held meetings in Townsville, Gordonvale (Cairns) and Atherton on the 3^rd and 4^th. Plus meeting up with others along the way.

The turnout was very impressive and those who attended clearly pointed out the many problems they are having.

The issues flowed from difficulties dealing with the local Race Club Personal to Racing Queensland.

The reduction in Race meetings and the pathetic level of Prize Money certainly copped a beating.

Jim is putting together a submission to present to the Minister for Racing Hon Bill Byrne who he meets with the week.

QTA members work on a volunteer basis, our plan is return as much of our membership money back into racing as possible. (More on this project later.)

It’s people like Rod Kidner from Pryde’s horse feeds that made the trip possible.

Rod arranged his work schedule to coincide with our meetings and his support and local knowledge is much appreciated.

Thanks heaps to Pryde’s Horse feed for their support.

Jim Rundle, President Queensland Trainers Association,  will be meeting with anyone interested in thoroughbred racing at the following location.

Townsville-  Sunday 3rd May 2015  9.30am Stuart Hotel

Cairns-  Sunday 3rd May 2015 Gordonvale Race track 6.30pm

Atherton- Monday 4th May 2015 9.30am race track Atherton.

A total of 116 selected yearlings have been catalogued for the 2015 Capricornia Yearling sale to be held at Rockhampton showgrounds, Sunday 12th April. Graduates from this sale will be eligibel to race in the 2016 Capricornia 2YO Classic with total prizemoney of $100,000 up for grabs. Many good quality horses have beeen paraded through the Rockhampton sales ring over the years, including the 2014 Stradbroke Handicap (Gr1) winner, River Lad.

River Lad actually won the 2010 Capricornia 2YO Classic and then returned the following year to also be the victor of the sales related Capricornia 3YO Championship. His carreer then continued to blossom culminating in his exciting Gr1 win last year under the tutelage of trainer Natalie McCall.

One colt sure to attract a high level of interest in the 2015 sale is Lot 15, the 3/4 brother to Our Boy Malachi, who has recently taken the Sydney racing scene by storm. Our Boy Malachi has an impeccable racing record winning 16 of his 18 starts, including the listed Razor Sharp Stakes at randwick in December 2014. Coincidently Our Boy Malachi is by the underrated stallion Top Echelon who is also the sire of River Lad

The overall quality of colts and fillies catalogued for the 2015 is exception for a regional yearling sale making this years offering one of the strongest in the sales proud 30 year history.

Stallions reperesented include, Al Maher (sire of 24 Stakes winners), Bradbury’s Luck (sire of Gr1 winner Luckygray), Choisir (sire of 63 SW), Jet Spur (sire sire of recent GR3 winner Mishani Honcho), Hidden Dragon (sire of Gr2 winner Hollowlea), Not A Single Doubt (sire of 22 SW), Oratorio(Ire) (sire of 42 SW), Real Saga (sire of 2014 GCTC Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Real Surreal), Written Tycoon (sire of Gr2 winner Howmuchdoyouloveme).

Freshman sires including Benfica (by Champion racehorse and now sire Lonhro), Love Conquers All (by Mossman), Moshe (Black Caviar’s winning full brother), Pluck (USA) (by champion sire More Than Ready), Sidereus (Gr2 Pago Pago Stakes winner), Trusting (multiple GR2 winner in Sydney) and Zoffany (Ire) (by champion European sire Dansili, sire of 95 SW) really add to the depth of pedigrees represented in this sale.

 

THE Central Queensland racing community is mourning the loss of Rockhampton Jockey Club committeeman, Col Donovan.

Donovan, 63, passed away yesterday afternoon after a battle with illness.

Well known as the managing owner of the “Rockhampton Rocket” Our Boy Malachi, Col was a popular figure who touched everyone that knew him.

Keep reading at the Rockhampton Jockey Club website »

Racing Queensland Integrity department has announced that a number of swab samples taken from 9 harness horses and 3 thoroughbred horses have had their B samples sent off for further testing.

Initial tests have come back showing Cobalt levels in excess of the allowed threshold.

The racing industry world wide has some concerns about the effects on race performance of horses which exhibit high cobalt levels in their system. Cobalt is available in small amounts in a number of commercially available feed supplements and some veterinary injectable reparations containing cyanocobalin (B12). However there are reports that some trainers have been feeding high doses Cobalt Chloride to horses in training. Cobalt chloride in itself is not an illegal substance but in high doses has the effect of being able to boost EPO levels, effectively increasing the oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells.

Excessive quantities of cobalt chloride can be toxic to a number of body organs including disruption of thyroid gland function.

Racing Victoria has also recently announced that high profile trainers Peter Moody, Danny O’Brien and Mark Kavanah have also had horses return elevated cobalt levels and further investigations are continuing.