NEW GOVERNMENT SIGNALS CHANGES FOR RACING IN QLD
Well, we are certainly in the middle of some very interesting times with a new Government shaking up our industry in a massive way. Racing headquarters at Deagon is undergoing a huge overhaul in management, and with plenty more legislation to take place more changes are certainly imminent. We can only hope that this new era of management and control of racing in Queensland, acts in the best interests of all stakeholders.
The ATA has written to our new Racing Minister Mr Steve Dickson and his assistant Mr Tim Mander, congratulating them on their appointments and offering our support as they take our industry forward. We have asked for them to meet with our committee at their earliest convenience. All going well we will be able to advise outcomes of this meeting in next month’s report and at our next scheduled ATA quarterly meeting which will be in May.
HIGH COURT DECISION - PRODUCT FEE
The unanimous decision to dismiss the appeal and award Racing NSW the victory over the Corporate Bookmakers, should have massive impacts on the future of Australian Racing. It may take a while for us to see the benefits due to our current contract, but having a funding model that we can use in the future should ensure we are more appropriately rewarded for providing our product.
From all reports, NSW will see substantial prize-money increases almost immediately, which will put even more pressure on our owners keeping their horses in Queensland. A combination of a new Government and this landmark ruling will hopefully provide the impetus currently needed to see the way for long overdue significant increases in our prize-money levels.
WORKCOVER REVIEW
The review of our current Work-Cover scheme is continuing and it is in the hands of Racing Queensland and Work-Cover Queensland to handle the logistics of the proposed change. We hopefully will have more details on this in the next report and at our next meeting, but if anyone would like more information on this please contact Cameron.
COMPENSATION FOR ABANDONED MEETINGS
It was interesting to see that horses recently entered in a race meeting at Benalla in Victoria were extended $600 each after the meeting was abandoned due to the condition of the track. This amount was $200 more than the compensation normally paid in Victoria when this occurs.
We have had similar situations here, and the issue of even a small level of compensation has been discussed unsuccessfully with Racing Queensland in the past. Hopefully these are the sorts of issues we may have more favourable outcomes with in the future.
THE 2012 AMBASSADOR TRAVEL RACETREE WAYNE WILSON MEDAL
The 2012 Ambassador Travel Racetree Wayne Wilson Medal has been won for the month of March by Stuart Kendrick. DOUBTFILLY made it 4 wins in a row when she won the QTIS 600 2yo race at the Gold Coast on the 17th of March.
The daughter of Not A Single Doubt was purchased for just $17,500 and has now amassed nearly $340,000 from just 6 starts. A strong 4th place in the Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill showed she is right up with the better 2yo’s in the country.
DOUBTFILLY’s win by over 5 lengths at the Gold Coast gave Stuart one of his biggest thrills in racing. With 25 horses in work based in Mackay and with the horrible weather over the last few months, just getting his star filly ready to race was an achievement in itself. With all the wet track-work she has been brought up on, it’s no wonder she seems to love the soft tracks.
The 12 monthly winners will be in the running for the 2012 Wayne Wilson Medal. The Medal is proudly promoted by the ATA and sponsored by Ambassador Travel and Racetree, with the winner receiving an all inclusive trip for two to the 2012 Cox Plate along with of course, the Wayne Wilson Medal. Thanks once again to our sponsors www.ambassadortravel.com.au and www.racetree.com.au
The Ambassador Travel Racetree Wayne Wilson Medal 2011-12
August : Tony Gollan, TEMPLE OF BOOM winning the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Hcp at Flemington
September : Robert Heathcote, BUFFERING and WOORIM winning at Mooney Valley
October : Brian Wakefield, NUPTSE winning at Rosehill
November : Jason McLachan, FACILE TIGRE winning the Listed Always Welcome Stakes at Flemington
December : David Lawlor, winning Sat Metro Double at Eagle Farm inc Listed Phelan Ready Stakes
January : Peter Balzen, winning the 3yo Magic Millions Guineas with PUNCH ON.
February : Robert Heathcote, WOORIM winning the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.
March : Stuart Kendrick, DOUBTFILLY winning the QTIS 600 2yo race at the Gold Coast.
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One of the major benefits of being a member of the ATA is having a support network to go to if you have problems or concerns. We can’t solve them all, but we will take your issue on board and try and negotiate on your behalf where we can. Whatever the problem contact us and we will at the least, point you in the right direction. If you are not a member yet, now is the right time to join. Call Cameron Partington on 0433-329-395 or email ataqld@austrainers.com.au for any further information about the Queensland Branch of the Australian Trainers Association.
