Our industry is certainly at the crossroads, and fair to say we really don't know the direction our ship is travelling or who is at the helm.
The new government seems to have done exactly what the previous did, wholesale changes and making plenty of noise about what a poor state of health financially our industry was handed to them in. We have been advised that the slate will be cleaned and the business model that racing in Queensland is based on is under a full review. We have also been asked to attend meetings with consultation with all interested parties. At the time of writing this report we have not attended such a meeting.
One of the most important items that we will be fighting to protect is the current prize-money levels and that of the previously promised future increases. We were recently advised by the Minister that the new government had made a decision to financially support QTIS. Our answer to that was that we expected that they would. Anything less than full support of QTIS would have been unacceptable. But we also added that maintaining current overall prize-money levels is equally important.
It would be great if we could give our members more information on the state of play, but unfortunately we have nothing more at the moment. We hope to be able to schedule a meeting in early August and be able to have representatives from both Racing Queensland Management and the new Board in attendance. Members will be notified as soon as this can be arranged.
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Communication is very important to the ATA, and here in Qld we do our best to ensure information is passed on as often as possible. Cameron sends regular emails and SMS with latest news and issues, if you are currently not receiving these emails or SMS please make us aware by contacting Cameron at the email or phone below.
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THE WAYNE WILSON MEDAL
The 2015 Wayne Wilson Medal has been won for the month of June by Brian Smith and JETSET LAD winning the Group 2 Brisbane Cup.
This 7yo gelding by Elusive City took earnings to $570,000 with 8 wins. Brian has been very patient and after winning the Tatts Mile at last year's Winter Carnival it was a great training effort to have JETSET LAD peaking again a year later.
Brian is now in the running for the 2015 Wayne Wilson Medal proudly supported by Ubet and Wimmers Soft Drinks.
The Wayne Wilson Medal 2015
August : John Manzelmann - PAYTEEVEE winning the Cairns and Townsville Cups.
September : Rob Heathcote - BUFFERING winning the Group 1 Moir Stakes at Mooney Valley.
October : Brian Wakefield - GRAYSON SQUARE winning 3 Metropolitan races in a row.
November : Helen Page - RUDY winning the Recognition Stakes at Doomben.
December : Rex Lipp - TINTO winning the Listed Bernborough Hcp at Toowoomba.
January : Darryl Hansen - LE CHEF winning the Magic Millions 2yo Classic at the Gold Coast.
February : Les Ross - ONE STANDOUT winning QTIS 2yo Hcp making it 9 2yo wins for the season so far.
March : Ray McCall - HE DON'T CARE winning 3 in a row and 4 from last 5 starts.
April : Peter Balzen - BIG TREE winning the Ken Russell Memorial at the Gold Coast.
May : Trevor Miller - REAL GOOD winning the listed Bruce McLachlan Classic at the Sunshine Coast.
June : Brian Smith - JETSET LAD winning the Group 2 Brisbane Cup at Doomben.
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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 cam24.7@optusnet.com.au for further information about the Queensland Branch of the Australian Trainers Association.
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