With a new RQL Board, a new Chairman and a new Racing Minister, our industry is certainly going to be feeling some major changes over the coming months. The ATA is doing its best to be involved in these changes, and ensuring our position and needs are being recognised. As this report goes to print we have the Minister and the Chairman of the RQL booked in to attend our next quarterly meeting. Hopefully this will give the trainers of Queensland the opportunity to voice their concerns and hear first-hand the planned future of our industry.
Shortly after the recent election that has seen a major over-haul of the State Government, ATA President Pat Duff and leading trainer Rob Heathcote along with ATA Qld co-ordinator Cameron Partington met with the new Racing Minister Mr Steve Dickson. Although only a brief meeting, what was taken away was that the Minister was certainly enthusiastic about his new role, and very realistic about the current state of our industry. We look forward to continuing a strong working relationship with the Minister and the new Racing Board.
WORKCOVER REVIEW
The review of our current Work-Cover process is currently in the hands of Racing Queensland. We are still very hopeful that implementation of the new scheme can take place before the premium renewals that are due shortly.
2012 AMBASSADOR TRAVEL RACETREE WAYNE WILSON MEDAL
The 2012 Ambassador Travel Racetree Wayne Wilson Medal has been won for the month of April by Tony Gollan with his stable-star TEMPLE OF BOOM winning the Group 1 Galaxy Handicap at Randwick, right in the middle of the Sydney Autumn Carnival.
TEMPLE OF BOOM, a 5yo Gelding by Piccolo out of the mare Temple Spirit has now won 9 of his 28 starts and taken his career prize-money past the one million dollar mark. Tony has now won a major race with TEMPLE OF BOOM during Australia’s two major racing carnivals after his two previous wins at Flemington during the Spring Carnival.
No doubt this is the highlight of Tony’s career so far, and a great reward for the whole Gollan family who have put their lives into racing. With Tony making the move to Brisbane from his current Toowoomba base, the sky is the limit, and TEMPLE OF BOOM could easily add to his winning record during the major sprint races in our Winter Carnival.
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.
April : Tony Gollan, TEMPLE OF BOOM winning the Group 1 Galaxy at Randwick.
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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.
