NEW RACING QUEENSLAND BOARD ANNOUNCED
Finally the decision has been made on who will lead our industry into the future with the announcement of the new Board members. The ATA is very pleased that the 3 candidates that we supported all were successful in obtaining positions. We congratulate Kevin Dixon, Greg Hallam and Mike Kelly on their selection and certainly look forward to continuing the great working relationship we already have.
RACING QUEENSLAND INQUIRY
The recently announced inquiry into Queensland Racing will certainly be welcomed by the majority of our industry participants. The ATA feels that if the mistakes made in the past can be learned from, and any other outcomes that warrant further investigation and potential retribution can be done so in a timely manner and at a minimal cost to the industry.
ATA QLD BRANCH QUARTERLY MEETING
Our next quarterly meeting will be held on Monday 17th June at Eagle Farm Racecourse commencing at 12.30pm. We have changed the meetings from Thursdays to avoid clashes with Rockhampton and Toowoomba race meetings. As usual lunch and refreshments will be provided, and we thank the continual support from both the BRC and the Hamilton Hotel for looking after us.
We will invite the new Board members to attend so we can hear first-hand the future plans and have our own input into where racing in Queensland is heading. Please ensure you RSVP for the meeting to Cameron by 11th June.
During April ATA Qld committee member Denis Heinemann travelled to Rockhampton to attend a meeting of local trainers in that area. With the ongoing discussions on Work-Cover high on the agenda, Denis was able to provide more information and give the local trainers a better insight into the issue. It was a successful meeting and the ATA was able to gain some important feedback on what is such a delicate topic.
Further to this our ATA co-ordinator Cameron Partington had a meeting with the President of the Rockhampton Trainers, Jim Rundle to discuss Work-Cover and other issues facing our country trainers. The major outcome of these meetings was ensuring the ATA in Qld has a very firm commitment to our country trainers and that our communication is open and consistent.
2013 WAYNE WILSON MEDAL
The 2013 Wayne Wilson Medal has been won for the month of March by Michael Nolan and his stable star MISS IMAGICA.
The 5yo mare by Hidden Dragon won the Weetwood Handicap in April after winning the race last year.
MISS IMAGICA has now won over $500k in prize-money from her ten wins, of which all but one have been won on the cushion track in Toowoomba, which certainly does give MISS IMAGICA the crown of the Queen of the Cushion Track. She holds the record for the most wins on the track, and will be aiming to be the first horse to win three Weetwood Handicaps to finish off a stellar racing career.
The twelve monthly winners will be in the running for the 2013 Ambassador Travel Wimmers Soft Drinks Wayne Wilson Medal.
The Wayne Wilson Medal 2012-13
AUGUST
Patrick Inwood, JABIRU DREAMING winning 9 straight culminating in the Cleveland Bay.
SEPTEMBER
Robert Heathcote, BUFFERING winning the Group 3 Moir Stakes at Mooney Valley.
OCTOBER
Robert Heathcote, SOLZHENITZEN (G1) and BUFFERING (G2) winning at Caulfield.
NOVEMBER
Don Baker, JET STYLE winning 2 Listed Races at Eagle Farm.
DECEMBER
Liam Birchley, MISSY LONGSTOCKING winning the B.J McLachlan Stakes (G3) at Eagle Farm.
JANUARY
Kelso Wood, REAL SURREAL winning the Magic Millions 2yo Classic at the Gold Coast.
FEBRUARY
Desleigh Forster, ADEBESI winning the Rubiton Stakes at Caulfield (G3).
MARCH
Natalie McCall, RIVER LAD winning the Gold Coast Stakes and the Listed Bribie Handicap.
APRIL
Michael Nolan, MISS IMAGICA winning her second Weetwood Handicap in Toowoomba.
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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.
