Because I seldom get anything right I have few opportunities to say "I told you so". But if you read my blog of 15 July, Conspiracy Theories Are Generally Just That, then you won't be dismayed by the unedifying demise of the process put in place via a parliamentary bill to appoint a new Board of RacingNSW.
It was a flawed, not to mention costly, process, unlikely to succeed virtually from the start. It is an indictment that in a critical hour of need the industry couldn't negotiate an outcome without fear or favour.
So now the peak body will be run by a Board foisted upon the industry by a politician. Like it or lump it. With a serious reduction in the flow of funds to NSW racing appearing a strong likelihood, not to mention macro-economic conditions, we are in very challenging times.
Bike? Check. Glasses? Check.
Tilly, super cool biker chick.
Melbourne Underbelly?
Looks like it, but actually the Main Man at 'Orange' ... if great coffee, fine food, sumptuous wines, funky atmosphere and fab service are your go, 'Orange' at the Windsor end of Chapel St, Melbourne, is the place. Ask for Anthony and tell him his old man sent you.
SOME RECENT PURCHASES and RECOMMENDATIONS
Thousand Guineas Prelude winner Ortensia, trainer Tony Noonan. Love those nostrils and ears (the filly's).
Fastnet Rock/Rare Insight 2YO colt. Tr J O'Shea
Danzero/Global Dance 2YO colt. Tr G Waterhouse
Canadian 2YO stakeswinner and young broodmare Chelsey's Image (Holy Bull-Lucky Chelsey), in foal to Dylan Thomas (Ire)
Golan/Double Owe 2YO colt, named Double Whisky. Tr C Waller
Redoute's Choice/Volted In 2YO filly. Tr G Waterhouse
Hussonet/Portrayal 2YO filly, named Bolocco Miss. Tr C Waller
Anabaa/Regal Fun 2YO colt. Tr C Waller.
High Chaparral, sire of the Kaapentyne 2YO colt. Tr C Little.
More Than Ready/Rachael's Pride 2YO colt, named Our Corsa. Tr C Waller
Charge Forward/Zerlina 2YO filly, named Passing By. Tr Robert Price
A P Indy's successful sire son Malibu Moon, sire of USA stakeswinner and young broodmare Grant's Moon, booked to Show A Heart.
USA stakeswinner and young broodmare Les Ry Leigh (Broken Vow-Azusa), in foal to Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire)
Hussonet's G1 winning 2YO champion filly La Chiflota
Group winner Rockwood (Rock Of Gibraltar-Foxwood, by Centaine). Tr G Waterhouse
Gr 1 winning mare Absolut Glam (Snowland-Pine Away, by Pine Bluff). Tr D O'Brien.
8 comments:
Why oh why is there even a Racing Minister? There is no AFL Minister is there...
And what are your opinions of the rumours spreading of rife EPO usage in the industry, layed out by this article?
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24561412-2722,00.html
Disturbing times indeed.
There is a Racing Minister because (1) racing/wagering is considered a sin therefore it must be regulated, and (2) sins are OK as long as you tax them, therefore they become a matter of interest for governments who thrive off the revenue stream. There is an 'AFL Minister' inasmuch as sports betting is a regulated activity; however, sports have social origins and have not been reliant on betting income for their participation rates and income. That's my take on it, anyway, I may be quite wrong! As far as the article re drug use is concerned, I can't comment in fact, but I read the article as one embracing the wider issue of equine drug testing keeping up with the latest developments in order to ensure a level playing field which we know to be fundamental to the integrity of racing. As we have seen from other sports recently, in particular cycling, chemical assistance is often one step ahead of the testing regimes and I suspect racing is no different. The lust to compete and win, especially if money is involved, triggers a motivation to look for an 'edge' and sports medicine/science is an area where edges are usually found. There have been some notable examples of performance enhancement, none moreso than the spectacular rise then fall of certain stables (there is one outstanding example in harness racing). Personally, judged on the performance standards of a few stables on both sides of the Tasman during the '80s and '90s, I have no doubt that they were taking advantage of an 'edge' which testing at the time could not adequately cover. I think racing officials were well aware of this but were frustrated that they did not have the science available at the time to curb the practices. Nowadays, however, those stables have returned to the ranks of the mere mortal thanks to developments in analysis. As greed and vanity are fundamental human weaknesses, there is enormous temptation for one man to advantage himself over another for gain and success. However, this strikes at the very heart of free and fair competition. All measures to protect the innocent industry participants and the public, who through their wagering provide the lifeblood of the sport and who rely on results not being skewed, are to be applauded.
While we are laying it on Racing Ministers, how about we in Victoria take the opportunity to get rid of ours...Rob Hulls. He is supposed to be the Minister FOR Racing but all he seems to do is work AGAINST us. He needs a good dose of reality and to be shown the door in no uncertain terms.
What happens in NZ Steve with no bookies. Is their racing industry funded adequately or does the Gov chip in funds?
We have a racing minster that has been to a horse race so maybe that's a plus.
They are suppose to control betting!! but have written legislation that is been challanged??
If prize money is to be halved the owners are better running up the straight themselves. Racing better start trying to attract younger owners because you can't start the next race if there is no ambulance
My understanding is that in NZ, industry funds are primarily generating from betting turnover, the taxes on which having been adjusted recently to give racing more of its own money back, from co-sponsorship and some cash grants for high profile races ex the national budget. But please, if there's a kiwi reading this and I haven't got it right, correct me.
Spot on Steve. The NZ Racing Board are the statutory body which operate the industry, thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing included. The TAB itself is also run by the New Zealand Racing Board, and is the first government-run betting service. This has allowed the government to essentially 'fund' the industry through finances generated by the TAB. Our Racing Ministers have been found lacking many times in the past, however the most recent minister Winston Peters has been an absolute godsend to NZ racing. Just a pity his actions outside of Racing Minister have massively depleted the odds of him being reelected into government!
What was the upshot of the payola insinuations involving Peters and certain prominent members of the NZ racing community which, prima facie, seemed interlocked with Peters delivering the big budgetary golden egg to racing per courtesy of him holding the balance of power?
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