Queensland in trouble ?

[Jimmy]

Queensland harness racing future is in the hands of the wrong people, the future of this state being a power house is greatly in trouble, they are not listerning to the people of our sport. :mad: What's does the future hold for the Sun shine state ? any takers ?

[nat]

The whole industry is in trouble unless we keep our guard up we once owned the nights, I was watching a Sky thoroughbred show the other day and they were boasting about owning the Friday night racing schedule Moonee Valley, Canterbury and Gold Coast I think. Boy I thought S.A. was in trouble how wrong was I Queensland Racing wanting to sell two of the best track in OZ to pump up thoroughbred racing I don’t know about you but I cannot remember ever getting back anything what was lost. These conglomerates like Queensland Racing do seem to be thoroughbred orientated dictatorship at times

[Jimmy]

Yes nat, you are spot on Dictatorship by the thoroughbred members.

[nat]

When there are 6 or so seats on the pannel 1 Greyhound 1 Harness Racing and 3 or 4 Thoroughbreds whos is going to win the vote when it benifits Thoroughbred racing any guesses anyone.

[latemail_cam]

Hi,

Would you be interested joining a harness racing partnership of around 5 people 20% shares?

I currently have a half share in a mare and are keen to start a syndicate to race in qld with a specific trainer.

My mare has had 5 starts for me for 2 wins and 2 2nds and 1 3rd.

Msg me if your interested.

Thanks

sales@floralland.com.au

Cameron

[Phoenix]

When there are 6 or so seats on the pannel 1 Greyhound 1 Harness Racing and 3 or 4 Thoroughbreds whos is going to win the vote when it benifits Thoroughbred racing any guesses anyone.

yep the boring thoroughbred races.. .. racing without a structure.. unlike harness racing... go through the grades then you have metro races then go through those grades and you have the free for alls, country cups and the grand circuit every year and the interdominion every year.

Our form of racing WHIPS the gallops by the length of the menangle park straight.

For me, gallops races are BABS.. BORING AS BAT S**T

[peacheymagic]

The stakes in Queensland are way behind that of Sydney and Melbourne which is why there are few up and coming horses in Queensland because they can go to these other states and race for more money. I am struggling to find many future grand circuit stars in this weeks card the feature race is for $11,000 dollars and the fav will be an 11yo Be Good Johnny the card is stacked with claimers and there is no 3yo race so why would owners of a promising horse keep racing them in Queensland, except for the thrill of watching their horse race. The card isn't much of a drawcard for punters either when they can spend their hard earned on Melton or Menangle.

[Phoenix]

If you think Queensland has problems, you should have a look at what's doing in S.A. They only have M class races this Saturday whereas their normal FFA's are C6+.

Another thing to consider with Victoria is that their minimum purse for a C class race is $5k no matter where it is, whereas Albion Park can have FFA's on a Tuesday with a purse of only $4150.. so peacheymagic.. you are dead set right...

Maybe that is why the McCarthy's are seriously considering setting up another camp here in Sydney and to send their top-liners down here. If that happened then the Qld scene would be considerably weakened.. but would anyone blame the guys for wanting to earn more for their bread-and-butter wins?

[peacheymagic]

To be honest Phoenix the only states where a serious owner/breeder/trainer would consider racing would be NSW, Vic or WA and Queensland up until now. The likes of South Australia and Tasmania are only raced by hobby trainers and breeders unfortunately as the stakes and feature races don't make it viable to those who wish to race top horses and be successful. For the sake of a couple of feature races a year why wouldn't you base yourself in Sydney where feature Queensland and Victorian carnivals are accessible. Or if you had a nice horse who was not quite up to grand circuit racing send it to WA to race for the best stakes in Australia week in week out.

[Phoenix]

Very true about W.A. They've always had great stakes. I just had a quick look at some average race results at Gloucester Park from the early 90's and they were racing for $8k whereas Moonee Valley metro races were just a bit over that and Harold Park were around the $5.5k mark.

Speaking of WA.. ITMQ and Washakie are going around on Friday night. And fair dinkum how much longer can Has The Answers race for.. He's due for one hell of a break.

[Brando]

Any thoughts on Bentley's Industry Infrastructure Masterplan released to the media? Looks promising from an outisder's perspective without knowing the full politics involved with the 3 codes in RQL

[Phoenix]

Sad to read that Albion Park is gonna be sold. Isn't Parklands @ Gold Coast also closing this year? Where are they gonna race now? At the triangle @ Redcliffe? Or back at the megatight Toowoomba track??

[peacheymagic]

Has the answers is a perfect WA horse not up to the top level but what a job he has done $850,000 in the bank and hasn't left the state, I very much doubt he would have been able to earn half of that in any other state. Mysta Magical Mach is another one that comes to mind.

[Phoenix]

Oh My Word... I just got on the Australian Harness Racing website to check out how long Has The Answers has been racing in this current spell.. .and it started way back in September 2 0 0 9 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a look: http://www.harness.org.au/ausbreed/reports/start.cfm?horse_id=517172

[Phoenix]

Just noticed the story on Nathan Hand.

I sincerely wish him the best of luck in what will be a hell of a fight to keep Albion Park for harness racing.

[peacheymagic]

Yeah he is same sort of Iron horse Phoenix and I would agree with you that he needs a spell but the horse is 8 now and if he has a spell now he may not return to his best and so can understand why the trainer and owners are keeping him going, as he continues to bring in the cheques, until he loses form/gets injured i don;t think he will get a spell.

[Phoenix]

better not tell that to the horse otherwise he'd say something like "what the &$#@.. i'm gonna keep racing and racing??"

[Flashing Red]

Sad to read that Albion Park is gonna be sold. Isn't Parklands @ Gold Coast also closing this year? Where are they gonna race now? At the triangle @ Redcliffe? Or back at the megatight Toowoomba track??

If you had read the infastructure plan, Albion Park would be replaced by Deagon, only 15 mins further North than Albion Park (and unlike Albion Park it is easier to get through, no stopping and starting through the city with traffic and traffic lights). Deagon will be a 1400m track, the same size as Menagle, plus there will be (I think, trying to remember off the top of my head) 100-120 stables for standardbreds on course. The gallopers will be moved out. There will be a dual grandstand like at the Goldcoast, with the greyhounds on the other side.

We have the opportunity to get a state of the art 7/8th track - look how popular Menagle is. Sadly, Queensland has gained the repuation of being the worst state for team driving - a 1400m track greatly reduces opportunities for team driving, which will benefit the entire industry.

We will also have a 1000 metre track at Bundamba and Redcliffe will still race once a week. While it will be sad to loose Albion Park, Deagon will be much better - the same as Harold Park v Menagle.

[Phoenix]

If you had read the infastructure plan, Albion Park would be replaced by Deagon, only 15 mins further North than Albion Park (and unlike Albion Park it is easier to get through, no stopping and starting through the city with traffic and traffic lights). Deagon will be a 1400m track, the same size as Menagle, plus there will be (I think, trying to remember off the top of my head) 100-120 stables for standardbreds on course. The gallopers will be moved out. There will be a dual grandstand like at the Goldcoast, with the greyhounds on the other side.

We have the opportunity to get a state of the art 7/8th track - look how popular Menagle is. Sadly, Queensland has gained the repuation of being the worst state for team driving - a 1400m track greatly reduces opportunities for team driving, which will benefit the entire industry.

We will also have a 1000 metre track at Bundamba and Redcliffe will still race once a week. While it will be sad to loose Albion Park, Deagon will be much better - the same as Harold Park v Menagle.

Yep I did read the infrastructure plan and my question "Where are they gonna race now?" was referring to Parklands...

The new track at Deagon will be a boon for Brisbane racing - no doubt about it..

Before Menangle and Melton came along, it was Albion Park that was considered the "speed pacing capital of Australia".

How times have changed....

[Flashing Red]

It's fantastic hey? I don't know why Bentley kept silent for so long, I think he could have managed everything a little better, people felt like they weren't being informed, going behind their back etc. But really, all along, he just wants the viability of the racing industry. :) I was one of his stouted critics - but have had to eat humble pie :) It's a shame that there are a number of people within the harness industry doing their best to keep the positives about Deagon etc in the dark. I say let people hear both sides of the story and make up for themselves. Sadly however the only things that seem to be published of late are anti-Deagon and anti-Bentley articles :( We were going down the gurgler as it was, at least this guy is trying. :)

[Phoenix]

better not tell that to the horse otherwise he'd say something like "what the &$#@.. i'm gonna keep racing and racing??"

after his run last night it looks like Has The Answers has.. run out of answers.. (sorry, just had to say it. )

[latemail_cam]

The driver is slaughtering that horse why would he go full tilt with 1600m to go of a 2500m race.
1st quarter 28 seconds what was he thinking from the death seat!!!!!

[attacktheline]

Here in Qld the 3 codes have been amalgamated into one 7 person board 5 from the racehorses and one each from harness and greyhounds.The greyhound person was sacked recently by the board for speaking up and hasn't been replaced.The new board has an Asset plan which is to sell Albion Park and redevelop Deagon and Bundamba racecourses as multi venue courses.So the harbness and greyhounds signed over their asset and get relocated as tenants if this goes aherad which looks very doubtful as there is a Writ issued by harness racing to prevent the sale and mandate that the promises made to redevelop Albion Park be upheld.All info is on the website of RQL www.racingqueenslandlimited.com.au (http://www.racingqueenslandlimited.com.au)

[craig]

How great is harness racing in Qld. Have some great horses but soon no future. Bentley has no plans "Flashing Red" to build any new harness tracks in Qld. As much as i want to see a new venue with a 1400 or 1600 metre track that is not going to happen with Bentley in charge. All he wants up here is the gallops. Learn about the history of the labour party and you will see what is happening. Ludwig is running this state not Anna Bligh. Ludwig is best mate and on the racing queensland board with Bentley. They both have a dislike for harness racing and will do what they can to ruin it. Labour has for the last 15 years put there mates into the top spots on our trotting boards with the sole purpose on shutting down our industry. They have continued to shut down track after track, refused to take on sky channel time slots that have now gone to the greyhounds in twillight slots and have taken on lunch time starts when there is very little betting turnover. Our race programmers are still using programes from ten years ago and that is why we have so many odds on favourite race up here which in turn kills turnover. These boards have continued to allow the gallops to run race meetings at night up against our race meetings which also takes away from our turnover. AS with the sale of Albion Park, the reason harness is fighting this is so we can keep control of the venue. A while ago Kevin Seymour wanted to develop the site by putting the race track to the back of the facility and to build a row of shops on the front half which would have returned money in the shape of rent, back into our code for prizemoney but this idea was rejected by the greyhound board which unfortunaltly also shares the venue. Hopefully we will have a change of government soon here in Qld and get away from this corrupt Labour party. If harness racing is to survive then we need to have people running it that care about harness racing not there back pockets. If labour win the next election, Bentley will move quickly to finish off our code, there is no doubt about that.

[Mighty Atom]

Guess what! Has The Answers wins again Friday night at G.P. Tony Svilicich can certainly move them. I've noticed that both his open class horses (Has The Answers & Mysta Magical Mach) have a strange peculiarity of racing with their tails up in the air whatever that means. Has The Answers is a goer over 1700 metres or 2100 metres, hopeless any further.

[Village Kid]

That was the Has The Answers of 6 mths ago Friday night..brilliant performance. remarkable warhorse.

It's staggering to think whats happening in Qld given the champions to come out of the Sunshine State the last decade or so - BAF, Ge Good Johnny, Slipnslide etc...just staggering. Surely success breeds success?

Here in SA all you need to know is that in the Mid 80's races like the SA Oaks and Clipsal Cup (SA Cup leadup) were worth $20K; they're now worth $12,500. Same across the board - prizemoney has actually gone backwards in the alst 25 years. In 1986 Globe Derby hosted both the $130K APC (the SA Cup has never been worth more than $100K since) and the $50K Australian Derby. The SA Derby on the other hand has been stagnant on $30K for as long as I can remember, even then its always been the 2nd richest race in the state. There is maybe a handful of races worth more than what they race for every race at Gloucester Park every Friday night. Kevin and Kay Seymour sponsored a C3-C5 Series here late last year, at $60K it was worth TWICE as much as every other race in the state save for the SA Pacing Cup.

I fell in love with Harness Racing as a kid in the late 80's with horses like Tip Top Prince, Pappy McCoy, Yaracoola, Whierley Dream, Mike's Choice etc going around every Saturday night. John and Lance Justice, Ross Sugars, Geoff Webster...all gone interstate looking for greener pastures. My folks tell me Wayville was huge back in the 50's and 60's; you can break wind at Globe Derby these days and needn't worry as there's not another soul in sight.

Everyone to NSW then?

[scottbarnard]

You are dead right Village Kid. The rot has only just started to set in. Look at the exodus from the sport. This has only just begun. Racing Queensland has no interest in the sport and the people who signed up to this failed merger have been duped. The real solution lies in the removal of the Bligh Government.

[mango]

Start relocating to n.s.w that looks to be your only chance, i can't believe they even merged the writing was on the board that Harness/Greyhounds would be shafted by having 3 people from the gallops on the Racing merger board and 1 from each of the other. Majority rules.

[craig]

Hey mango, you are wrong about been shafted by 3 people. The gallops have 5 people on the board to 1 from harness racing and was meant to be one from the greyhounds but she was sacked for know reason and now it is before the courts. Also the harness board member is a great mate of Bentleys and was also the person who signed us up to racing queensland so what chance do we have. The reason they signed up was that the board was told if they did not sign up then the government would withdraw all funding to harness racing in Queensland. They are now knocking off 2 tab meetings a week off us and making Redcliffe race on a saturday afternoon non tab and starting at 330 in the afternoon. That means it is set up to fail because a lot of the Redcliffe trainers have Albion Park horses which usually starts it meetings at 5 pm. From what i have also heard is that Racing Queensland i making Redcliffe fund there own meeting, which will force them to go broke as they will recieve nothing from the Tab or the board. We need a change of government fast in this state if not we will be having a tough time of it.

[mango]

Hi Craig

Thanks for the info, you guy's are doing tuff up there and your right you need a change of government as fat cat BENTLEY and his crew aren't going to do you any favours. I wish you all the best and keep us informed.

[triplev123]

G'day Mango,

Given his apparent none too well hidden TB Industry leanings I find it very, very disturbing indeed that Bob Bentley is an Executive Member of HRA.
Harness Racing in this country requires the input of a QLD Labor Party backed, TB Industry sympathiser like we need an outbreak of African Horse Sickness. What assurances do we have that he does not report back in chapter and verse everything that is discussed at a National level...to his TB Industry cronies?. IMO it is akin to inviting Termites to live within your house.