QLD racing

[mightymo]

Another "wonderful" move by basher Bob in declaring the Kay and Kevin Seymour series will no longer have any reference to Kay and Kevin Seymour - just called the Nursery pace

Kay and Kevin have promptly(and rightly) pulled their sponsorship and will look to do it elsewhere

I really feel for QLD participants. You will be lucky to have an industry left by the time Bob gets his marching orders...

[mightymo]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/racing-bids-adieu-to-millions/story-fn6ck51p-1226047109423

[Bravo]

hey mighty bentley just doing his job the job of completly stuffing the qld racing industry

[triplev123]

Just when you think you've seen it all.

[Flashing Red]

That's very disappointing :(

[triplev123]

G'day Flashing,

The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

[latemail_cam]

Kevin and Kay moving operations to SA is the word

[DAZZA]

Bently is Osama Bin Laden to QLD Harness Racing. Deadset.

[latemail_cam]

Hopefully not though I think its going going gone.......... A bit like the 1.50.2 record going going gone..........................

[Love Of Courage]

Absolutely Disgusting,

After all Kevin & Kay have done for harness racing, especially in QLD. Isn't the idea to build and improve racing not destroy it.

[mango]

Disgusting is an under statement, we need harness racing going foward in every state and it looks like Bob is trying to crush it. It's a pitty someone wouldn't crush him.

Hi Flashing Red

If i remember right you were saying Bob's not that bad for the industry well i'd hate to see what bad is.

[Love Of Courage]

Kevin & Kay have been great for harness racing especially in QLD. They could so easily pour their money into thoroughbreds like most of the other wealthy people who prefer the more glamourous thoroughbreds.

Good work Bob ! How much more damage can you do to Harness Racing.

[Village Kid]

That just defies logic.

Would be great to see them come here to SA to pop up the industry... I just hope they don't waste their money as harness racing has been so badly mismanaged down here it might be throwing good money away.

For the sake of QLD racing lets hope it doesn't turn out that way

[aussiebreno]

I frequent another forum for thoroughbred racing and they are hating on Bob Bently as well.

[latemail_cam]

Bobs no good.........

[mango]

Hi Latemail_cam

Sorry of the topic for a sec but i'm curious to the horse you use as your pic is it one of yours.

[montana]

i think there is alot more to this issue than has been disclosed at this point.

[mango]

Would you like to fill us in Montana or would that be better left for another time.

[Shakamaker]

I read somewhere that Kevin Seymour's sponsorship of the QLD Harness Racing Industry in 2009/10 was $25,000 - not $1m as reported or implied.

The other implication from the article that was on Harnesslink earlier in the week is that Kevin and Kay Seymours name was being attached to the Nursery Series despite the fact that they were not contributing any sponsorship dollars towards the race.

[mightymo]

I read somewhere that Kevin Seymour's sponsorship of the QLD Harness Racing Industry in 2009/10 was $25,000 - not $1m as reported or implied.

The other implication from the article that was on Harnesslink earlier in the week is that Kevin and Kay Seymours name was being attached to the Nursery Series despite the fact that they were not contributing any sponsorship dollars towards the race.

I suppose the money tipped in by Watpac for the ID doesnt count... please..

Go have a look at the 7:30 report on ABC from the last 2 nights to see the truth about Bob Bentley. you can watch it online

[mango]

Hi Mightymo

Didn't know it was on ABC the other night, is there any chance you no the website address so i can watch it.

[mightymo]

Hi Mightymo

Didn't know it was on ABC the other night, is there any chance you no the website address so i can watch it.

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/

there are 2 parts, each about 8-9 min long

[mango]

Thanks, much appreciated.

[Shakamaker]

I suppose the money tipped in by Watpac for the ID doesnt count... please..

Go have a look at the 7:30 report on ABC from the last 2 nights to see the truth about Bob Bentley. you can watch it online

In 2010, the Inter Dominion was staged in NSW which last time I checked was not part of QLD. So no, any contribution towards a series conducted in NSW would not count as sponsorship in QLD.

[triplev123]

The first time in a long time that I thought the ABC was worth my 8 cents a day. Nice work 7:30 Report.

[Love Of Courage]

Thanks Mightymo,

Just clicked the link and watched the ABC story. Thank you for that it was very interesting.

[latemail_cam]

Just watched Video at least this got aired and finally some pressure might be imposed though still doesnt look good.

Does anyone know what the new prizemoney increases are for QLD harness?

[triplev123]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi64Dw3wEiU

Mr Dixon sends a Train Set and a Hat for Mr Bentley.
Mrs Bentley has a Surprise for Mr Bentley.

[mango]

I was just reading an article in The Courier Mail May 20th about the pending court battle with Queensland Harness/Albion Park against Bob (Germ) Bentley. I'm not sure how to post it on here so if someone could kindly do it for me that would be greatly appreciated.

[craig]

Albion Park dispute to go to early trial
Date: Friday, 20 May 2011 2:44 PM
Industry: Harness Racing

The fight over the sale of Brisbane's Albion Park paceway looks set to go to a speedy trial after a Supreme Court judge today rejected an application to have various legal points about it sent to the Court of Appeal. Justice Martin Daubney's decision means the way should now be open to set a trial date for the high profile case.The dispute has attracted widespread interest outside the racing world because it involves several broad issues including parliamentary privilege and the Trade Practices Act.The Queensland Harness Racing Board has taken Racing Queensland Limited and its chairman Robert Geoffrey Bentley to the Supreme Court, seeking in effect a court order to prevent the sale of Albion Park.It is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief as well as damages.In the background is the legislation which enabled the merging of the three racing codes; gallops, harness and greyhounds.The QHRB claimed it agreed to the merger only after being told there was no plan to sell Albion Park, the home of the sport in Brisbane for 40 years. QHRB claims that it would not have agreed to the merger and the then Racing Minister Peter Lawlor would not have been able to prepare and present the amalgamation legislation to parliament. It has alleged RQ breached the Trade Practices Act by using deceptive tactics to gain the change in legislation to sell the track but RQ argued any plans to bring such a case would breach parliamentary privilege. RQ also denied it had breached a contract because the legislation vested in it all of QHRB's assets and liabilities including contracts and therefore it could not be held to have breached a contract with itself The matter has been placed on the Commercial list for trial but RQ went to the Supreme Court asking that matters of law applying to the case be referred to the Court of Appeal for answer. The questions were: Did some issues at the trial contravene a section of the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001 (parliamentary privilege)? Were certain issues capable fo being adjudicated on by the Supreme Court of Queensland? And could QHRB raise an issue in relation to property transferred to RQ? In the Supreme Court today, Justice Daubney dismissed the application for a referral and ordered RQ and Mr Bentley pay costs. "I am not persauded that issues raised by the applicants are "ripe" for separate and preliminary determination," Justice Daubney wrote. He said he was not persauded the scope of factual inquiry at the trial would necessarily be significantly reduced even if the RQ and Mr Bentley were successful in achieving a determination of the Court of Appeal with the effect of limiting the issues. "It seems to me the more appropriate and efficient course is for the matter to progess to trial in the Commercial List as soon as possible," Justice Daubney said. It is understood the trial could be set down for hearing within the next three months if all parties were ready to proceed

[triplev123]

Therefore, send not to know.
For whom the Bell tolls,
It tolls for thee............Racing QLD.

[Flashing Red]

You forgot to mention harness racing in Queensland in general, Triple V. The actions taken over the past few months has ensured that this sport will no longer be able to continue in this state, moreso IMHO if we go back to being 3 separate bodies. We WILL loose that 14% turnover margin and that will be the final nail in the coffin. I wonder what the big stables in this state will do then!!

[Flashing Red]

All I can say is I can't wait until the barns in Menangle are built :) I've jumped ship already and almost feel like a New South Welsh(wo)men now! lmao! :) Still hoping for a miracle for harness racing in Qld however... :(

[triplev123]

Sister, all I can say is that you & yours are most welcome here in NSW.
Glad to have you on board.
Now, about that FSS filly I mentioned a few months ago... :D

[Flashing Red]

I really did love the racing at Menangle, reminded me a little of America! :) Building barns and running quicker times will make it a little Meadowlands! :D :D :D

[triplev123]

...as will the available $$$Prizemoney$$$. It's all good. ;)

[Love Of Courage]

If I heard correctly on In The Gig they are even cancelling the Albion Park monday afternoon meetings. Would like to know why as they seemed to be getting enough races and runners.

Anyone know why or when this will happen ?

[Don Corleone]

Hi All,
I have been reading this thread since it started and I am really sad by the state of affairs in Queensland. Madness. I have some GREAT memories of going to meetings in the state. It shows you how our industry is really at the hands of the powers to be and as in a lot of places here in NZ nothing more than a political football, used by people who don't know how to pass or kick.

[triplev123]

For mine, Melbourne band 'Something for Kate' inadvertantly described the Harness Racing Industry's widely held view of Racing QLD in the lyrics of their song 'Monsters'.
I couldn't get with the program and I couldn't listen to them...it was like trying to think in reverse.

[triplev123]

Another pillar bites the dust. Racing QLD must be VERY proud of their trail of destruction.

Bring on Campbell Newman & the LNP....QLD is SCREAMING for a change of Government.

[Flashing Red]

I have been saying we shouldn't have a Brisbane APG sale for years (I think I have even mentioned this before on this forum). Did you see the last one? The overall quality of the lots were pretty dismal. There is the Redcliffe Sale people can put their horses in or pay the non-sale entry for the APG if the yearling warrants it. For years, anyone with any horses that they wanted to commercially sell they have sent to Sydney or Melbourne.
"Trail of destruction"? You're now looking for anything to drag down the name of Racing Qld. If that's your prerogative, fine, but the quality of the Brisbane APG sale has been (overall) quite poor over the years. The best yearlings are now being sold in the premium sale or Melbourne, then Sydney. You won't see too many interstaters (and certainly not Kiwis!) hanging around Brisbane sale!

[Flashing Red]

All I'm saying is the APG sale in Brisbane has been going down hill for a long time. It's not like the pin has been pulled from a thriving Melbourne sale. That's all. :) The Queensland breeding industry has not set the world on fire in recent times, can't see that changing, Brisbane APG sale or not :)

[triplev123]

G'day Flashing,

As I recall Ken White came over from WA and picked one up earlier this year :p but of course one warm day does not a Summer make.
You're quite right in terms of the overall quality offered, it has not been that good for a while now, but nevertheless it has thus far managed to hang in there.
Given the demise of the Brisbane APG there's very little if any doubt in my mind right now that recent events up there have played a very, very big part in finally killing it off.
To borrow from medical terminology, it may well have succummed to Renal failure but Racing QLD was the underlying Cancer, the causative agent.
Obviously Yearling Sales are all about the buyers present having a level of confidence in the future...and Racing QLD's actions have not instilled in buyers any such confidence in the future....instead serving to obliterate what little confidence there was.
In one instance I don't know why I get involved...things here in my home State of NSW could not possibly be better as far as the immediate and long-term future is concerned.
As I've said before, down here we're set to become the Greatest Harness Racing Show in the Southern Hemisphere.
On the other hand, I can't help but put myself in the shoes of others in this instance and thus I feel extremely downhearted on behalf of QLD based Breeders.
If things are already hanging in there by a string then the last thing any Breeder up there needs is an organisation that doesn't mind waving a Samurai Sword about the place.

I trust your exams are not too stressful. My advice is to keep the Coffee/Red Bulls flowing like rivers. ;)

[Flashing Red]

No, they are very stressful - first assessment finished today, about the injustices of the criminal justice system. The COMPSTAT process in NSW is next week and rules of Evidence the week after!!! I normally don't have any coffee or Red Bull etc, but it is my trick when I need to stay away. I can't sleep a wink after one red bull even if a wanted to! But its great for cramming in exams! :)

[Love Of Courage]

Hello Hello,

I have to agree QLD harness racing is not looking good at the moment. As a seller for the last 5 years at the Brisbane APG sales I have seen the decline. After several bad sales I was going to make the decision to only sell interstate or not breed at all. I think that at times the Brisbane sale has been too late and most people had purchased elsewhere. Also sometimes bad timing with important interstate race meetings or sales on the same day have hurt. The Redcliffe sale has also had an impact.

Both Flashing Red and Triplev123 make valid points. Flashing Red is correct that Qld people travel interstate to buy however few if any interstate people or NZ people ever travel to Brisbane to buy. The last thing you want when selling at an auction is to see very few genuine buyers. With the uncertainty of Qld harness racing it is no surprise that buyers are holding back.

One of the best things about selling in Brisbane was the hope that they would be trained and raced in Brisbane as a passionate breeder it is such a thrill to attend the meeting and watch them race and hopefully win. Its never quite the same to watch them on the screen.

To give an example I sold a Courage colt at the 2010 Brisbane Sale which sold for $10,000. The purchaser a very well known and experienced owner who has years of purchasing high quality lots. In his opinion this colt would have made $30,000 in Melbourne. I then emailed the pedigree and pictures of this colt to a top class New Zealand trainer and asked for an honest no nonsense assesment of this colt. This gentleman attends all the top sales and has had great success with the Courage progeny. The feedback was a nice looking colt with a solid pedigree and if they thought he looked good in the flesh they would have put a price of $25,000 on him.

Its hard enough to break even or make a profit under these conditions. For me personally I think that the APG have gone out of their way to make it viable for me to sell interstate. With the travel subsidies and the insurance etc I think that they have pulled the right rein with this decision.

[mango]

Hi Love of Courage

Just so i understand a bit more, the APG subsidies travel and helps with insurance does this increase if you travel further like to Melbourne or is it the same if you go to Sydney/Melbourne. It is a shame that there will be no APG sale in QLD but as Flashing has pointed out it has been going down hill for a while. I hope in the long run there is a change in the direction Racing in Queensland heads as at the moment it's on a down hill slide, maybe with a change of government and newly elected people to take controll of the industry racing might go foward and prize money go up and the sales return.

[craig]

Poor gallops. Life must be so hard for them that they have to try and steal from the harness code then winge because they dont get there own way. Once again why should harness racing lose there major asset so the gallops can go forward. In a years time, fingers crossed we will have a new government and hopefully get some people running harness racing who are there to try and improve our code not just to line there back pockets.


IPSWICH Turf Club chairman slams Albion Park court action for stalling gallops development
IPSWICH Turf Club chairman Wayne Patch has fired a broad-side at the harness racing Supreme Court action which is frustrating moves to redevelop Bundamba as a three-code venue.

Patch told the QUEENSLAND TIMES: “It's a tragedy all-round that all these developments up and down the coast of Queensland are being frustrated by some legal impediment of an old racetrack in Brisbane.”'


Having been involved in sports administration for more than 40 years, Patch said the ITC redevelopment would be a massive boost for the city of Ipswich and Queensland racing.
He believes that was highlighted by last Saturday's latest Ipswich Cup, which attracted 21,000 people in tough economic times.

“It's pretty hard to excite me these days but Saturday afternoon I was pretty chuffed,'' Patch, 55, said. “The economic climate was such that we were prepared for a bit of a hit but it just didn't happen.:'

Having been ITC chairman since 2001, Patch believes redevelopment and a major post-Ipswich Cup meeting are realistic goals.

He just needs decision-makers to put progress ahead of politics.

The progressive administrator told the QUEENSLAND TIMES he would like to see the temporary marquee city assembled for the Ipswich Cup meeting stay intact to host an extra race meeting or even a carnival.

“I'm passionate about pursuing other opportunities to use those facilities,'' Patch said yesterday.

“Whether it be by way of major race meetings or other things, we're always open to suggestions.''

With a $30 million redevelopment proposal on the table for the Ipswich Turf Club, Patch is eager to press ahead with his post-Ipswich Cup plans.

“They (the marquees) are up a week before and there would be no issue whatsoever in retaining them for another week,'' the chairman said.

Patch believes the 20,000-plus Ipswich Cup crowds can grow comfortably by another 5000 in a redeveloped turf club.

After another successful Cup meeting, he is anxious to see ITC upgrade plans proceed swiftly, regardless of the issues surrounding Albion Park.

“We do need an improvement in facilities but our hands are tied,” he said. “I think it's an absolute nonsense that these things can be held up.”

Queensland Treasury has previously allocated at least $30m to a world-class redevelopment proposed for Bundamba. That includes provision for harness and greyhound racing.

However, a starting date for work is in limbo due to the ongoing legal controversy over the sale of Albion Park. “We have this wonderful development sitting on the books, with Racing Queensland endorsement,'' Patch said. “We're desperately keen.”



STORY SOURCE: QUEENSLAND TIMES - AUSTRALIAN PROVINCIAL NEWSPAPER GROUP

[mango]

Wow interesting reading, Patch must have his head right up Bentley's ass by the sounds of it. What Patch should understand is that the $30 mil he was promised is at the demise of A-Park. I can't understand for the life of me how these small minded gallops people really are. I do hope Harness Racing Queensland win the court battle and as there driving off please don't forget to flick the bird and Bentley and his boy's.

[triplev123]

...by the time the LNP are done with RQLD old mate will be lucky if they let him empty Campbell's waste paper basket.