D-DAY FOR DOOMBEN

Tomorrow is D-Day for racing in Brisbane – delivery day, if you like, being the due date for those expecting the birth of a new racing entity for Metropolitan racing.

While that result is a short-priced favourite to carry the vote at a Special General Meeting scheduled for 10.30 tomorrow morning, the old adage that there are no certainties in racing still remains true and many will be holding their collective breaths as they await the outcome.

Let it be said at the outset, the proposal to amalgamate the Brisbane Turf Club with the Queensland Turf Club has obvious advantages and almost all voting members would certainly not be against the progress that would bring.

Likewise, it can arguably be surmised that most voting members would not be unhappy with the creation of the a new, single racing identity, the Brisbane Racing Club, if they are comfortable that the core of their concerns, which have been well documented over the past eighteen months, have been adequately catered for in the decision making process.

Ask almost anybody at the track and there now appears to be a general consensus that a merger is inevitable. Some are bold enough to suggest it is all over bar the shouting, and that even the shouting might be short-lived, as emotion gives way to reason. It is now termed a ‘common sense’ decision, a no-brainer. It has to happen they say. And I’m not going to contest that point.

What I do find intriguing though, is the fact that even at this late stage – just hours away what is likely to be an historic vote, the three constant factors that have formed the basis of the counter-argument against the push for amalgamation are still very much in play.

Three concerns have been the roadblock and have emerged as the pivotal points on which the amalgamation issue will be decided, with the result of tomorrow’s vote largely depending on whether enough individual members have come to terms with these factors.

As such they are well worth one last evaluation here, if for no other reason than submitting them as a matter of historical record.

The future of Doomben Racecourse has always been a prime concern – from the day a move from a Metropolitan precinct to a ‘green’ site, for both race-clubs, was first mooted several years ago.

In the continuing argument of the past year, it would perhaps have been prudent for those who allegedly at one time wanted to trade the Metropolitan racecourses for a new super-track, (if that was indeed the case) to have acknowledged that the sale of one or both of the Metropolitan racetracks was an option at one stage, albeit an unpopular one ... and that they had moved on from that standpoint.

That would have helped evaporate past distrust which has simmered since that time between various influential parties as the plan for the future of racing in Brisbane evolved.

The current BTC Board is fully committed to both the merger and the retention of Doomben Racecourse and their integrity in their stated intention is not in question.

The question is whether they have gone far enough in terms of detailing the terms under which Doomben would be retained.

It’s all in the wording.

Does retaining Doomben Racecourse as a fundamental part of the Brisbane Metropolitan Racing Precinct Master Plan, as stated, mean merely retaining Doomben as a racing facility - which is a description open to many interpretations? Or, and this is the important point, does it mean the track will be retained as a race-meeting venue?

In all of the documentation featuring various proposals over the past year, the words, “the intention is to retain Doomben as a race meeting venue,” has not been mentioned.

Some have said that is implied. I say it has not been specified, and therefore falls under a grey area and could come back to bite those who believed otherwise. If I was a voting member, it is a point I would want clarified.

The second factor constantly prompting debate is the term ‘merger of equals’.

It has been clearly stated that, if approved, once the new racing club has been established, all the assets and liabilities of both the pre-existing race-clubs will be transferred to the new club leaving all members in the same boat as they sail into the future.

Given that fact, is it not important to know if the two clubs were able to negotiate the new deal as true equals in terms of existing assets and liabilities?

The BTC Board have cited financial concerns for the future as a serious motivational factor for pursuing amalgamation. A loss of $1 million in the past financial year has been mentioned and dire trading circumstances for the future have been predicted.

The BTC’s financial concerns have been well documented and given much publicity, but how many voting members are aware of how this figure and all-around concern up stacks up against the equivalent Queensland Turf Club operating performance?

It is reasonable to suggest that both race-clubs would have been affected by the adverse trading conditions of the past season - the impact of EI and the downturn in the economy – and this begs the question – is one club substantially better off than the other entering into the amalgamation arena and if there is such a financial imbalance, how can it then truly be a ‘merger of equals’?

Food for thought.

The final constant point of agitation is that nobody likes to be bullied.

People in a vulnerable position can often interpret powerful influences as being overbearing, or even playing the part of a bully. The interpretation may be wrong but if they believe it to be true, it adds conflict to the situation.

Queensland Racing, the Principal Racing Authority in the state, by its very nature, has a powerful influence on any racing matters of the day.

A bully, according to one definition, tries to ‘pressure or coerce somebody into doing something.’ In another definition (both taken from the Oxford Dictionary), bully is defined as ‘very good, first rate.’

So which of the bully definitions, if any, applies to the Queensland Racing Authority?

Certainly Queensland Racing’s stated policy during all of this time has been that it is their position that the BTC and the QTC should form one club to conduct metropolitan racing in Brisbane. That policy is unambiguous.

As is the second part of the policy statement which says that Queensland Racing will not plan for a future that includes both the BTC and the QTC.

As is the policy statement that Queensland Racing would not continue to subsidise the administration of either the BTC or QTC in their current form. (In previous years the BTC has relied on an annual $950 000 administration subsidy).

Last, but not least, is the consideration of the future allocation of racing fixtures to the BTC by Queensland Racing if it remains a stand-alone club.

In their ‘Blueprint for the future of racing’ the BTC Board points out it has no influence on the way in which race dates are allocated, and adds, “ít would not be surprising though (in the event of the merger not proceeding) if a greater allocation of metropolitan race dates were allocated to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.”

Why would that be? The comment is not explained so you can formulate your own answer.

From Queensland Racing’s point of view, these conditions relate to their right as the Principal Racing Authority in Queensland to implement sound management strategy ... as in the ‘very good, first rate” definition.

But some would liken those policies to applying pressure and thus would use the other definition mentioned above.

Thus it is that, quite amazingly, these three points – the retention of Doomben as a RACING venue, the degree of truth to the term ‘merger of equals’ and the argument about the role played, for better or worse, by Queenland Racing – will go the distance until the final bell and will still be standing to hear the announcement of the judges scorecard.

Because these are all emotive issues nothing can be taken for granted.

Whichever way the verdict goes, tomorrow will be an historic day.

ALICIA WILLICK MAKES HER MARK

On Saturday, Alicia Willick enjoyed a training achievement of which she can be proud.

Willick, who only has eight horses in training, scored a double on the day with Tellasecret winning the second race at Doomben and Gunsari taking out the seventh race at the Gold Coast.

The timing of the races meant that Willick and her father Larry were able to be on hand to greet both winners.

There was a stark contrast in the manner in which Tellasecret and Gunsari set about achieving victory.

The former prevailed in a pulsating finish, getting the better of a stride for stride battle with Nepro under a determined ride from a revitalised Bobby El-Issa while Gunsari ran right away from his opposition to the extent that the Willicks could applaud his success long before the chestnut actually crossed the line.

“The two horses worked together on Tuesday and I thought, gee they are looking good,” said Alicia, who made the move to the Gold Coast from Taree two years ago. “Now we got the perfect result.

“We moved from Taree because it was just too far from everywhere ... just too much travelling,” explained Alicia, who has trained a double before, which also included a win by Tellasecret.

“Gold Coast was a good choice in itself, and then you’ve got Brisbane just an hour up the road. So it’s been a much better option for us.”

But just how did Alicia get into training in the first place?

Her father Larry takes up the story.

“Alicia went to school with John Tapp’s daughter and that’s where her interest in horse racing started,” said Larry.

“I actually took up training, but I hadn’t a clue ... so one day Alicia put her hand up and said, ‘How about I train and you become the foreman’ ... and that’s what happened.

“She’s taught herself you know,” continued Larry proudly. “Never worked with anybody. Never been shown the tricks of the trade. Purely self taught.”

And getting the results with only eight horses in the yard I reminded him.

“That’s the point you know. You just can’t tell in this game,” said Larry.

“Take Tellasecret for example. He is tough as teak and he is our town horse. You know how I got him? I was interested in buying a particular horse. The asking price was $20 000 and I said that was too dear.

“The fellow said he would throw in a Maiden for that price. The Maiden was Tellasecret, who has now won over $125 000.

What happened to the other horse, the original purchase.

“It broke down,” answered Larry.

“Gunsari’s another example. I bought him sight unseen off an agent I’ve got some time for,” said Larry. “Look how he won today. I know it was only a Class 3 but look how he won.

“I know we’ve been fortunate, but do you see what I mean. You just can’t tell in this game.

“The big spenders who consider every detail. Good luck to them. It doesn’t matter who you are, how big your pocket is, or what research you put into it, you just can’t predict the end result. Which means everybody has a chance.”

For the record Tellasecret has now won eight out of 46 starts, with a further 16 minor placings underlining his honesty, while Gunsari, who completed a double of his own on Saturday, has a race record of four wins from 15 starts with three minor placings.

GRIFFIN PLOTS PATH TO FUTURE SUCCESS

Dan Griffin’s quest for a third successive Gold Coast Jockey Premiership title has kicked off in a tidy enough fashion with the top hoop piloting home a winner on each day of the Gold Coast double-header programme on Friday and Saturday.

Griffin joined the Gillian Heinrich stable two years ago and that partnership has flourished.

The advantages of being attached to a sizable stable are obvious, but so is the fact that Griffin grabbed the opportunity presented to him with both hands to raise his profile to Premiership winning status.

With back to back Premierships on his resume, the question of further ambition comes into play.
“I want to do one more season at the Coast and then make a decision on my future after that,” explained Griffin.

“As far as riding in Brisbane goes, I have touched on the subject with the Heinrichs.”

“At this stage out stable’s horses are not strong enough to fully support any assault I may make on Brisbane and I have learned by experience that you have to have the backing of a serious stable in any centre if you are going to make good there.

“I have a very good relationship with the Heinrichs. Maybe in another year we will be able to build that strength and I’ll also have another year’s experience behind me. We can weigh up our options again then.

“Having said that, I have to stay aware of opportunities that might arise. With the movement of jockeys, some going overseas, doors are opening and I always need to pay attention to what is happening in the city riding ranks.

“Any change will be well thought through though as the timing would have to be right. Hopefully the Heinrichs and I can build momentum together and see where it takes us as I am very happy with the working arrangement I have right now,” concluded Griffin.

But all of the news is not good.

“As of next Thursday I will be out of action for about a month,” confirmed Griffin.

“I’ve had a plate in my arm for many years and in recent months it has started playing up.

"There seems to be something lodged between the skin and the plate and the irritation has now got to the stage where it needs medical attention.”

Griffin calls his enforced break from riding ‘bad timing’. Any unplanned time out always will be just that. But in this case, it should only be a minor hiccup in a bigger plan.

Watch this space.