At least once and possibly twice a week trainers are receiving texts which tell them that the deadline for nominations scheduled for that day have been extended by “x” number of hours due to a lack of horses in all or particular races programmed for that meeting.. Two meetings, Redcliffe on Wednesday night, and Albion Park Saturday night appear to be immune from this particular embarrassment. Perhaps the reasons are, Redcliffe , aimed, to in some measure to benefit the hobbyists, (lower prizemoney and night time slot, allowing trainers that work a day job to get to a meeting where they may be competitive, and not lose wages to be there),. Top prizemoney at Albion Park Saturday ensures a majority of full fields. Three trainers have moved south, Stuart Hunter, Shane Sanderson and Narissa McMullen, taking approximately 40 horses from the racing pool. The shortfall of horses existed before that particular migration took place, and, in fact, the traditional September shortage, blamed on 2-3 and 4yos going for an end of season spell has continued on, worsening week by week. Short fields only attract less turnover than the far from buoyant figures attributed to harness in Queensland. One cant imagine any of the preceding matters to inspire any confidence in potential owners, it certainly has not inspired the punters. The current administration does not actually exist, consisting as it does of Mr Justice Muir and RQ’s interim CEO, Mr John Hall. Far short of the seven decision makers we were promised and operating with no transparency what so ever. There is a potential entry point for owners, trainers, drivers and above all horses and it is the Marburg trials. To date, we have received very little real consideration from the powers that be on the matter of official trials. THE MPA WANTS TO DO SOMETHING WHICH WILL ADDRESS THE SHORTFALL OF HORSES AND PARTICPANTS IN A PRACTICAL FASHION.. I CALL ON THE RACING MINISTER TO ASSIST IN THESE MATTERS!
D Smith, QLD
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
