The plot thickens in Townsville

It will (if it goes to RQ plan) replace the panel that resigned two weeks ago in protest over a Racing Queensland directive to appoint an auditor for 12 weeks at a cost to the club of around $200,000.

The ultimatum - that the committee must agree to the hiring of a Brisbane based auditor within five days - and the subsequent en masse resignations that followed has been the talk of the town - and in racing circles in faraway places.

But it is the action going on behind the scenes that is the worry.

A certain TTC member is canvassing some members of the old committee encouraging them to re apply. And you have to ask for what reason. Is there an agenda or plan already in place?

Why would anyone wish to go on a committee that will be directed to hire the auditor and increase the TTC’s debt to QR to over $400,000?

Maybe it is an opportune time to repeat the words published last week by John Shreck – widely regarded as one of the most experienced racing administrators in the country.

He was formerly chief steward in Sydney where he was known as the Sherriff and was a key figure in some of this country’s biggest racing sensations including of course the Fine Cotton affair. 

He also ruled racing in Hong Kong and is now in retirement in Sydney but is often called upon for his opinion on racing affairs.

He describes the current conflict between the Townsville Turf Club and Racing Queensland as “very unfortunate”.

“I believe that racing control is at its best when it is decentralised ... that is when it is left to its local devices,” he said.

“In that situation the locals encourage others to give their time to keep the sport going and rally the local community to support their efforts ... whereas, if it is entirely administered from outside, locals seem to be less keen to give of their time and support.

“That, to me, has always been a very important ingredient to racing outside of the big cities.” He said

“I don’t know the full details so I can’t comment (on Townsville) other than in general terms, but it is my belief that a controlling body should only need to get involved in race club business or apply pressure on a race club in drastic circumstances.”

The Townsville issue has again raised the general debate about the value to racing of outside consultants.

Over the years I’ve seen high paid consultants come in and work on things and go away ... and nothing much seems to change. Then a couple of years later more consultants are brought in.

Given the history of cost involved and outcomes achieved when using this strategy, it is hardly surprising that the expensive, outside consultant option is seldom welcomed with open arms by racing stakeholders and customers.

Who to believe? The Racing Queensland Brains Trust or John Schreck.

MACKAY too has its problems (still) and there is considerable interest in the upcoming AGM on Sunday December 4.

Chairman Lou Kinsey is in poor health but recently had discussions with RQ re its debt believed to be in the $400,000 range, and a matter that the ailing chairman should not be worrying about.

Seems the club members, apart from a few of the dedicated hard core, that of course includes Lou Kinsey, have lost or are losing interest in a club that has a proud history in racing but has little now to offer apart from a first class racetrack and the memories of the home grown immortals that include George Moore and Dick Roden, to name but two.

And is sitting - some might say precariously - on some very valuable real estate, too.

Really what is the future of racing in the north? A return to Saturday, (maybe some Sundays) racing at Rockhampton and Townsville (alternate weeks) and at Mackay and Cairns is a suggestion.

It is without doubt the mid week TAB racing at those centres is the reason these clubs are going broke. It is that simple.

Yet every Saturday our very own Queensland TAB provides full coverage of meetings at both Darwin and Alice Springs. So the obvious question is......