THE diametrically opposing views of Racing NSW and Racing Victoria in relation to race fields and fees from interstate wagering operators amaze me.
The NSW hierarchy firmly believes a fee (1.5 per cent ) based on total turnover is applicable, while Victoria recently signed a deal embracing a percentage of the operators' gross profit (10 per cent and 15 per cent between October/November - previously it was 1 per cent for bookmakers and betting exchanges and 3 per cent for totalisators).
A group of Northern Territory bookmakers have challenged the NSW fees in the High Court and the outcome will have a great bearing on future revenue streams for the local industry. It will be of particular significance to the country sector.
Until the case is settled or a deal brokered, uncertainly hovers over future budgets and the issues of increased returns to racing participants and levels of prizemoney.
Who has the equation right? Price shows his style You've got to appreciate Nowra trainer Robert Price's handling of a major setback for connections of Step Forward in today's $200,000 Canberra Cup.
Step Forward was initially in the field but after what can only be described as a major stuff up at the Trainers Service Centre, the gelding was relegated to first reserve when it was discovered the Gerald Ryan-trained Ready To Lift had been left out of the 16-horse field.
It was no fault of the ACT Racing Club, Price or Ryan.
Rather than rant and rave, Price shrugged off the disappointment, simply saying, "I guess we would have been first reserve, anyhow, if Ready To Lift was in the initial field".
The cup, like the remainder of the program, is a cracker.
Melbourne trainer Colin Little has added depth to the event by entering Blutigeroo and Ista Kareem. Bellamy scores four Coffs Harbour trainer Brett Bellamy enjoyed a career high with four of the seven winners at Murwillumbah on Monday.
"I've trained four winners before, but with Strategic Partner and Ponbar Duchess running second and third in the last, it tops my best day," Bellamy said. "It's great to go to the races with six runners and return home with six cheques."
Strategic Partner and Ponbar Duchess finished astern of Napper Tandy, the $2.30 favourite.
Bellamy's winners were: Dwyer $6, (Stephen Traecey), Sista Kugah $3.80 (Matthew Chadwick), Deejay's Girl $4 (Chadwick) and Centenn $4.60 (Raymond Spokes).
"It was great to send Matthew [Chadwick] home to Hong Kong with a couple of winners," Bellamy said.
"I think Dwyer will win more races and it was nice to see Deejay's Girl win. She's been a horse that has always been sore. This preparation was her last hurrah. If she went sore again, she was headed to the breeding barn. She must have decided she'd rather be a career woman than baby maker."
Bellamy's top sprinters Sectagonal and Frisco's Vision are back in work.
"Sectagonal looks fantastic. He's been back for two weeks and when he's ready we'll probably head to Brisbane for those good sprint races. Frisco's Vision may go around at Port Macquarie on Monday." Hopkins honoured Great to see Taree's Don Hopkins honoured with life membership of Racing NSW Country at its midweek AGM.
The T administrator has been an integral part of country racing for decades. He joins former Country Racing chairman Stan Hayes as a life member.
Gordon Lindley was elected unopposed as Racing NSW Country chairman, with Bob Pavitt (Clarence River Jockey Club chairman), who has 16 years' experience on the board, elected vice-chairman after Terry Burke opted to stand down after three years in the position. Paterson farewelled A large contingent of mourners gathered in Grafton on Tuesday to bid farewell to former trainer Jim Paterson. Paterson, famous for his yarns, spent his latter years in Grafton after plying his trade successfully in the Hunter Valley and Queensland.
His son, Ian, racing director in Mauritius, returned to Australia for the funeral. Snovember shocker Despite his 24 years of experience, South East Racing Association chief steward Craig Yeo had never seen anything like it: a NSW race meeting called off in late November because of snow.
Last Saturday's Adaminaby meeting was cancelled after three races when heavy snow and hail fell on the track.
"When we first arrived the temperature dropped to about 5 degrees - there was snow coming in like a blizzard," Yeo recalled. "The track was covered in snow. I didn't think there was any way we could run the meeting but it eventually warmed up and the track was amazingly good.
"After the third, however, snow, hail and heavy showers rolled in. There was ice on the track, which made it too slippery, and we abandoned the final races." They're racing TAB meetings: today - Canberra, Grafton; tomorrow - Port Macquarie; Tuesday - Muswellbrook; Thursday - Sapphire Coast; Friday - Mudgee, Coffs Harbour; Saturday - Armidale.
Non-TAB: Saturday - Cooma, Wagga, Parkes. Stable Secrets Accounting: adds up.
The Rock: steady as.
Swarm: mass appeal.
tony_white3@bigpond.com