| For 13 years of my working life I was C. E. O. of | | | | seriously eroded. |
| two thoroughbred racing clubs in two different | | | | Getting back to current policy reforms, it is to be |
| states. It was a great experience, one I enjoyed | | | | remembered that this is taking place Australia |
| immensely, and many great friendships were | | | | wide, in both thoroughbred and harness circles. |
| made and maintained to this day. | | | | Plenty of noise from the affected, but in terms |
| Having training facilities at both clubs brought me | | | | of votes for the Government, it is chicken feed |
| close to the grass roots of the industry. I also | | | | and not, in political eyes, a real threat. It is a pity |
| had a 20 year involvement with 3 harness racing | | | | and a fact of life. The small towns with one or |
| clubs, formerly known as trotting clubs. Be it | | | | two meetings a year, use this social outing to |
| gallops or trots, the trainers were a very diverse | | | | ease the pain of drought which is gripping huge |
| lot. A true and well known saying is that you do | | | | areas of Australia, it is a welcome boost to local |
| not breed horses on the city bitumen, they come | | | | and district business, and once lost, will not be |
| from far and wide establishments, some big, | | | | revived in the future. Do you think the politicians |
| some small, some elaborate, most not too flash. | | | | are losing any sleep over this demise, I think not! |
| I am not a race goer anymore, but I do keep an | | | | Trainers come in all shapes and sizes, and they |
| eye on who is winning, the trainers, jockeys and | | | | are from diverse backgrounds. There is the |
| drivers. My involvement started in 1975, and it | | | | professionals who train large numbers, and win |
| never ceases to amaze me how the same | | | | most races. They attract the wealthy owners, |
| names from those days, still bob up on a regular | | | | who buy top priced progeny, and are ridden by |
| basis. They sure are a hardy group. They are also | | | | the professional jockeys. They have the odds |
| an envious group, sudden success of a trainer | | | | stacked in their favor. But every now and then, |
| often sparks rumours of using illegal substances | | | | along comes a bush trainer with a well above |
| to enhance performance, due credit is rarely | | | | average horse, and to the delight of this large, |
| given. Modern drug testing sorts out most cases, | | | | hardened bush contingent, the joy is shared |
| but now and then I would suspect the smart | | | | throughout the country. You can liken these |
| operators may be one step ahead of testing | | | | trainers to the professional golf circuit, Tiger hogs |
| technology. Fortunately in Australia, an enormous | | | | the TV limelight while thousands of up and |
| integrity system is in place, keeping wrong doings | | | | comers are sleeping in the back seat of their car. |
| to a minimum. | | | | You really could write a book on every race, the |
| Politics are something I have little time for, I | | | | characters being the owners, trainers and |
| would personally like to see common sense take | | | | jockeys, and the chances of each runner pre |
| the place of politics, take vote getting out of | | | | race, compared with the actual results. It would |
| decision making. | | | | be interesting reading. |
| A case in point is before us right now. More of | | | | Over the years the racing industry has |
| this subject shortly. Horse properties, and owner | | | | encountered many ups and downs, but the most |
| trainers, are dotted throughout the country. They | | | | progressive move that I have noticed is |
| constitute a large percentage of the owners and | | | | diversification. The main carnivals have been |
| trainers ranks. Small country towns with a race | | | | enormously boosted by introducing ladies and |
| track conducting one or two meetings a year, | | | | gents fashion to the fore, and the crowds love it. |
| and in lots of cases providing some training | | | | So do the racing authorities, it was a winning |
| facilities, are under threat of closure. | | | | move that I applaud. Just the medicine required to |
| Why?Because the cost of maintaining the facilities | | | | cover otherwise tough times. |
| for training purposes, is not, in the eyes of the | | | | My sympathy lies with the country clubs, owners, |
| powers that be, justified. It is quite alright for | | | | breeders and trainers, I do not know what your |
| these stalwarts to produce horses to eventually | | | | answer is, you lack votes, and unfortunately |
| compete in city or near city meetings, and to | | | | always will. But in 20 years time, I bet the |
| breed a foal or two each year, but to continue to | | | | majority will find a way out. City people pool cars, |
| train means costly transporting horses many miles | | | | country trainers will no doubt pool floats, new |
| to a supported training facility. It is a rare deal, | | | | mateships may result, I would rather have a |
| they have my sympathy, but in the end the | | | | friend than a politician! God bless the bush. |
| numbers of owner trainers and horses will be | | | | |