The verdict: Brisbane Racing Club secures new deal with Sky Racing
The specifics of the new TV deal between Brisbane Racing Club and Sky Racing are yet to be revealed, but one key component of the long-term agreement will have punters cheering.
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After a protracted negotiation process, the Brisbane Racing Club and Sky Racing have announced a new broadcast agreement to showcase Brisbane racing.
It was revealed last week in an article on racenet.com.au that the two parties had agreed to terms and both entities confirmed it on Saturday.
“Sky Racing and the Brisbane Racing Club have reached a long-term agreement to showcase racing at Eagle Farm and Doomben,” a statement said. “This agreement will provide outstanding coverage for the Brisbane Racing Club’s meetings, delivering a cutting-edge service to racing fans.
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“Sky is pleased to build on its long-term relationship with the Brisbane Racing Club and looks forward to continuing to work with the broader Queensland racing industry across all codes on their future media rights.”
The specifics of the new deal are yet to be revealed, but it’s likely a “fixing of the clock” is one component, as evidenced by a greater time difference between the Gold Coast and Rosehill on Saturday.
Negotiations on a deal for the remainder of Queensland thoroughbred clubs, as well as harness and greys, continue.
Bum steer on track upgrades
Another feature meeting at the Gold Coast and another deafening silence on when, if ever, the proposed upgrades the club has been seeking for more than a decade will be green-lighted.
Despite several insistences the project would be approved by both state government and Racing Queensland, the $30 million-plus development remains in limbo.
It is understood the club has another proposal that would require less funding, but still completes the much-needed track upgrades. There is no word on whether it might happen either.
With the state election scheduled for this year, it’s looking increasingly likely this will mark another term of government where the project has been snubbed.
On another front, the Gold Coast feels it was left short-changed in the latest round of compensation payments to clubs, which were specifically related to loss of the carnival.
It is understood the Brisbane Racing Club was allocated $1.2 million, Ipswich $400,000 and Sunshine Coast $300,000, compared to the Gold Coast’s $132,000. Townsville ($180,000) and Rockhampton ($114,000) were also included in this round of payments.
It is expected a third wave of payments to clubs will be announced as the COVID-19 shutdown of public events continues.
Meanwhile, relations between Racing Queensland and the BRC remain frosty.
Between the abandonment of the carnival, subsequent reinstating of some races and the protracted media rights negotiations, the respective Ascot and Deagon camps have had some heated clashes over the past few weeks.
Get the people on track
The BRC, along with the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, are putting together a plan to take to Queensland Health, Racing Queensland and QRIC in a bid to get patrons back on track as COVID-19 restrictions ease. The proposal will include having multiple zones that are capable of meeting social distancing expectations, plus the likelihood of having a registration requirement for those wanting to attend.
Dawn rises up charts
Dawn Passage surged to the top of Stradbroke betting after taking out the Inglis Guineas at Rosehill on Saturday, but quite a few others also rocketed up the charts.
John Thompson’s Fituese continued her climb through the ranks by claiming the Denise’s Joy Stakes at Rosehill.
Dawn Passage is likely headed to the Fred Best Classic with Gold Coast Guineas winner Hightail, while Fituese also has the option of the Helen Coughlan on the same day, another race that offers a ticket into the Stradbroke this year.
The Adelaide form is looming strong again, with Trekking and Lyre big firmers after finishing first and third respectively in the Group 1 Goodwood.
Tough choice
Robbie Fradd wouldn’t be drawn on which is the best two-year-old he’s ridden this season after winning the Ken Russell on Wisdom Of Water.
Fradd won twice on Rothfire earlier in the year while Jim Byrne was sidelined, but has also been on Wisdom Of Water in each of his five runs.
“Wisdom Of Water was shin sore the day they met. That wasn’t him. He’s progressed ever since,” Fradd said. “It will be interesting, but I think my horse is a very nice horse. He’s got all the ability a good horse should have.”
Wisdom Of Water exploded out of the barriers and nothing could catch him. A seriously good horse 😱@EdmondsRacing @RaceQLD pic.twitter.com/BAIPwjNtlG
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 16, 2020
Where’s our cash back?
One thing we have become accustomed to during the COVID-19 lockdown has been the bombardment of advertisements from betting agencies promoting Australian racing, which is one of the rare sports that you’ve been able to bet on anywhere in the world.
As the de facto Queensland carnival moves into its second week, it was noticeable by its absence last week in the money back offers being promoted.
TAB and a host of corporate bookmakers were promoting money-back specials for meetings in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, but no mention of Brisbane. Apparently there will be some love coming this week for the Sunshine State as the feature races head to Eagle Farm.
From scorned to adored ...
Fans of winter carnival hall of famer Rough Habit will be keen to get their hands on a new book by author Ken Linnett detailing the life of the gelding.
Rough Habit, an Unlikely Champion details the story of how an ugly duckling overcame “scepticism and scorn” to become adored on both sides of the Tasman.
Linnett, who previously penned a book on Tulloch, has had an affection with New Zealand horses dating back to Rising Fast and his admiration shines through in the pages of this book.
Warning signs
Should the betting public be made aware of horses that have been swabbed pre-race?
Specifically, those horses that react adversely to having blood taken in the lead-up to a race.
It’s been a subject of discussion between Queensland trainers and QRIC in recent times, following an incident at the Sunshine Coast last month where a fancied runner became extremely agitated in what was a drawn out process taking blood.
Following the incident and after discussions with trainers’ representatives, QRIC confirmed their policy position as such: “If as a result of the taking of a pre-race sample a trainer believes that the racing performance of a horse is likely to be adversely affected, the trainer will have the right to approach the stewards and withdraw the horse.”
It didn’t hurt on Saturday. Of the 20 horses tested pre-race, seven of them won and two ran second.
Union idea given punt
A plan to develop a punters’ union has so far mostly fallen on deaf ears among principal racing authorities, despite receiving an overwhelming response from punters on social media.
Punters’ advocate Richard Irvine proposed the idea last week and wrote to the PRAs in each state, floating the proposition of an annual meeting where any issues punters have can be brought to the attention of authorities in each state.
Racing Victoria responded to the initial letter so far.
Irvine said the key issues at the moment include deductions and an overhaul of the minimum bet limits. “To be honest, I think things are going well at the moment and racing authorities deserve to be congratulated for the incredible job they have done to keep racing through COVID, but it would be nice to have a platform where punters have the opportunity to push their agendas,” Irvine said.
Originally published as The verdict: Brisbane Racing Club secures new deal with Sky Racing
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