Kah would most likely still be riding had the Airbnb party occurred in Queensland not Victoria

The outcome of the controversial Airbnb party would have been far different in Queensland as calls to fix the state’s broken appeals system grow louder.

Jamie Kah would most likely still be riding if she was based in Queensland. Picture Jay Town

As the state government continues to drag the chain on what changes to the flawed appeals system might look like, no case highlights Queensland’s shortcomings more than the high-profile suspensions of Jamie Kah, Ben Melham, Mark Zahra, Ethan Brown and Celine Gaudray in Victoria.

The simple fact is, had the controversial Mornington Airbnb party occurred in Queensland instead of Victoria, there is every chance the five jockeys would be riding today.

While stewards would have stood down and suspended the jockeys, just like they did in Victoria, the likes of Kah would have been able to exercise their right to an internal review before heading to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) to get a stay of proceedings which are handed out seemingly at will.

From there, it could be as long as 18 months before any sort of decision was reached regarding what the suspension should look like and when it should be taken, all while they are able to ride.

Despite Kah now taking her case to the Supreme Court, the bottom line is she is still banned from riding which would likely not be the case in Queensland thanks to the system which allows those charged with serious offences to continue racing.

Flawed system: Suspended jockeys Ben Melham (pictured), Jamie Kah, Mark Zahra, Ethan Brown and Celine Gaudray would still be riding had the Airbnb party taken place in Queensland.

While calls to fix the broken system have been growing louder by the day for more than three years, the state government has paid nothing but lip service to the issue.

Racing Minister Grace Grace insists the consultation process is in its “final stages” but for every day that goes by, the likelihood of a Mornington Airbnb-style incident occurring in Queensland increases.

Whether you agree with the penalty handed down to the five jockeys or not, it has been swiftly handled by the Victorian stewards before progressing to the Victorian Racing Tribunal.

The state government has garnered a lot of goodwill in the racing community of late but for every day the appeals system is not fixed, all that hard work is slowly being undone.

Queensland deserves better.

*****

Costa’s Victorian conundrum

Gold Coast trainer Michael Costa landed a home-track double on Saturday but he has a possible eye to Victoria with his improving stayer Purrfect Deal.

Costa landed blows with She Can Sing and Morethannumberone in impressive fashion and has earmarked Morethannumberone as a possible travelling companion for Purrfect Deal should he decide to make the trip south.

Michael Costa is plotting a possible Victorian campaign with improving stayer Purrfect Deal Photo: Bill North – The Daily Examiner

Since buying the horse online, Morethannumberone has been a star performer for Costa and the young gun says the sky could be the limit.

“What he did in his last start off a slow tempo, his figures were pretty remarkable,” Costa said.

“We were three-wide today with a little bit of cover but good horses get themselves out of trouble.

“It has taken a bit of time to get him to this sort of level, the horse continues to improve and with those figures who knows where he gets to.”

*****

Samurai fights back

Legendary trainer John Moore’s first metropolitan winner since returning to Australia became his second on Saturday.

After firing a blank at Eagle Farm last start when well backed, Samurai bounced back to his best under jockey Robbie Fradd, nailing Full Nelson in the shadows of the post.

It was fitting the win came at Moore’s adopted home track after the former seven-time Hong Kong champion trainer returned to the Glitter Strip after being forced to retire by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Originally published as Kah would most likely still be riding had the Airbnb party occurred in Queensland not Victoria