THE SAGA GOES ON AND ON AND ON AND.............
I accept that when it comes to the world of racing, nothing happens fast. Unless of course there is some bad news or scandalous gossip about one of the industry participants. Then things seem to move quicker than a hills bush fire fanned by strong easterlies causing just about as much damage.
Over the past few weeks I have had numerous discussions with industry participants regarding the state of OUR industry, the reduction in stake money and the proposed sale or redevelopment of Belmont Park racecourse. It would appear that there is nobody who doesn't have an opinion one way or another. And so they should. It is after all, the industry they have invested so much of their life, money and efforts in, trying to forge a living and a future. Not just for themselves but their families, their staff and their families.
The participants in the industry (myself included)are as a whole fairly simple people. I do not mean in brain power but in what we expect in return for the efforts we put in. I don't think anyone really expects to own a mansion in Dalkeith overlooking the river or an expensive boat or car. Hopefully we can make the business work well enough to put the kids through school, pay off the mortgage and have something left at the end of the day to be able to enjoy a meal and a drink. Maybe even take a holiday someday. I can tell you in all honesty that most in the industry would be battling to do all of the above. The reason we stick so hard through bad times and slightly better times is basically because we don't know any other life style and the dream and the hope of finding a good horse. One good enough to put our name in lights. One good enough to maybe pay off the mortgage or maybe even a life changing Champion.
That is why when there are obvious problems within the industry, everyone has an opinion. Not because they know the answers but because they get very scared and confused when those in charge, usually those who's livelihoods do not rely on racing, start to tamper with OUR industry.
I have said it before and will say it again. I don't have all the answers but I sure do have a lot of questions. To put it bluntly I am sick of the participants being treated like a mushrooms.
Why can't we be kept up to date with the progress of either the redevelopment or the sale of Belmont. Why can't we be told along the way of what the state of the finances are. Or what has happened to stakes and why. Are we not entitled to know what the Premiere was proposing? Are we not entitled to know if there is another site picked out or mooted to build another race track or training venue? Are we not entitled to have some input into the decision making process of our future? So why do they treat us with such apparent disdain and contempt? Remember guys, its not your industry. You have been entrusted to look after it.
It's an amazing thing that as trainer I have to report every single thing which happens to my horse either pre-race, post race or during a race which may have or may have had an effect on its performance. This is supposed to be for the benefit of punters and for the sake of transparency. TRANSPARENCY?!! Fair dinkum. Maybe someone ought to speak to our leaders about transparency.
I am the first one to admit that we all make mistakes. Nobody gets it right all the time. Not Ted. Not his committee. Not the board at RWWA and not the political party in power on the day. As I said, I don't know all or any of the answers. I reckon having been involved in the industry from a battling apprentice in the early 70's through until my life as a trainer today, has given me a fairly good opportunity to learn plenty along the way.
One thing I learnt long ago was that if you kick a dog often enough, he will eventually turn around and bite you. I think the industry is quickly getting sick of being kicked!
Over the past few weeks I have had numerous discussions with industry participants regarding the state of OUR industry, the reduction in stake money and the proposed sale or redevelopment of Belmont Park racecourse. It would appear that there is nobody who doesn't have an opinion one way or another. And so they should. It is after all, the industry they have invested so much of their life, money and efforts in, trying to forge a living and a future. Not just for themselves but their families, their staff and their families.
The participants in the industry (myself included)are as a whole fairly simple people. I do not mean in brain power but in what we expect in return for the efforts we put in. I don't think anyone really expects to own a mansion in Dalkeith overlooking the river or an expensive boat or car. Hopefully we can make the business work well enough to put the kids through school, pay off the mortgage and have something left at the end of the day to be able to enjoy a meal and a drink. Maybe even take a holiday someday. I can tell you in all honesty that most in the industry would be battling to do all of the above. The reason we stick so hard through bad times and slightly better times is basically because we don't know any other life style and the dream and the hope of finding a good horse. One good enough to put our name in lights. One good enough to maybe pay off the mortgage or maybe even a life changing Champion.
That is why when there are obvious problems within the industry, everyone has an opinion. Not because they know the answers but because they get very scared and confused when those in charge, usually those who's livelihoods do not rely on racing, start to tamper with OUR industry.
I have said it before and will say it again. I don't have all the answers but I sure do have a lot of questions. To put it bluntly I am sick of the participants being treated like a mushrooms.
Why can't we be kept up to date with the progress of either the redevelopment or the sale of Belmont. Why can't we be told along the way of what the state of the finances are. Or what has happened to stakes and why. Are we not entitled to know what the Premiere was proposing? Are we not entitled to know if there is another site picked out or mooted to build another race track or training venue? Are we not entitled to have some input into the decision making process of our future? So why do they treat us with such apparent disdain and contempt? Remember guys, its not your industry. You have been entrusted to look after it.
It's an amazing thing that as trainer I have to report every single thing which happens to my horse either pre-race, post race or during a race which may have or may have had an effect on its performance. This is supposed to be for the benefit of punters and for the sake of transparency. TRANSPARENCY?!! Fair dinkum. Maybe someone ought to speak to our leaders about transparency.
I am the first one to admit that we all make mistakes. Nobody gets it right all the time. Not Ted. Not his committee. Not the board at RWWA and not the political party in power on the day. As I said, I don't know all or any of the answers. I reckon having been involved in the industry from a battling apprentice in the early 70's through until my life as a trainer today, has given me a fairly good opportunity to learn plenty along the way.
One thing I learnt long ago was that if you kick a dog often enough, he will eventually turn around and bite you. I think the industry is quickly getting sick of being kicked!
posted by Lou Luciani at
2:21 pm
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