TBQA news – More prizemoney needed

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MORE PRIZEMONEY NEEDED
WHO WILL GET RACING’S VOTE?
The Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association would like all parties running for the State election to outline their policy for the racing industry, which is in crisis.
The Victorian Government recently agreed to inject a further $18 million into VOBIS which will increase the value of a $12,000 maiden to $38,000, a $70,000 city race to $113,000 and an ordinary Saturday race to $125,000.
“This certainly makes Queensland Racing prizemoney, and our QTIS program look extremely ordinary,” said TBQA President, Basil Nolan.
Our newly revised QTIS program offers bonuses of $45,000 for two and three-year-olds in standard metropolitan races, $15,000 bonuses on provincial races and $5000
bonuses on country races.
Under the recent changes to QTIS, every 2yo and 3yo Metropolitan Saturday and Public Holiday race will be worth $95,000. There are 305 Provincial races of $25,000 and 185 country races of $10,000.
“QTIS is a terrific program, but still doesn’t compete with the other States,”
said Mr Nolan.
“We have often requested the State Government for further financial assistance for thoroughbred racing, along with changes to the QTIS administration which we believe would greatly improve prizemoney distribution, but our pleas constantly fall on deaf ears.”
Mr Nolan said millions of dollars are spent on industries such as mining, tourism and manufacturing. So often we see Government handouts and then a few years later those companies relocate off-shore, leaving hundreds of people out of work and no benefits for our economy. Any money the Government invests in racing will remain here.
The Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association would like to know what each political party intends to do to save the Queensland racing industry.
Racing is the fourth largest industry in the State. We both directly and indirectly employ hundreds of thousands of people and inject billions of dollars into the economy annually. However our industry is at threat due to Government ignorance.
The Government takes billions of dollars in taxes through gambling and puts virtually nothing back to help stimulate the industry.
Mr Nolan said you only need to look at the devastating affects Equine Influenza had on the State’s economy, when racing was forced to cease in 2008. We are slowly heading down that same path due to the Government’s total inaction.
“How can we ever compete with Southern markets with the (lack of) financial incentives offered here?” asked Mr Nolan.
“If something is not done shortly to improve our prizemoney and bring us in line with the other States we will see an even greater hemorrhage of our industry and eventually the Government coffers will be affected.
“Unfortunately, by that time it will probably be too late to redeem.”
While there has been assistance with race club infrastructure on the Gold Coast, this does not keep participants in our industry. Owners and trainers need the prizemoney – that is what attracts them to the sport and the more lucrative the financial gains, the more money the Government will make through turnover. You have to spend money to make money!
Just look at the success of the Magic Millions Carnival. It is the State’s largest tourist event, generating millions of dollars for Queensland. Tourism Queensland invests heavily into the promotion of this event and it proves how popular, successful and financially lucrative racing can be.
“How much does this event generate the State Government in tourism, hospitality and betting turnover?” asked Mr Nolan.
“This could be achieved right across the State every weekend, although on a much smaller scale, if the industry had the financial support it needs and deserves.”

The TBQA has no political affiliation. We are asking all political parties to publicly outline their racing policy. There are hundreds of thousands of people whose livelihoods are at stake in this industry and they want to know that their future will be secure.

HIDDEN DRAGON’S PRINCESS
Queensland-bred filly, Mafia Princess, has scored the biggest win of her career – the $100,000 Magic Millions Rockhamption 2YO Plate (1100m).

Sent to the lead from the outset by Scott Galloway, Mafia Princess was then able to slip clear of her rivals at the top of the long straight and then hold out the red hot favourite Snipzu to win in a thrilling head bobbing photo finish.

A $10,000 bargain buy for part owner and trainer Leigh Wanless, Mafia Princess is a daughter of Hidden Dragon (pictured) and was offered for sale by the farm which stands the sire, Lyndhurst Stud Farm – as agent for breeder Bill Kajewski.

“She was lean and mean,” Wanless said when asked why he bought Mafia Princess.

“And you saw that in the race when she looked back at Snipzu, flicked her ear and refused to let her go past.”

“My wife Lee actually picked her out at the sales. She liked her and we bought her for $10,000.”

One of 75 impressive winners by Danehill’s sire son Hidden Dragon, Mafia Princess is one of three winners produced by the winning Raise a Stanza mare, Eureka Blues.

Mafia Princess is a graduate of last year’s Magic Millions QTIS Yearling Sale along with the likes of Lady Colours, Discreet, Love Laughing and Doubtfilly.

Past QTIS Sale graduates include the likes of Shocking, Buffering, Punch On and Spirit of Boom.

The 2012 QTIS Yearling Sale will be held at the Gold Coast on March 18 and 19.

The Magic Millions Rockhampton Program saw some sensational results for Queensland-bred runners.
The three 2yo events were well-supported with a total of 27 starters.
Race 1 – QTIS Class 1 Hcp (1600m) : Damn Good Idea (Greenwood Lake)
Race 3 – QTIS 2yo Maiden Hcp (1050m) was a Queensland-bred trifecta:
Savage Young Blood (Monashee Mountain) pipped Hidden Prayer (Hidden Dragon) at the post with Rocket Warrior (Falvelon) rounding out the first three home.
Race 4 – Colts, Gelding & Entires Maiden Hcp (1100m) : All to Advance (Bagger Vance)
Race 6 – Magic Millions Plate (1100m) Mafia Princess – Hidden Dragon
LYNDHURST’S INTERNATIONAL DOUBLE
Lyndhurst Stud is celebrating an impressive International winning double, including the first leg of the prestigious Golden Horseshoe Series in Singapore.
Sequalo’s 2yo gelding, Griffin (pictured), led from barrier to box to claim the $75,000 Inglis Melbourne Juvenile Stakes (1000m), the first leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe Series.
The Singapore Golden Horseshoe Series is a seven race series with $1million up for grabs and culminates with the running of the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe over 1200m in May.
Trainer, Theo Keiser, purchased Griffin for A$46,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling Sales and has almost recovered the purchase price with this first win.
On the same program Lyndhurst’s other top sire, Hidden Dragon also had a winner when Danzig Rocket took out the $55,000 Huat Chai Handicap over 1000m.
It was a hard-fought three quarter length victory for the 4yo, but he still recorded the fastest of the three 1000m races on the program.
This was Danzig Rocket’s second start from a spell after suffering a respiratory illness in December.
“He was in need of a rest and he was fitter for his run last time,” said Trainer, Dr Yeoh Kheng Chye.
“He also was down in class which helped.”
Danzig Rocket has had three wins and seven placings from sixteen starts, winning more than $160,000 in prizemoney for his connections.
COMMANDING VICTORY
A valuable victory by Toowoomba-based 2-year-old Robert’s Command (pictured with connections) has carried Wattle Brae Stud resident stallion Court Command into second-place on the 2011/12 First Season Sires listing based on progeny earnings.

Robert’s Command ventured to Dalby to take his place in the $50,000 QTIS 600 2YO Plate over 1000 metres.

The victory saw Court Command claim second place on the 2011/12 First Season Sires listing with progeny earnings of over $113,000.
Court Command has now been represented by no fewer than 13 starters, of which Little Critter and Robert’s Command have been notable winners, and Sasa Motte Koi, Pure Shores and Court It All have placed.
PROMOTE YOUR QTIS YEARLINGS NOW
TBQA Vice President, Stan Johnston has kindly offered to help promote Queensland-bred yearlings in the approaching QTIS sale.
If you have a QTIS Sale yearling that is a full or half sister/brother to a winner over the next few weeks, please contact the TBQA office – info@queenslandbreeders.com.au
and provide us with the information.
All the details of the winner and the QTIS yearling on offer will be outlined in Bushbeat, sponsored by Craiglea Thoroughbreds, which airs on Radio TAB at 10.30am Tuesdays.