October
MarchFeed the little fish
On Racing.com (23/2) Darren Gauci told Terry Bailey that there are not enough non-TAB races in Victoria.
Darren’s perspective related to such meetings helping to further the education of young and inexperienced jockeys, but let’s not forget the benefits to the smaller players — the trainers, jockeys and horses being steamrollered by the “biggies”.
Queensland conducts at least four non-TAB meetings on Saturdays at places spread far and wide and they are essential to service the entire state.
The standard prizemoney for restricted races at those meetings is $7450, but that’s almost twice the money available on Victoria’s picnic circuit, which is wholly focused in the east of the state, distinctly disadvantaging those out west.
If Queensland can do four non-TABs, surely there’s room for at least one a weekend in Victoria, bearing in mind that the picnic season doesn’t extend beyond autumn.
If Racing Victoria needs to skim a little of the cream from the millions of dollars being swallowed up by the mega-stables, so be it.
It’s only fair because it will never be equitable.
Black Range (Vic)