It’s really hit the fan. Big Bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse and the large Corporate Bookmakers in the Northern Territory are screaming blue murder. They are threatening legal action over the recently passed legislation that will see the racing industry including horses trots and dogs given the ability to charge 1.5 percent of turnover for the right to use their race fields.
It’s estimated in excess of $4 billion dollars a year is turned over by Northern Territory Bookmakers.
Michael Sullivan head of the huge wagering Company “Sportsbet” has been reported as saying they are definitely taking legal action as the 1.5 percent would make the business unviable.
On the other side of the coin New South Wales Racing CEO Peter V’Landy says the estimated $25 million raised by the tax will be put back into the industry and is vital to keeping the industry alive. “We have stablehands, work riders etc trying to live on $30,000 a year. Most of the people who left the industry during the EI disaster last year have not returned,” V’Landy said. He added, “The Northern Territory Bookmakers have been taking money out of the State for years.”
Tabcorp has announced it will be operating in the Northern Territory next month with fixed odds betting and is quite happy to pay any fees required.
The penalties are pretty steep for noncompliance, ranging from fines to jail terms.
We know one big winner out of all this. The Legal Eagles.
Last Saturday at the big Gourmet in Gundy meeting there is no doubt the biggest roar from the crowd came when Burmak, owned by popular President Geoff Makim and his wife Jennifer, commenced his run from the rear of the field as they turned for home.
He had a heap of ground to make up and his chances looked hopeless. Favourite Sequalo Morn and Midori Lad were fighting it out but Burmak with apprentice Glen Butler throwing everything at him dropped from the clouds, getting up in the last bound to score by a neck.
The Locals also had some joy at the recent Warwick meeting. Mu Mu Denmark owned by Mark Sellen and trained by the wiley Rowley White here at Gunsynd Park got the Chocolates and landed some nice wagers in the process.
Two Blokes in a Pub. First Bloke, “I lost control of my car the other day.”
Second Bloke, “What happened?”
First Bloke,“The Finance Company re-possessed it.”
Jockey Chris Munce will finally walk free from a prison cell next month.
Hong Kong Stewards have indicated they will still conduct their own investigation into Munce taking money for tips and he may have to return to Hong Kong for the inquiry.
It’s doubtful if Chris would ever wish to set foot in the place after such a harsh penalty for an offence that would lead to only a disqualification in other racing countries. It is up to Racing NSW Peter V’Landys if Chris is given a license to resume riding.
One of our favorite horses, the previously unbeaten Light Fantastic copped a caning from Weekend Hussler last Sat. Was gone at the top of the straight. The run was completely out of character. Perhaps his slogging first up run has flattened him. Next run will tell the tale.
“They” say one of Melbourne’s most high profile trainers is in lots of trouble after wife caught him with an extremely friendly female strapper.
Wait -There will be more.
“Wives can be smart alecs” Rather Rotund Resident of Baker Street informed Drinking Partner “We were at the Town House Restaurant Sat night and the Waitress asked the Missus how she liked her steak and she said “medium rare”then the Waitress said “how about your vegetable” and the Missus said”He can order for himself”
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