May'09 - Greyhounds Queensland

Pat MarchantOwen EdmondsGBOTA NewsViews and Policy of QGBOTA.Views of the QGBOTA are that there is a need for the Board of GreyhoundsQueensland to explain financing of the Logan track without the closure ofAlbion Park and the takeover of their funds.Bearing in mind the project needs to be completed in the near future.The board also needs to assure the industry there will not be any ongoingcosts to manage methane gas problems and possible carbon tax.Unless the industry can be assured on these points, we prefer to see the$10 million be directed to the Gold Coast club for establishment of a greyhoundracing track.We do not support the closure of the Capalaba track at this time.The policy of the QGBOTA is for the maintenance of three tracks i.e.Brisbane, Ipswich Logan/Gold Coast.AFGBOTA CONFRENCE held in Sydney on Good Friday was attendedby Qld, NSW, WA and SA and the main topic of discussion was the use of theMicrochip in the racing greyhoundIt was a unanimous decision by all states not to have it introduced into thegreyhound industry at any time for several reasons.Change of MeetingsThe meetings of the QGBOTA will be held at Capalaba club on Sundays.The first of these meetings was to be held last month but was called offdue to the flooding of the Capalaba track. Thank you all committee personswho turned up to lend a hand in cleaning up the surrounds and the track sothey could be back racing the following week.The next meeting of the QGBOTA will be held at Capalaba on May 3starting at 11am.Yesteryear's ChampsUNRULYA son of Kelly Jones-Skillful he was owned by Mrs RH Waiters. Unruly began his careerin a big way in 1980 by becoming the youngest ever to run in the Timberline Stake in Denver.He went on to win the $120,000 Hollywoodian in 1981.In his bid for New England’s Triple Crown, he finished second in the Rhode Island Derby,fourth in the Wonderland Derby, and was a finalist in the American Derby. He reached thefinals of the Biscayne Irish-American Classic, ran second in the Biscayne Derby, and finished1981 by running second in the Flagler International. In 1982 he qualified for the Floridianin Hollywood and repeated his victory as champion of the Hollywoodian.He was named 1981 Captain of the All-American Team and was the 1981 Flashy SirAward winner. His purse earnings of $190,000 was a record.Ear branding, marking-up andclearances for nominationQueensland licencees can now have littersear branded and marked up and greyhoundsmarked up for naming at no charge.Brisbane & South East QldGraham Haswell is available at thefollowing times for the marking up ofgreyhounds for naming and the clearance ofthe greyhound’s registration certificate forracing and/or other purposes.Proof of vaccination may be presented atthis time.Ear branding and marking up of litters isby appointment only.Ipswich: Every Thursday Night 6- 7.30pm(kennel block)Mango Hill Trial Track: Last Sunday ofmonth 8-9amContact: 54796640 or 0419 726773.North QueenslandEach greyhound club from Bundaberg toCairns has an appointed ear branding andmarking-up steward.Licensees may present their greyhoundto an authorised marking up steward formarking up for naming and registration andthe clearance of the greyhound’s registrationcertificate for racing and/or other purposes.Proof of vaccination may be presented atthis time. Stewards will not travel for thispurpose.Ear branding and marking up of litters isby appointment only.Bundaberg Vince Visona 41516967RockhamptonGarry Moore 49398640 or 0400857846Mackay Neville Jackson 49576084TownsvilleMal Braunberger 4780 4798 or 0407 181307Cairns Emma O’Connor 40913316BernieCuleyLeaders come some do stay, others just pass throughSome make changes to the good, others never doIn this sport of racing hounds, leaders aren’t just madeA knowledge of the trainer’s need, is vital to this tradeAnd so it was with one such bloke, a rarity by farAs Bernie Culey showed us all, as he run CapalabaFor many years this place did hum, a pleasure that it wasTo spend the afternoon down there, to fitten up your dogsBut all good things will end some day, no one stays foreverAnd Bernie he is human too, he’ll find a new endeavourAnd as he has at this track, give to it his fillI’m sure he’ll find another task, if he doesn’t Maureen willI usually don’t hand accolades, unless they’re well deservedBut I rate this chap among the best, I ever have observedAnd for the follow up in charge, a challenge has been setBut don’t feel sad it’s not that bad, you’re following the bestI heard it pays to watch him, if you send him to the trackAs Maureen did some years ago, with a dog she’d often backedHe was meant to take the maiden dog, but took the free for allDown to Beenleigh quallies, but the stewards twigged beforeAnd something else one never does, is let him near that creekWhen he’s sitting on that tractor, that creek bank’s pretty steepNo one knows just how he did it, but he wound up in the drinkHe’s safer in an office chair, where he’s paid to sit and thinkCapalaba will carry on, though Bernie will be missingBut I believe we are better off, from the Bernie Culey lessonHe showed them all just how it’s done, and if they are awareThey’ll take a page from Bernie’s book, on how he filled that chairSo may the future give to you, a share of what you gaveAnd if by chance you’re passing by, don’t forget to waveI do believe you’ve made a mark, and gathered much respectFrom all of those that think this way, we wish you all the bestThe (May, 2009) Journal Page 26