Grace Grace, it’s a disgrace

s there something in the water in Queensland? It’s the only explanation. We’ve come to ignore much of what politicians want us to hear, but this one can’t be let go without mention.

Queensland Racing Minister Grace Grace had a real moment in Parliament this week.

“I reckon I am probably one of the best Racing Ministers they ( the racing industry) have ever seen in recent times,” Grace told Parliament. “Let me tell you, we are delivering in spades.” Is she kidding? It’s doubtful Queensland racing has been in worst shape this side of World War 11.

Wonder what she meant by ‘ delivering in spades’. Perhaps that late last year and early this year something like A$ 20 million was spent putting a new surface on Eagle Farm racecourse, which after three carnival racedays was ripped up and millions more is now being spent on a track surface that won’t be available until next April at earliest.

Now, gee, as Racing Minister ain’t that something to be proud of.

Self acclaim is useless when justified. Abhorrent when not. We are reminded of the words of one of our finest and hardest- working politicians, Mike Moore, who once said: “When a politician tells you they are in the game for anything but ego, they have told you their first lie.” Grace hasn’t read that.

Former Wallabies coach, huge racehorse owner and Sydney radio shock jock, Alan Jones, never one to hold back, described Queensland Racing, as a ‘ basket case”. That was during an on- air interview on Sky Racing Australia by Sydney Telegraph racing and sports editor Ray Thomas. The 60 minute One On One show is compulsory viewing.

If it’s true surnames hundreds of years ago emanated from occupations or personality traits, Grace Grace went down a sideroad. Twice.

If you want a proper opinion on the state of Queensland racing ask some of the stakeholders.

Brisbane trainer Liam Birchley, no stranger to New Zealand, would be a good place to start.

In today’s A$ 250,000 Warwick Stakes in Sydney we see Winx for the first time in 133 days.

How important to racing are icon champions? Critical.

The international exposure champions provide for their home country can never be overestimated. Internationally Winx is already rated the world’s best racehorse on grass and the way the pair of American horses rated ahead of her on dirt are charting she may well soon be the best on any surface. All of that without leaving Australia. No amount of money can buy that exposure.

Sunline did the same for New Zealand racing. Yes, she created huge international exposure beating Hong Kong champion Fairy King Prawn in one of the most exciting finishes imaginable in the Hong Kong Mile against world competition, but paradoxically she probably did more when a close and luckless third to Jim and Tonic and Fairy King Prawn in the Duty Free in Dubai. It was one of her greatest performances after being taken on in front by a Godolphin longshot that finished last.

Sydney Morning Herald racing journalist Craig ( Stinger) Young and I watched the race in the Dubai birdcage alongside Jim and Tonic’s French trainer Francois Doumen, rated one of the best of his trade anywhere.

We were the first to congratulate Doumen, even before Jim and Tonic, France’s highest ever stake earner, had pulled up to come back.

In his beautiful French accent, Doumen said: “Thank you, yes, but Sunline was the best horse here tonight.” Even in his finest racetrack moment Doumen, who had not previously seen Sunline, was gracious enough to recognise the Kiwi mare as one of the world’s greatest. Try buying that publicity. Go Winx.

The international exposure champions provide for their home country can never be overestimated.