Punters braced for new tax hit, Melbourne footy bid creates stir inside Racing Victoria, colours saga isn’t black and white, social media spray fight and ripping good horse

Punters could be set for another tax hike

Australian punters could be set for another big tax hit.

Betsy has been told major bookies now fear Western Australia is almost definitely set to hike the Point of Consumption Tax on punters to 20%.

The result would be nothing but poor for punters – worse odds, less attractive products and likely less investment in West Australian racing.

A review into the state’s racing codes is underway and there seems to be a wide view that the financial state of racing is perilous.

Those with inside knowledge say the government is aware of why raising the tax on punters is a bad idea but believe they have no other choice to keep all three codes alive.

The PoCT is currently 15% but will likely go to 20%.

The review has been slated to look at every important aspect of racing in the state, but crucially its structure, the need for reform and overall sustainability of the sport’s funding models.

The big operators such as Sportsbet, TAB and Ladbrokes have typically adjusted their offerings in Australian states once new taxes are increased.

Now that a tax rise is likely, it’ll be the punter who pays.

The other worry from bookie bosses and racing authorities is the domino effect. Some states PoCT is lower than 20%, such as Victoria and NSW, and they fear if other governments see a precedent to raise taxes, then they won't need much encouragement, regardless of what it does to racing.

Caulfield rumblings inside Racing Victoria

The continual claims from the Melbourne Football Club that an announcement regarding its move to Caulfield is imminent is starting to upset a few inside Racing Victoria. The club is desperate to develop a training base at the racetrack hub.

As Betsy has reported, the racing club, although not closed off to the idea, ain’t so keen.

The issue? The man making the noise that an announcement regarding the football club moving to Caulfield sits on the Racing Victoria board.

Paul Guerra wears two hats in this battle – he sits on the board but also works as the Melbourne Football Club CEO. Both him and his footy club president, Steven Smith, keep telling friendly media an announcement regarding their move to Caulfield is close.

Again, it’s not. There hasn’t been a single meeting of late between the parties, who remain poles apart in what should happen at Caulfield.

The situation, Betsy is told, is starting to grind the gears of senior operatives inside Epsom Road at Racing Victoria, including at board level.

But how can the board address it with Guerra? Surely anything development related at Caulfield raised at board meetings would have to see Guerra excuse himself because of the obvious conflict.

And how would an executive write a board paper essentially saying the football club’s claims are wrong when it’s a member of your own board saying it? It’s messy.

And what does Guerra do if racing decides it's bad for the sport, but the footy club consider it good for them?

Don’t forget there were some on the board who didn’t support Guerra remaining a director given his football commitments, only for Racing Minister Anthony Carbines to extend his term.

Colours saga isn’t black and white

There’ll be no imminent moves to review current racing colours that include a nation's flags, colours or other symbols. There are a number of racing silks that include flags, emblems or a nations colours. Betsy has been told essentially that administrators don’t plan to pick off colours that have been in use for years, but will make a case-by-case call if the need arises.

This will mean boards at racing authorities will need to decide whether certain colours are divisive or offensive. What may be offensive to one, is the pride of another. Good luck making a call on that.

The issue will go to a national stewards conference where it is expected there’ll be a recommendation that Racing Australia take control of any registration. Because as were saw recently with the silks of Brae Sokolski, how can one state so no, another yes, then they can race anywhere?

Social media spray fight continues

Queensland trainer Will Hulbert continues his battle against Victorian Stewards after he was fined for a social media spray.

It all comes back to when Hulbert was due to have a runner in the Blue Diamond Preview back in January but traffic caused by a stolen car crashing meant the horse couldn’t make it.

“Lady Of Five is fine guys. We allowed 2 hours for a 50 minute trip to Caulfield and some retard crashed on the highway and stuffed everything. She will have a jump out Tuesday at Pakenham and race next weekend at Caulfield in the 1000m group 3 Chairman’s”.

In responding to one user the account then posted: “They’re everywhere might go jump in a machete bin so I don’t call anyone a poof”.

Hulbert’s lawyer appeared at a Victorian Racing Tribunal on Monday, where it was revealed he will no longer appeal the guilty verdict, but only the severity of the fine, which was $2,000. His appeal will be heard at a later date.

Write your own gig

We read with interest a story from Newscorp’s Ben Dorries about the appointment of Matt McGrath as Racing Queensland’s new Chairman.

McGrath, of course, penned the review into Queensland racing, making a raft of recommendations.

Some of the crucial changes he suggested were ignored, including the reduction of the tax paid by bookies [to help build turnover and help punters] plus the sale of Albion Park. It’s a curious one.

Can’t be an easy task to essentially oversee racing given what you think significant reforms are needed, but won't happen.

McGrath is a former director of the Cronulla Sharks and Australian Turf Club Chairman.

Regardless, a few weren’t impressed that there didn’t seem to be one Queenslander capable of getting the gig – McGrath will remain in Sydney.

Racing was delayed for some time before the start of the quaddie at Terang while track staff performed some remedial works on the running rail.

Not that they really needed an inside running rail as the ground closer to the fence was a ‘no-go’ zone, with jockeys making a bee line for the outside fence across the meeting.

It’s the second meeting in a row that Terang has had such an obvious track pattern.

Once dubbed ‘the Flemington of the bush’, Terang has been plagued by bias for a number of years now. Hopefully track staff and RV’s track team can sort it out before Cup day, which is imminent

Dance around this one

We’ve written about colours getting rejected but there was one name, as pointed out by Glenn Ingram, that got through Racing Australia.

Tasmania gets another boost

The introduction of Tasmanian Racing to the screens of racing.com was a winner for both parties. So it makes complete sense that more of the state’s racing will make its way onto the Victorian channel. It was announced on Wednesday that three meetings on the 20^th, 27^th and April 17 from Launceston will be shown.