A meeting of trainers in Sydney last night overwhelmingly supported a motion of no confidence in Racing NSW.

The trainers' frustration with the ruling body stemmed from a number of causes :-

• Concern about the Benchmark handicapping system
• Racing NSW's continued inability to program suitable races in suitable locations for many of the horses in work
• Deterioration of training tracks due to lack of money for essential maintenance. Horses are breaking down and owners are moving horses to trainers with access to better training tracks
• The unwillingness of Racing NSW to engage in negotiations with corporate bookmakers to resolve the legal impasse over race field fees

Following the resignation of Anthony Cummings as the Chairman of the New South Wales Trainers Association on the 5th of July, the meeting was chaired by John Rouse, formerly CEO of the NSWTA but not a trainer himself.

Rouse, a staunch supporter of Racing NSW, who owes his position with the NSWTA to Peter V'Landys was reportedly shocked by the no confidence motion.

A flurry of activity at Racing NSW today led to supportive press releases being issued in quick succession this afternoon by the Provincial Clubs, Country Clubs, Jockeys and Bookmakers bodies.

Noticeably absent from expressing support for Racing NSW were the two largest race clubs the AJC and the STC.

Trainers were reluctant to be quoted indvidually because of fear of retribution from Racing NSW.

Using as an example a trainer who was last week fined $1000 for expressing frustration with the controlling body, one trainer told The Virtual FormGuide.

"They can take my license off me if I go public with my concerns."

"If I complain they say I'm bringing racing into disrepute."

One trainer who has no such concerns is Gai Waterhouse, who wrote in her blog:

"I just left the trainers meeting with Racing NSW and I assure you we are a disgruntled lot."

"Prize money is not going up and there is no one willing to listen to our plight and we are treated with disdain and intolerance."

"Us trainers are fed up."

Courtesy of BILL SAUNDERS of TVF, 13/07/2010