Bob Bentley (pictured) leads the three codes of racing in Queensland as from today. Will that work? Will the marriage of the three codes prosper all three, or none, long-term? I've got an open mind on the topic, but many don't.

The saying “two’s company and three’s a crowd” is about to get a real strong workout from today - in the Queensland racing industry.

Historically each code can’t even manage to get along within its own ranks, so how the hell will they all get along with each other when under the one roof at Deagon? That would surely be a valid question?

As far as I’m concerned, racing across the three codes has been stuck in reverse gear for many years and is heading nowhere, with the worst impediment to its progress being racing itself, which by its very nature is full of suspicion, innuendo and divisiveness and people who have their own personal interests at heart – and not those of the industry.

Despite all the back slapping that goes on in the incestuous world of racing, race club committees over the last few decades have done very little to improve the lot of racing. It is my considered opinion and long standing view, that at every annual general meeting a race club has - each person who is an office bearer at that club, from the Chairman down to the newest committee member, should have to stand in front of the members of the said club and advise the assembled gathering what new innovations they have personally brought to their club in the last 12 months. Many would stand there like a stunned mullet, or a deer in headlights, as they do absolutely nothing for their club. But would that system ever get introduced? Don’t be stupid - that would make too much sense, but under the present system, there is just simply too much dead wood within the ranks of race club committees, you know the types - people who are basically incapable of coming up with even one new idea annually which could advance their club – and it’s widely accepted that these people are only in their positions, so that they can be "yes" men for the chairman of the club. I say “men”, because the vast majority of women are actually capable of thinking for themselves, as they haven’t grown up with the “boys club” mentality all their lives.

So whether having the three codes being run by the one organization is in effect a good idea or not - only time will tell - but it is my considered opinion that the concept is well worth giving a try too, as like I said before, racing in its present format isn’t heading anywhere, but to oblivion anyway. In fact it’s just a real shame in my opinion that the tens of millions of dollars that gets spent on copious amounts of legal action from within the racing industry couldn’t get injected directly into either improving race club facilities, or prizemoney, as then – and only then – would the industry start to head in the right direction.

Queensland Racing Limited, now Racing Queensland Limited, issued a Media Release, effective from midnight last night which is worth publicly airing here so that readers from all parts of Australia – and internationally – understand the new structure from today, with the associated new name change and new Directors, drawn from the ranks of the three codes.

In full, the Media Release reads:

July 1, 2010 will be an historic and important day for the racing industry in Queensland.

On this day the three racing codes of thoroughbreds, harness and greyhounds became one control body organisation, Racing Queensland Limited (RQL).

RQL chairman Mr Bob Bentley said this coming together of an amalgamated control body to administer all codes of racing in the state will have far reaching positive consequences for all stakeholders.

“The efficiencies and synergies available to a single organisation controlling and directing the future of racing are a huge step forward over the previous silo type approach,” said Mr Bentley.

“Prizemoney is close to the hearts of all racing participants and it has always been my position that prizemoney should be funded through recurring revenue streams to ensure its regularity and sustainability. These efficiencies and synergies will allow Racing Queensland far more flexibility in the allocation of prizemoney and moreover the ability to greatly influence wagering revenue through a coordinated approach to the state’s racing calendar across all codes of racing.

“The financial contribution from the Queensland State Government, effective July 1, of $80m recognising the racing industry’s contribution to the Queensland state economy, will provide upgrades of sustainable infrastructure for racing in Queensland.”

Employees, assets, liabilities and responsibilities of the previous existing racing control bodies, Queensland Racing Limited, Harness Racing Queensland and Greyhounds Queensland Limited, have been transferred to Racing Queensland Limited.

The new RQL board consists of Bob Bentley (chairman), Tony Hanmer (deputy chairman), Bob Lette, Bill Ludwig, Wayne Milner, Bradley Ryan and Kerry Watson.

To lead the new organisation we have a very experienced skills-based board which provides appropriate representation from all codes and will ensure continued success and prosperity for all racing participants and stakeholders into the future through strong control and strategic vision.

The executive management team comprises chief executive officer Malcolm Tuttle with the other executive positions being: Jamie Orchard (director of integrity operations); Paul Brennan (director of product development); and Adam Carter (chief financial officer).

Other notable appointments are Darren Beavis (greyhound racing manager), Damian Raedler (harness racing manager), Brent Leisemann (TAB thoroughbred racing manager), Col Truscott (non-TAB thoroughbred racing manager), Warren Williams (facilities maintenance and development manager), Zac Bryson (chief steward greyhounds), Martin Knibbs (chief steward harness), Wade Birch (chief steward thoroughbreds), Wayne King (manager investigations and operations), Tracey Harris (finance and business manager), David Rowan (information technology and communications manager), Peter Smith (licensing and training manager), and Shara Murray (senior corporate counsel/company secretary).

“With the merger now complete we can now look forward to building a strong and cohesive racing industry in Queensland and we’re confident of a bright future ahead for all those involved in the three unique types of racing in our great state,” Mr Bentley said.