Steward John Hackett (pictured) leaves the full time staff of Racing Queensland tomorrow after the Caloundra meeting to reportedly go into retirement - and we wish him well. John was the subject of a Racing Queensland Media Release today, which is repeated below.

It is my considered opinion that the Caloundra turf track should be used more often for Saturday metropolitan meetings. Under the present system, Eagle Farm and Doomben share all the Saturday meetings with the Gold Coast being accredited with the main Saturday meeting on Magic Millions day, whilst Ipswich has the main meeting on their Cup day and Caloundra has the spotlight shone on it for their Cup day.

The Caloundra track is as fair to all runners as you’d find anywhere in Australia, with its big spacious 30-metre wide track allowing plenty of movement with the false rail to protect the inside section for black type races such as we have at Caloundra tomorrow.

If anyone saw the Ipswich course proper at their meeting on Tuesday or today, they can see that track is now pretty much stuffed until about October or November, when a bit of grass will start growing again in the warmer weather – and yet Caloundra tomorrow will look fine, even though it cops a lot of racing throughout the year. Caloundra will look far better than say Ipswich, due to having a far more temperate climate range during winter, with allied more consistent rainfall. The surface at Caloundra is also more forgiving, whereas at Ipswich it’s like a rock when it’s hard.

It is my considered opinion that more Saturday “metropolitan” Saturday race meetings should be held at Corbould Park Caloundra to take some of the pressure off Eagle Farm and Doomben. As at yesterday, everyone is supposedly working towards a common goal for the good of the racing industry, so implementing my idea should be easily achieved, as it makes perfect commonsense.

Racing Queensland Limited Chief Handicapper Lester Grimmett has sent the scaled weights through for the Caloundra meeting tomorrow and they are: Race 1 + 4.5 kgs and Race 3 - 0.50 kilo.

Unitab’s Brad Tamer has advised that the following jackpots are happening tomorrow:

The apprentice jockey weights for tomorrow at Caloundra should be:

Today on www.brisbaneracing.com.au I preview the Listed Glasshouse Handicap at Caloundra, on www.sydneyracing.com.au I preview the Listed Civic Stakes at Rosehill, whilst on www.melbourneracing.com.au Tim Hickham looks at Moonee Valley.

Don’t forget you can click on to Dan Costello’s www.racingwrap.com website and look at all his photos from the Brisbane Winter Carnival. I also see he’s got an exclusive on his home page about a Gold Coast jockey who is back from France.

Galilee has filed this report on Adelaide racing tomorrow, which reads:

Well last week I couldn’t believe how badly Galileo’s Dream went, in running you wanted to be on, after turning for home, you wanted to get off. I had to check the Stewards Report to see if anything was amiss; Reported – “GALILEO’S DREAM, which performed below expectations, was examined by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon who reported no visible abnormalities” [Editor please note; The Cat, i.e. = Magnificat, came from last to win this race !!!]

I can only suggest that Galileo’s Dream has not handled the slow going as his form suggested, one placing in three attempts, but at the time of going to press we were a Dead 4. That’s punting. This week we have a Slow 7 and overcast weather predicted. Normally I would suggest a weekend off but nothing ventured etc – we will have a small each way go in the last (Editor’s note – no discipline is the main problem with punters – or tipsters – they’ve just gotta have a “go”).

In Race 8 I suggest that Finniss Storm came improve on recent running – he likes this track, has drawn the one barrier, has 57k’s with the claim, and handles slow tracks. He will either lead or settle just off the pace in this. Some of the favoured runners in this race tend to settle back in the field and will have the job in front of them. By this race the track should be cut up a bit and this will even make it a bit harder for the backmarkers. Finniss Storm is up 200 metres from his last two runs but has winning form to 1600. In fact out of his last three runs the best was his fourth to Akatak over 1600 after which he was found to be lame and spelled.  Finniss Storm is yet to finish out of a place at this track and has never been out of the money in five goes at the distance. He will be good each way odds and that is my recommendation.

Selection: 1 eway.

Racing Queensland issued a Media Release yesterday about Melito and one today about steward John Hackett retiring and both are repeated below: In full they read:

Melito photo mystery solved

Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) stewards have had an opportunity to review further photographs of Melito subsequent to the filly winning the Group 1 Winter Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday June 26, 2010.

Following a black and white image appearing in the Sunday Mail on June 27, 2010, stewards sought a colour copy of the photo which showed a discharge from the right nostril of Melito. A further image of Melito, which is attached to this email, was provided to stewards and they are now satisfied that there was a mucus discharge from the right nostril and no evidence to suggest the filly had bled.

For further information contact RQL chief steward (thoroughbreds) Mr Wade Birch on 0427 608 062.

John Hackett to continue to contribute to racing integrity

Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) today acknowledged the contribution to racing integrity of deputy chief stipendiary steward John Hackett as he moves into semi-retirement.

RQL director of integrity operations Mr Jamie Orchard said John has decided to move into semi-retirement after spending in excess of 30 years as a stipendiary steward across harness racing and thoroughbred racing. “In that time he has made a significant contribution to racing integrity, rising to the position of deputy chief stipendiary steward,” added Mr Orchard.

“John’s wealth of experience will not be lost to racing as he has agreed to remain on the panel of raceday stewards.

“John has proven his value as a steward over a long period, ensuring that all licensees are aware of, and comply with, the standards expected. His ongoing role on the panel ensures that more junior stewards will continue to benefit from John’s vast experience.”

For further information contact RQL director of integrity operations Mr Jamie Orchard on 07 3869 9742.