TAB in the business of backing bush racing

Anyone who has had the chance to participate in a country race meetinginvariably comes away with glad tidings. They have a charm all their own.

``May they carry on forever", is an abiding resolution among visiting city slickers in particular.

Country residents like M.K. Perkins of Dubbo (Weighing In, Sept 27) are right to be wistful about the sometimes parlous state of racing in the bush. After all, country race meetings are not only apt to lift local spirits, but they are a part of the economic lifeblood of several regional centres, providing jobs, attracting tourists, adding to local commerce and promotion of the district.

But let's cut to the chase.

Raise the spectre of country racing ``teetering on the brink" by all means. That is a legitimate subject of debate and feeling. But moaning about the so-called big, bad TAB green giant in this context is about as helpful as teats on a bull. And it doesn't stand up to scrutiny in the truth stakes, either.

Perkins may be surprised to learn TAB Ltd is passionate about, and supportive of, county racing. For a start, common sense provides that country racing in a healthy condition is a whole lot better for the TAB's wagering division than country racing in a poor condition.

Race meetings not held are of no use to the TAB's financial position. Successful meetings, whether in the city or country, are helpful, which is why TAB Ltd was able to pay NSW Racing, the body that represents all three racing codes in this state, $191.9million during 2001-2002.

It is why TAB payments to the industry as a whole cover almost 80 per cent of the costs of staging racing in NSW. There are now close to 2000 TAB agencies and outlets across NSW, employing many hundreds of people. Why Sky Channel now provides up to 120 hours of live racing a week the most of any TV network in the world.

Why 2KY Racing Radio has a network signal that goes to 75 per cent of NSW, providing race calls every day, and why TAB Ltd and NSW Racing executivesrecently got together to cement a new relationship that promises to assist the wellbeing of the racing codes across the board.

TAB Ltd does not have the power to program racing or determine where and when meetings are held. We take the bets. But in taking the bets, we know where our bread is buttered and that means we do care.

G Cassidy

Corporate affairs manager,

TAB Ltd

If you have something you would like to say on racing, in fewer than 500 words, email it (with no attachments) to smhsport@smh.com.au or send it to: Racing editor, The Sydney Morning Herald, GPO Box 506, Sydney, 2001.