Racing unites to query TAB sale
Concerns over a lack of transparency from the State Government on the potential sale of the TAB have led the WA racing industry to form its own lobby group.
Key members of the State's three racing codes will form a group in the next fortnight in a bid to express their concerns to the State Government.
The move was sparked after RWWA chief executive Richard Burt met members of the thoroughbred, harness and greyhound codes at Belmont Park yesterday.
"We will form a group of four or five people from the three codes," WA Racing Trainers' Association president Michael Grant said.
"We're very concerned the State Government isn't allowing RWWA to provide all the necessary information to us. Transparency is what drives the racing industry and that's all we're asking for.
"We know the industry better than anyone and we feel we need to be a part of the process."
The State Government is yet to make a decision on the future of the TAB, which was placed on a list of assets to possibly be sold in the State Budget.
Racing leaders fear the privatisation of the TAB would hurt future distributions to the industry.
TAB growth in the past 12 months was the driving force behind a record distribution of $126.1 million to the three codes for the 2014-15 season.
Meanwhile, unbeaten sprinter Smoko is likely to make a much-anticipated return at Belmont on Saturday week.
Trainers Ross and Clint Price will set Smoko for a 1000m handicap first-up after opting not to trial him at Lark Hill yesterday.
