The scantily clad 'fillies and mares' were to be released from inside the starting stalls; but Queensland Racing chairman Bob Bentley stopped the race from going ahead, as he thinks it does nothing for the image of making the Gold Coast as a city of repute. Many others have slammed the idea as tacky and demeaning, including Queensland's top female horse trainer, Gillian Heinrich.
Then turf club chairman Andrew Eggleston came up with a solution. Athletics Queensland will now run the event with proper track athletes and beach sprinters as a fund-raiser for Surf Life Saving.
Interstate turf clubs have liked this idea, they're keen to run 'heat events' in future years.
However, the Turf Club may have the last laugh as they have said they will do the 'Fillies and Mares' race in front of the grandstand if they cannot do it on the track – they have full control of the grandstand.
(www.news.com.au/travel/news/racing-queensland-bans-in-bikini-horse-race/story-e6frfq80-1225932301612?area=travel)
So there you have it. An old idea that was done in the eighties and a bit like the meter-maids moving from the footpath to the athletic track.
But has anyone asked the scantily clad 'fillies and mares' (as stated in the article) . Well, it seems as though there are any number of willing participants for the $5000 prize money.
Will Athletics Queensland be happy to host such an event? One might think it's a bit out of their line considering the 'amateur hour' book of rules athletes in Australian 'non-professional' sports need to abide with.
Will the Fashion and Model industry agencies be invited to check out the talent and perhaps offer contracts for those that are 'quick on the hoof'.
Or is this just a beat up to gain publicity for the turf club that with the GFC and the economy in difficulties, the racing industry is feeling a nasty pinch.
Only on the Gold Coast! Then we learnt about the 'pageant girl war' between the Indy 500 Pageant girls and the Super V8 Pageant girls.
(www.couriermail.com.au/news/grid-girl-turf-war-erupts-on-coast/story-e6freon6-1225941294001)
As I pondered these issues, I for one, cannot help but consider how I as a Christian man responds to all this. I for one, am in this constant reflection mode, as so many similar 'remarkable' stories come to light.
As a Christian, it is hardly appropriate to run away, rather to embrace the discussion, listen and make a contribution.
In my view, it is important that we reflect theologically on what such real-life-drama-stories says to each one of us, as how in turn we relate our thinking and discussions with others about our society.
If there is one thing I've learnt over 33 years in Ministry is that once a discussion opens up, its surprising how many of the silent majority think as do you. That is a starting point!