Source: The Sunday Telegraph

THE property almost looks deserted. The swimming pool has to be drained, the water walker needs repair, and the training track has to undergo major renovations.

This is Nathan Tinkler’s showpiece private training complex at Canungra in Queensland’s Gold Coast hinterland that has been virtually shut down due to maintenance issues, fuelling wild speculation Tinkler’s racing empire is on the brink of collapse.

None of his Queensland gallopers raced yesterday, at either Eagle Farm or the Gold Coast. And it is unlikely Tinkler’s private trainer John Thompson will start any of them until the end of the month.

The training complex at Canungra is home to more than 300 racehorses and breeding stock and is one of the premier private facilities in Australia.

When The Sunday Telegraph flew over the property on Friday, the horses had rugs on and were roaming in their day yards.

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Tinkler closed down his Melbourne stable operation late last year and sold champion colt All Too Hard, sire Onemorenomore and a Hunter Valley property in a package deal for $25 million, leading to speculation his Canungra complex was the next to go.

Patinack Farm also has 15 horses listed for sale at next month’s Magic Millions carnival after more than 300 were offloaded in a fire sale last year.

The innuendo prompted Tinkler to take the unusual step of issuing a press release dismissing reports he was getting out of Queensland racing. Tinkler said Patinack Farm will undertake major track repair at its Queensland base over the next few weeks after flooding affected it three months ago.

Patinack will transfer its higher-rated horses to Thompson’s Warwick Farm stable for the Sydney autumn carnival but Tinkler said it will be “business as usual back in Queensland” once the maintenance work is completed.

“We have been struggling to hold the track together over the last couple of months since we had severe flooding,” Tinkler said during the week.

“This is now no longer possible and it is a good time of year to be doing track maintenance while the racing is at a lull and grass is available and growing.”

Source: The Daily Telegraph

 Tinkler slammed predictions of the demise of his Queensland racing operation, saying Patinack Farm copped unfair flak “despite its continued huge support of the racing industry and its much-needed involvement in both the racing and breeding industry in Australia”.Tinker reiterated he has no problems with Queensland Racing stewards visiting the Canungra property.

“I would also like to thank stewards for their confirmation that all is well at Canungra; we welcome their visit anytime, as do my staff at both the Canungra and Sydney stables, who continue to do a fantastic job in the face of unfair criticism of Patinack Farm,” he said.

“All horses at the stables are in excellent condition and Queensland stewards confirmed their wellbeing on a regular visit this week.

“They also applauded the general facilities and our decision to upgrade the track after major flooding hit the area.”