?EMThese are the people that continue to bemoan the fact that the big money we offer for our own feature races is sometimes raided by interstate visitors.

The same people that would like all our feature-race stakes reduced so that the mainlanders don't come and all the money stays in Tasmania.

If the other states shared those sentiments, Tasmanians today would be $700,000 worse off - the $450,000 won by Beautide in the Interdominion final in Sydney and $250,000 won by Buckle Up Wes in the Australian Cup final in Melbourne.

It was fitting that the monumental achievements of those two animals came just days after the end of the Tasmanian summer racing carnival.

A carnival that saw Victorian horses pinch four of the feature races, but the remaining 20 stay in the state.

Epingle went home with $270,000 of our money (plus a $100,000 bonus, but that was put up by Queensland company Tattsbet), while Derby winner Liberty Leader and Thomas Lyons winner Road Trippin' each left with $60,000.

That's $390,000 in total - well short of the $700,000 now heading in our direction.

The message is simple: racing is a national business and, if we want to head north in search of the big money, we can't complain when the mainlanders pay us the occasional visit.

Finally, two comments from the key players in the famous double-header that sum it all up.

Beautide's owner Barrie Rattray: ``If this is not the best then I don't know what is . . . it's going to be hard to top.''

And Buckle Up Wes' s trainer Ted Medhurst: ``Sensational . . . a dream come true for all concerned.''

 Drivers excel

 JAMES Rattray and Beautide weren't the only Tasmanians to fly the flag at Sunday's Interdominion meeting at Menangle.

Although their achievements overshadowed all else, there were also notable performances from two young Tasmanian drivers.

Dylan Ford gave a copybook exhibition to win the final heat of the Australasian Young Drivers Championship on a $20 outsider.

And, Kate Macleod also gave her drive the run of the race before finishing third in the $50,000 Lady Drivers Invitation.

Ford won two of the closing heats of the junior driver series to finish in second place overall behind New Zealand's Andre Poutama.

Former Tasmanian Josh Duggan represented Victoria, but had no luck, drawing rank outsiders in all but two of the heats.

 No licence

 CONTRARY to reports on Sky Channel and the internet, former star apprentice Jason Maskiell has not become a jockeys' agent.

Maskiell needs a licence to ply that trade, which he doesn't have and is not likely to get while he's under suspension.

It was reported on Launceston Cup day that Maskiell would be working as an agent until he gets his own riding licence back in November.

He has been openly touting for rides on Facebook on behalf of one apprentice jockey, giving his own contact details.

Racing director Tony Murray said yesterday that Maskiell would be ``called in'' to discuss the situation as soon as he is available.

Meanwhile, the stewards also want to talk to him.

They have opened an inquiry into why he failed to leave the mounting yard after the last race on Launceston Cup day, as instructed by the chief steward.

And, they intend to open another inquiry into why he was in the jockeys' room without permission during the meeting.

 Golf day

 THE annual golf day to benefit the National Jockeys Trust will be held at the Llanherne course, Seven Mile Beach, next Monday.

The Ambrose foursome event is open to all players and there are some valuable prizes, including an accommodation package and river cruise.

Entry fee is $60, including lunch, and inquiries should be directed to jockeys' association boss Kevin Ring on 0409 852 990.