Tuesday, 7 August 2012:
One of Australian racing's most senior officials says a police investigation into an allegation of race fixing in Victoria may be merely a tactic to help solve a bigger crime.
Victoria Police say the allegation emerged during the investigation of the murder last year of Sydney racing identity Les Samba.
They have not disclosed a direct link between the allegedly "fixed" race run at Cranbourne in April last year and Mr Samba's murder in Melbourne two months earlier.
But reports in Fairfax newspapers and on ABC television say the race fixing and the murder are connected and are part of widespread corruption in the racing industry.
The reports also highlighted the involvement in racing of organised crime figures.
Newly-appointed Australian Racing Board CEO Peter McGauran repeated assurances from Victorian racing authorities that the sport is clean, suggesting an alternative motive for the investigation.
"When you strip it all away there is no doubt in my mind this is the police pursuing the Les Samba murder inquiry," Mr McGauran said.
"It has been orchestrated by police to further their inquiry."
While he questioned the motives of the police, the former federal minister says there could be a positive aspect to the attention the affair has focused on the racing industry.
"If any good comes out of this by giving racing bodies more power to investigate their industry it will have achieved something," he said.
"But I would caution Victoria Police against using racing as a whipping boy in the pursuit of their inquiries."
Comment was being sought from police.
 | | Posted by maccamax, on 10-8-2012 10:20:47 PM
I have owned black type win and placed metro horses Sydney.... I was fortunate to have prizemoney pay for my few years as an owner.
I gave ownership away near to 20 years ago for the reason of the dishonesty and "punters Club " team attached to the stable I had training.
You guessed it ... One of the Jockeys mentioned in the 4 corners programme was the Godfather of the years of which I speak.
I must state .. racing people , especially owners , trainers and other connections who continue to employ these Frauds are as guilty as they are .
Racing has died... needs to be buried
. ”
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| | Posted by Anonymous, on 10-8-2012 8:59:01 PM
any sport with money to be won will never be 100% clean,despite the best efforts of stewards, officials, whoever
this is simply a dig at racing by the abc, probably the very same groups who camp outside jumps racing meetings campaigning for its termination ”
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| | Posted by monster, on 9-8-2012 3:21:39 PM
I agree with you anonymous,I to am a trainer.I knew of dealings 2 years ago with big Tony and certain jockeys.I told a certain steward about it and he wanted nothing to do with it.Maybe if he listened all this would have never happened.I have just the other day emailed the stewards with information they should know about and asked Terry Baily to contact me..and guess what still waiting.And I wonder why.Next week I will be contacting press over these matters,and only because there are death ears at racing victoria. ”
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| | Posted by Intrepidarts, on 9-8-2012 2:02:24 PM
As a whistle! your kidding yourself if you don''t think the stewards are constantly working to keep the game on the path - draw some form of credit to the board that allows you to draw passions into the sport of kings day in day out. SO YOU THINK he said she said draws away from the combination of racing put yourself on the mantle and see how good you look after a dusting. Nobody wants to create waves for fear of retribution another eye saw rather than an I saw.
As long as somebody is working against the corperate side of things the prevention and access to records are left to be treated as evidence and there will always be people caught if they are willing to test the system. Reciprocal advice only goes so as to the residual effect of the industry and all stewards are to be commended on their work to exile the grey nicolls from the industry. ”
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| | Posted by jennycrawford, on 9-8-2012 1:59:02 PM
Four Corners never goes to air without being sure of its content. And how many launderers made their money ''clean'' by backing Black Caviar. Methinks plenty. ”
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| | Posted by anonymous, on 7-8-2012 8:22:44 PM
if this bloke seriously thinks the sport is clean i think he should find another job. IT IS NOT, NO IF''S, BUT''S OR MAYBE''S. i''m a trainer & i have been informed by jockey''s that they have been offered substantial sums of money but other jockeys in the same race to ride my horse a certain way (obviously to favour their mount). ”
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