Author Topic: Victorian Racing News (Read 1558 times)

PoisonPen7 · O.P. « 2018-Jun-02, 12:42 AM »

A thread for posting Victorian Racing News.

Looking through the existing threads we have threads for every negative under the sun for Victorian racing but not a generic one for news and the like.

PoisonPen7 · « 2018-Jun-02, 12:44 AM **Reply #1** »

New Melbourne Cup prizemoney structure

Finishing in the first half of the field of the Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) will guarantee connections a minimum of $150,000 under the new prizemoney structure announced on Friday.

Previously, runners who finished in the top ten received a minimum of $125,000 but that has now been extended with 6th to 12th to collect $150,000 for the first time in 2018.

Rekindling earned connections $3,850,000 for winning the Melbourne Cup last year and the winners cheque has now been increased to $4 million, plus trophies worth $250,000.

https://www.racing.com/news/2018-06-01/melbourne-cup-prizemoney

Melbourne Cup $7.3 million
Victoria Derby $2 million

PoisonPen7 · « 2018-Jun-02, 12:56 AM **Reply #2** »

Caulfield Cup $5 million
Cox Plate $5 million (regains top prizemoney for WFA from QE2 at Randwick).
MV Cup $500,000

PoisonPen7 · « 2018-Jun-10, 01:22 AM **Reply #3** »

Inquiry opened after Considering scratching

Racing Victoria stewards have opened an inquiry into the circumstances that resulted in Considering being a late scratching from Saturday's Swan Hill meeting.

RV advised at 3:45pm that the Shea Eden-trained galloper had been withdrawn from the final race of the day, which was set down for 4:27pm.

Speaking from Flemington, RV's Head of Integrity, Terry Bailey, advised that the scratching was a result from a report submitted by the Compliance Assurance Team.

Bailey refused to elaborate any further with the matter now the subject of an ongoing inquiry.

https://www.racing.com/news/2018-06-09/inquiry-opened-after-considering-scratching

Very formal and to the point. Though not sure what the Orwellian sounding "Compliance Assurance Team" does

wily ole dog · « 2018-Jun-10, 08:31 AM **Reply #4** »

Eden has form for this sort of thing, doesn’t he?

nemisis · « 2018-Jun-10, 08:50 AM **Reply #5** »

You do run the risk PP of this thread turning negative if you talk about compliance.

Swabbing seems to produce nothing and the compliance team in Victoria at least are catching some out although the locked gates at private training establishments would make their job difficult at times.

Serious question this but does Racing NSW have a compliance team?

It can cast racing in a negative light so V'Landys probably wouldn't allow it.

PoisonPen7 · « 2018-Jun-10, 12:25 PM **Reply #6** »

Quote from: nemisis on 2018-Jun-10, 08:50 AM

You do run the risk PP of this thread turning negative if you talk about compliance.

I didn't say anything about threads turning negative.

I said "we have threads for every negative under the sun for Victorian racing" was clearly referring to all the negative titles of the various threads especially those with the words "integrity" or "drug" in them.

What people want to post is completely up to them. If they want to be negative, and use the old "don't look at us look at them over there" strategy that you appeared to have none they can knock themselves out.

Even if they want to invent issues where there are none by asking rhetorical questions like you have done it is not my place to say don't post this

specialweek2 · « 2018-Jun-11, 10:19 AM **Reply #7** »

TB officially going.

PoisonPen7 · « 2018-Jun-11, 02:28 PM **Reply #8** »

Quote from: specialweek2 on 2018-Jun-11, 10:19 AM

TB officially going.

Going to Singapore

RV chief steward Terry Bailey resigns

The worst kept secret in Victorian racing circles was confirmed on Monday - Racing Victoria's chief steward Terry Bailey resigning to take up the job as Chairman of Stewards in Singapore.

Bailey, who took over from Des Gleeson as RV chief steward in 2008, will finish up on July 11.

Racing Victoria CEO Giles Thompson paid credit to the outgoing Bailey.

"Terry has given tremendous service to Racing Victoria for more than a decade and he has our support and best wishes as he embarks on the exciting next chapter of his career abroad," Thompson said.

https://www.racing.com/news/2018-06-11/racing-victoria-chief-steward-terry-bailey-resigns

tontonan · « 2018-Jun-11, 03:29 PM **Reply #9** »

It doesn't leave many of the cobalt crusaders left. By my count, since charges were first laid, the departed are :

- the entire RVL Board
- 2 chairmen (3 if you count Rolston or if you count the seat warmer)
- the RVL CEO
- The Head of Equine Welfare
- The Head of Integrity Services
- the legal counsel
- The Chief Steward

I am sure I have missed a couple. Nobody wants to admit it was a multi million dollar balls up but that is what it was. Minister Pakula decided to keep the good ship afloat while throwing captain and crew overboard. The new skipper shows disturbing signs of competence.

nemisis · « 2018-Jun-11, 05:39 PM **Reply #10** »

If Terry Bailey alone was responsible for the cobalt samples being sent to an non accredited facility for testing, then that was a major fail.

10 odd years of fighting the good fight against the levels of cheating he would be up against on a daily basis will have him remembered fairly well, I would say.

Not sure what sort of money The Chief Steward would be on....but could never be enough.

Good luck to anyone taking on this gig.

Arsenal · « 2018-Jun-11, 07:37 PM **Reply #11** »

COMMENT: Stewarding no popularity contest
Shane Anderson@Globalgallop 4:23pm
, (
Victoria’s outgoing chief steward Terry Bailey once said, “Stewarding… it’s not a popularity contest. They can like you or hate you but as long as I go away with them saying, ‘he was a hard bugger but he was fair’… well, that will do me.”

Bailey, who announced his decision to resign as Racing Victoria’s chairman of stewards on Monday to take up that role in Singapore, has been loved and loathed in equal parts since taking over the top role in Victoria.

Was he hard? That goes without saying. Was he fair? For many participants, that is open to interpretation.

For those who haven’t been on the receiving end of an investigation by Bailey and his team, their gratitude for his policing of the racing industry is often expressed by the strength of the Victorian industry.

Integrity is a pillar of the sport that determines its strength, and Victoria has nation-wide high wagering turnover, prizemoney, and ownership levels.

For those on the other side, there is a view that Bailey could be a bully, abuse his powers, and target individuals, that Victorian racing was worse off for his involvement.

Bailey, as a steward, was trained in the old school yet he has always wanted to take advantage of the latest technologies. He is a steward of his time.

His journey as a steward began in 1986 as an 18-year-old when appointed as a cadet steward at the Australian Jockey Club under the tutelage of legendary steward John Schreck. No doubt, he learned the path of being a tough cop here.

From there, he had senior stewarding stints in regional NSW and then the Gold Coast before taking the role of Chief Steward of Harness Racing Victoria.

This is the role that made Bailey and his time overseeing ‘the trots’ is still talked about, despite leaving the sport 14 years ago.

His strong-arm tactics and desire to clean up harness racing coincided with the ‘blue magic’ scandal, a banned substance that improved stamina in horses, that had erupted in the sport and Bailey won that battle.

This led him to Racing Victoria.

In his decade as chief steward of Victoria’s thoroughbred industry, Bailey has played hard ball with participants.

He has taken on some of the biggest names in racing, whether trainer, jockey, vet or administrator.

Sometimes he won, sometimes he lost. But the desire to have a clean sport remained, with Bailey often using the line of “there is only one rule book.”

The development of the integrity control room, to monitor wagering trends and use ‘hawk-eye’ camera technology to review races, along with a closer relationship with testing laboratories, saw Bailey considered a world-leader in integrity.

But his ‘one rule book’ approach has often kept him at loggerheads with many in racing.

For every participant that applauded the strong management of integrity under his watch, there were others that felt he was putting the industry in bad light.

Whether it was the Damien Oliver betting investigation, the long-drawn-out cobalt investigation and hearings against some of the most successful trainers in Australia, his battles against banned jockey Danny Nikolic, tough approach to race day stewarding, or the recent Aquanita investigation that many consider to be racing’s biggest scandal, Bailey always seemed to have one on side and one against.

His investigations were high profile and the structure of the Victorian system would often see them play out in the public eye for longer than other jurisdictions.

His time at the helm coincided with scandals that also engulfed the board of Racing Victoria, with two chairmen stepping aside over integrity investigations, while he was involved as deputy chairman of stewards in the investigation over betting that brought down then RV CEO Stephen Allanson in 2008.

Changes are coming to how the integrity of racing is managed in Victoria, with Minister of Racing Martin Pakula initiating changes that will go through legislation, likely later this year.

Racing Victoria has also appointed a new Executive General Manager of Integrity Services in Jamie Stier, who will now lead the process to find Bailey’s replacement.

Bailey has given his all to the Victorian industry and, with significant change coming, it makes sense for a fresh leadership approach to bring it through.

But that is no slight on the outgoing chairman of stewards’ contribution. While not everything has been perfect under his watch, many in racing believe that the sport is in a very good position because of his tough approach.

When shots were fired at Bailey’s house in a still unresolved incident in 2015, 40 of racing’s leading participants took out ads in Melbourne’s leading newspapers, appearing on Racing.com and radio station RSN927, bonded in absolute support for Racing Victoria to make the sport clean.

They supported Bailey 100 per cent.

The Australian Trainers’ Association released a statement, saying “Terry Bailey has made a significant contribution to the Victorian and indeed, National Racing landscape, across his 13 years with RVL, including the last 10 of those in the capacity of Chairman of Stewards.

“And whilst this tenure has not been without its occasional controversy, the one constant throughout has been his offices resolute stance and desire for Racing to operate with absolute integrity both on and off the race track. That is something 100% of participants and the public alike unquestionably want, and wholeheartedly support.

The ATA wishes Terry Bailey and his family all the best with their impending move to Singapore.”

Similarly, the Victorian Jockeys’ Association said, “The VJA would like to congratulate Terry on his new appointment.

“Terry has always had the best intentions when engaging with the riding group to uphold and administer the Rules of Racing.

“His care and support for long term injured riders has been greatly appreciated also. We thank him for his contribution to Victorian Racing and wish him all the best.”

Trainer Mitchell Beer took to Twitter to give his thoughts on Bailey.

mitchellbeer
@beermitchell
I would dare say majority of trainers will be sad to see Terry Bailey go.
I know I’m a lot more comfortable running second these days.

11:06 AM - Jun 11, 2018
87
See mitchellbeer's other Tweets
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Fellow trainer Danny O’Brien, one of Bailey’s most outspoken critics, took to the social media platform upon the announcement of Bailey’s resignation.

Danny wished him well.

Giddy Up

Arsenal · « 2018-Jun-11, 08:01 PM **Reply #12** »

VCAT overrules RV decision to refuse a trainer's licence to Russell Clarke

A real horseman is Mr Clarke and a very good decision by the member to take exceptional circumstances into account and not be tied to the 5 year rule relied on by RV.

http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/vic/VCAT/2018/747.html

Giddy Up

tontonan · « 2018-Jun-11, 08:15 PM **Reply #13** »

Peter Mair · « 2018-Jun-11, 09:34 PM **Reply #14** »

.. is that picher a mock up of Alfred E Neuman

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRHLtG2LaIkUp0b-ieSMICm0C0aRhCl_kfS_Gv_4ht7Gxq-gxM_

Peter Mair · « 2018-Jun-11, 09:35 PM **Reply #15** »

....... the quicker, the further the better

Arsenal · « 2018-Jun-12, 07:48 PM **Reply #16** »

Bailey: Duffy 'a big loss' in my reign
Luke Sheehan@LukeDSheehan 6:00pm
, (
Outgoing Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey said he was most confident in his role when under the reign of chairman Michael Duffy.

Duffy served as RV Board chairman from 2007-2013, and Bailey – speaking just 36 hours after the news of his resignation was confirmed – rued on After The Last that his role as head of the stewards was made tougher since.

"Sometimes with changeovers, when a big role changes, sometimes you lose a bit of momentum," Bailey said on Tuesday night.

"I've got to say the day Michael Duffy walked out of the place, we lost a lot of momentum.

"He was a great supporter of the integrity department, understood how it worked, he was a big loss from my perspective.

He added: "I think they [Duffy's successors] all had the best intentions, but I just found that Michael really got it."

WATCH: Terry Bailey on After The Last

Bailey, though, did say Racing Victoria's Board generally gave him a free run at it when it came to persevering with cases.

"They didn't interfere, put it that way. I come from the old school if you're not going to interfere; you assume you're going alright," he added.

Bailey moved to declare his move to Singapore after 10 years as boss in Victoria was not due to the arrival of new integrity boss Jamie Stier - rather, the contrary.

"It's the only regret I've really got. Jamie and I have worked on and off for 30 years," Bailey said.

"We get on well, we think the same, it was the one really big question I was asking myself if I should go, because I would've enjoyed 2-3 years with him."

Bailey also said, regarding Stier's arrival as integrity boss: "Originally when Des Gleeson retired, the role was split into two.

"The idea was for me to run the racing, and Dayle Brown had the legal background to run the administration side of it.

"It seemed to work reasonably well.

"With the appointment of Jamie Stier now, he comes with similar skills to me.

"At the end of the day, Jamie gets it as far of being in the role of a steward, and will no doubt be admirably representing the department at that level."

Responding to criticism regarding the time took for the Aquanita Inquiry to come to light, and the fact it only emerged due to text messages, Bailey was defensive of his department.

Bailey also referred to the reports they had planned to put a spy into the stable of Peter Moody, a report that emerged in 2015 when the former Caulfield trainer was fighting charges relating to a horse with an elevated cobalt reading on raceday.

"Everyone's smart after the event," Bailey said.

"Don't forget we got criticism for talking about putting plants in stables - that was nearly the end of the world. There were some times when I wish we would've done it.

"We used to put stewards in at Aquanita all day at the races - there's text messages to that effect.

"The top-ups they were doing is something you can do in three or four seconds, it's very difficult to police."

Bailey will finish his time at Racing Victoria on July 11, and take a short break before starting his role in Singapore - with his final meeting in the hot seat at Mildura on July 9.

WATCH: Terry Bailey on After The Last

Giddy Up

Gintara · « 2018-Jun-25, 06:42 PM **Reply #17** »

I guess this is about as good a place as any to put this -

Horse trainer John Nikolic 'fighting for life' after arrest

Australian horse trainer ‘fighting for life’ after arrest

Controversial Australian horse trainer John Nikolic is reportedly in a critical condition after being arrested in relation to a drug and gun haul.

The Herald Sun reports Nikolic attempted self-harm in custody and is now fighting for life in a Fijian hospital.

His family are yet to release a statement on his condition.

Nikolic was apprehended on Thursday after police uncovered $20 million worth of cocaine and ecstasy from a yacht moored on the small island of Denarau.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) confirmed to the newspaper that the accused’s family is being offered consular assistance.

Nikolic, who is based on the Gold Coast, has had a scandal-riddled decade, receiving a year-long ban from racing in 2015 for doping a horse.

He was also accused of the murder of Victorian racing figure Les Samba, who was gunned down in 2011.

Nikolic was never charged over Samba’s death.

PoisonPen7 · « 2018-Jun-26, 05:07 AM **Reply #18** »

Yvette Nikolic drug charge after boat raid

The wife of disgraced horse trainer John Nikolic appeared before a magistrate’s court in Fiji yesterday after the couple’s multi-million-dollar boat Shenanigans was searched by police last week.

The Herald Sun reports today that Yvette Nikolic had been on the “adventure of a lifetime” with her husband from South America to Australia, when Fijian police intercepted their boat to search it for drugs and weapons.

The two were detained in a Fijian jail on Thursday after the raid allegedly uncovered $20 million worth of cocaine, ecstasy, $20,000 cash and guns and ammunition.

A Frenchman and an American also were arrested.

Mr Nikolic, the brother of jockey Danny Nikolic, was rushed to Lautoka hospital, in northeastern Fiji, in a critical condition after he drank an unknown liquid during the search. Local media reported he had attempted self-harm.

Ms Nikolic, who was charged with possessing and importing drugs and guns, begged a magistrate yesterday to allow her to visit her husband, the Herald Sun said.

Local media reported Ms Nikolic had failed to declare the guns and ammunition to customs on arrival at Denarau Marina.

The Nikolics had posted online about a “crazy plan” to sail their luxury boat from the US to Queensland. “Brave and free and wild is the sea,” they posted before setting sail.

The Fiji Sun reported an application to release Shenanigans was referred to a higher court.

Ms Nikolic will appear before Lautoka High Court next month.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/yvette-nikolic-drug-charge-after-boat-raid/news-story/ae4aa4f3a0cf156853034f0b0d6a028d

PoisonPen7 · « 2018-Jul-13, 05:58 PM **Reply #19** »

Ciaron Maher has broken his femur (upper leg ouch) at trackwork this morning.

Ciaron Maher injured at trackwork

Caulfield trainer Ciaron Maher has undergone surgery for a broken femur after champion mare Jameka threw him at trackwork at Caulfield on Friday.
Maher was taken by ambulance to the Alfred Hospital and was operated on following the incident at about 4am. Jameka was not injured and remains on the comeback trail.

Maher was aboard Jameka trotting in the exercise area when she whipped around and threw him heavily to the ground.

https://www.racing.com/news/2018-07-13/ciaron-maher-injured-at-trackwork

Arsenal · « 2018-Aug-15, 06:42 PM **Reply #20** »

Stablehand's 'very offensive' behaviour
Andrew Eddy@fastisheddy 2:59pm
, (
Stablehand David Fisher had his licence suspended for three months on Wednesday on three charges relating to misconduct and offensive behaviour towards Racing Victoria stewards.

Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board chairman Judge John Bowman said the three-man board found Fisher guilty of two charges under AR 175 (q) for being 'very offensive' with language in a text and in a telephone call in February that were 'sexual' towards RV steward Wade Hadley.

Fisher was also found guilty under AR 175 (j) for a charge of insulting behaviour towards another RV steward, James Hitchcock, when he was interviewed by stewards at the Warrnambool races in May.

The board suspended Fisher for three months on each of the first two charges and for one month on the third but ordered the terms be served concurrently.

RV stewards had earlier called for the board to impose cumulative sanctions for each charge as 'such behaviour should be denounced and it made clear it has no place in the industry'.

The board heard that Fisher came to the stewards' notice on February 6 when the Flemington track manager reported that Fisher had illegally taken off his helmet while riding a horse into the tunnel after trackwork.

Hadley then contacted Fisher by email over the incident later that day and was met with a reply e-mail that Hadley said offended him.

After a phone call from Fisher a few hours later, Hadley said he was 'initially in shock' at the contents of Fisher's e-mail and phone call, which he termed as 'disgraceful and disrespectful' and which was delivered in 'an almost intimidatory manner'.

Hitchcock told the panel he had experienced trouble in tracking down Fisher but that stewards finally interviewed Fisher some months later over the Warrnambool May Carnival when he was noticed strapping a horse.

Hitchcock said Fisher refused to answer basic questions regarding his telephone number and address and then was rude and insulting in his manner as he loudly ate a bucket of hot chips.

He then played the audio of that interview to the board, where Fisher could be heard burping and chewing loudly.

"In all my experience, I have never experienced burping and slurping ... in the manner you did – ever," Hitchcock said to Fisher at Wednesday's hearing.

Fisher told the board that while his eating habits might not be perfect, he queried whether such poor personal habits should constitute a charge under AR 175 (j).

But Hitchcock said Fisher also showed disrespect to the stewards during that interview as he 'threw his chair' at the desk upon leaving the room.

Hitchcock also told the board that Fisher's manner in the stewards' room that day, when he was the only steward present in the room, made him feel threatened.

"I didn't know physically or verbally what may have occurred," Hitchcock said.

When asked by Fisher what he had done to make him feel that way, Hitchcock replied: "The way you speak. Your demeanour. Your actions."

Fisher has five previous offences against his record for misconduct or offensive behaviour when in Tasmania, including one for defamatory comments against the Tasmanian chairman of stewards.

He told the board that the text and comments to Hadley in February had been misinterpreted and denied that his behaviour at Warrnambool was designed to be rude and to intimidate stewards.ENDS

He has a very poor record and attitude should find hisself another job if he can't behave hisself .

Giddy Up

Peter Mair · « 2018-Aug-15, 08:30 PM **Reply #21** »

I cannot imagine a more serious offense in racing than being dismissive of an RVL steward.

RVL stewards should always be 'accompanied' when dealing with licensed persons --especially those who are 'burping and chewing loudly' while being interviewed and recorded.

These offenders should get a life.

wily ole dog · « 2018-Aug-15, 08:47 PM **Reply #22** »

There we have it again. Mair defending another grub.

You’re covered in fleas peter

Peter Mair · « 2018-Aug-16, 01:07 PM **Reply #23** »

Workers of the world unite

The role of stable staff is arguably one of the least glamorous in our industry yet is also arguably one of the most important.

The work is physically demanding, the hours are certainly anti-social and it is unlikely you will become wealthy.

The Victorian Stable Workers Movement is a fledgling organization but one rapidly gaining traction across the major training tracks in Melbourne .........

https://www.racenet.com.au/news/stable-staff-unite-to-form-group-20180815

PoisonPen7 · « 2018-Aug-17, 02:33 AM **Reply #24** »

Quote from: Peter Mair on 2018-Aug-16, 01:07 PM

Workers of the world unite

The role of stable staff is arguably one of the least glamorous in our industry yet is also arguably one of the most important.

The work is physically demanding, the hours are certainly anti-social and it is unlikely you will become wealthy.

The Victorian Stable Workers Movement is a fledgling organization but one rapidly gaining traction across the major training tracks in Melbourne .........

https://www.racenet.com.au/news/stable-staff-unite-to-form-group-20180815

A very, very interesting and eye opening read of the comments below that story.

I remember working in stables when I was a teenager for $6 a week and the work was 24/7 you couldn't even leave the stables without permission, you got every second Sunday afternoon off but the other strapper had to double up and do your work and the next Sunday when you were on and he was off I had to double up and do his work.....up at 3.am ride a dozen horses work, then back to the stables to feed and dress the horses(brush and clean the sweat off them) clean out the Stables , sweep up, there was always something to do............and I loved it.....I would have paid them for the privilege........but they took advantage of my passion for horses, no doubt about that.....and they still are....you could only do this job if you had a passion for it....the hours are killing and the pay is a pittance
like all industries the big industry/Trainers will benefit by a large increase to stable workers........cos they can afford it and small trainers will struggle and go out of business, then their horses will go to the big trainers, who will just get bigger than they already are......they need to find a way where the industry pays and not individual trainers....not sure how to do that but small trainers would already be struggling, they can't afford it and they can't increase their training fees substantially as they don't have rich owners....still you can't expect stable workers to carry the can for the industry

As I've said many a time, there are people working in country areas in NSW and all other states who do not earn much above subsistence wage.

There is no superannuation. The wages are extremely low but people just love their horses that much that they are willing to suffer it - and are being exploited for that.

There is something weird going on in society when things like "gay marriage" get politicians from both sides popping champagne when the legislation is passed yet when it comes to their fundamental duty in protecting those paid the worst wages under shocking conditions they are nowhere to be seen.

I think a fair proportion of the POCT should go direct to those registered under a scheme like Mr Gardner's proposal in the Racenet article.

The correct thing to do would be for the various state racing administrative bodies to lobby their governments to improve the lot of the lowest paid in our industry.

These people have zero advocacy and the right thing to do would be for bodies like Racing NSW, RVL, RQ, etc. to provide that missing advocacy. Or alternatively support people like Rob Gardiner who put their hand up to help out.