Integrity Matters ( HRV newsletter )

[Messenger]

I was emailed a copy of this newsletter this month - something I had not caught up with in the past so I thought I should go back and look at the first 2 issues (it is released bimonthly).

You can subscribe and have it emailed to you and I think you are supposed to be able to access it via the News tab at thetrots.com but at present that only seems to provide the first edition (Jan/Feb)

The first edition is interesting for the choice of interviewee for the 'Why Integrity Matters To Me' being Craig Demmler who was still under suspension at the time. (The 2nd edition also had the recently disqualified Chris Angove)

His answer to What lessons have you learnt? didn't sound contrite (but maybe he does not believe he was guilty)
"l have learnt that it is impossibly hard to defend yourself at a reasonable cost and also I have learnt who my true friends are in the industry."

But his Advice did include
"always read labels thoroughly and it pays to be extra vigilant of all products given to your horse."

This is a link to the first Integrity Matters

https://us7.campaign-archive.com/?u=a77425cabc034bf65eb8c7c6b&id=0987f038dd

[Messenger]

The latest June/July edition begins with a warning about social media (Was that why it was brought to my attention?)
It was interesting to read about the establishment of an Independent Review Panel regarding
"A complaint was made to the Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner (ORIC) in respect to races conducted at Warragul on 24 December 2017 and Ballarat on 26 December 2017.
The allegation was that HRV Stewards and other HRV Integrity Officials involved in these races were corrupt, and that they covered up the allegedly suspicious drives of licensed participant Greg Sugars through amended Steward Reports and subsequent steward’s inquiries that were conducted."[/I]

An excerpt of the report is as follows;
[I]An extensive review of the available betting for both races revealed no cause for concern. There was no evidence of any betting by any steward. We found no evidence of potential serious rule breaches by any driver nor did we find any evidence of collusion or corruption by any official.

One of the Greg Sugar races would appear to be

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=WR241217#WRC24121702

going on the stewards report:

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/stewards-reports/stewards-reports-detail/?mc=WR241217

You can see why someone might be upset by the race with Miss Atomic Betty coming last but climbing over their backs

I am not sure which race at Ballarat was in question but you would have to think it was the following

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BA261217#BAC26121709

as the Stewards Report shows Greg Sugars driving Cobbler Creek was fined for creating a sprint lane at Ballarat

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/stewards-reports/stewards-reports-detail/?mc=BA261217

It is interesting to note that these races would have been under investigation at the time I posted the rumour that 2 Vic stewards were stood down which David Martin told us was incorrect. Maybe they were just under investigation

This is the link to the latest 'Integrity Matters'

https://mailchi.mp/hrv/integrity-matters-newsletter-februarymarch-434079?e=2ac3a050e9

[Showgrounds]

Kev, think you'll find its Brad, not his father, doing time at present.

[Messenger]

True but at the time of the 2nd edn Chris was just back from 12mths I think

[David Martin]

It is interesting to note that these races would have been under investigation at the time I posted the rumour that 2 Vic stewards were stood down which David Martin told us was incorrect. Maybe they were just under investigation





Hi Kevin, the matter was under review, but at no time were the stewards stood down. Cheers, David

[Dot]

I'm on the mailing list for the newsletter and thought discussion about the possible introduction of a race review officer role to be a positve initiative for integrity. However I believe dealing with the serious allegations made to the racing integrity commissioner without revealing the identities of the members of the review panel to be a significant negative impact on the perception of integrity.

[Messenger]

I agree Dot - reading that article, the absence of names stood out more than if it said Huey, Dewey and Louie

[gutwagon]

Have to agree with Dot and Kevin, if we don't know who is on the panel how do we know or trust that they are qualified and experienced enough to review such issues. What were the issues that they identified in the mentioned report and how can industry participants be satisfied that they have been addressed ?



I know nothing about the two races or people involved but I know that reading the "Integrity Matters " newsletter left me feeling very uneasy about how that issue was handled.

[Messenger]

For those who only read the emailed version of Integrity Matters, the newsletter has been updated to correct the wrong story following Look Out For Scammers
the story should have read:

In recent times the Integrity department has received information that industry participants have been subject to overpayment scams. This scam involves industry participants selling horses online, with the scammer overpaying for the horse then requesting the difference to be refunded. This often happens prior to the completion of the original transaction, cancelling the original cheque or transfer, or sending a fake receipt of payment.

Participants should be wary of buyers who are overpaying for goods advertised, and are advised to report the matter to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam?

HRV have notified other harness racing jurisdictions of the overpayment scams.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/integrity-matters/integrity-matters-august-september-2018/

[aussiebreno]

Glad to know Shayne Cramp has a more thorough understanding of the rules now. I didn't think the rules there that hard to understand in the first place...

[Messenger]

I notice the latest edition also contains a reminder about Location of Horses.
I am thinking Andy Gath must have got permission to stable Burnaholeinmypocket at Mildura or else the transport costs of what would be a 13hr round trip from Long Forest would burn a hole in his pocket!
The horse made it consecutive Friday wins at Mildura today

[Messenger]

I am guessing this Maryborough story will be in the next edition

http://nationaltrotguide.com.au/board-issues-charges-against-club-officials/

[Messenger]

To be heard Oct 10

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=38042

[Messenger]

What has happened to this newsletter?
Were bimonthly at one stage
But there has not been one since December/January

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/integrity-matters/

[Messenger]

They are all up now

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/integrity-matters/

[Messenger]

I just happened across the latest Integrity Matters
Rod Weightman would be extremely happy with the rather rose-coloured glasses that the article was written through

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/integrity-matters/integrity-matters-q-a-with-rod-weightman/

I had noticed a week or so ago that his indefinite disqualification had some 12 years later been finally heard and had been reduced to 7yrs 6mths and backdated so that he has actually been in the clear for 4yrs (if he had not been in prison)

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=44401

Mr Weightman has been released from prison for, although I cannot access it as I am not a subscriber, a google search produced

Racing rogue Rod Weightman's rough trot in prison - Herald Sunwww.heraldsun.com.au › news › andrew-rule › news-story
Jul 25, 2020 - Disgraced harness trainer-driver Rod Weightman started to associate with serious crooks after he was disqualified on doping charges in 2004.


This article dating back to the time of his court case 7yrs ago can however be read by all

https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1627881/drug-baron-rodney-weightman-jailed/#:~:text=Delacombe%20man%20Rodney%20Dale%20Weightm an,new%20(Tony)%20Mokbel%E2%80%9D.

The same google search found another article which certainly threw away the rosey glasses

https://peterprofit.com/2020/07/28/integrity-matters-or-at-least-thats-what-im-told-ice-blue-magic-bullets-and-bullshit-part-4/

The same site blogged back in March

this-is-what-the-harness-racing-cheats-are-using-to-dope-horses-and-certain-thoroughbred-stables-are-using-it-too/

Aranesp – medical name Darbepoetin Alfa-Albumin – is a drug used to treat anemia in cancer patients. It works by signaling the bone marrow to make more red blood cells, just like it’s sister drug EPO.

When a horse has more red blood cells it can process more oxygen.

A horse that can process more oxygen can ran fast for longer.

Horses who run faster for longer are almost certain to beat horses of similar ability who can’t.

Anyone who knows a horse has been doped with Aransep can bet on it to win races with confidence.

It’s not just cheating, its fraud.

Aranesp is administered by injection, and because of the natural bone marrow red- blood cell production process it takes 2 or 3 weeks for it reach peak levels in the horses body. That makes it perfect for the dopers, because by the time it is working most effectively the drug is already out of the horse’s system. and doesn’t swag,

It also renders the 72 hour quarantine period in the retention barns useless.

It’s the perfect crime.

It is amazing how 'Integrity Matters' loves to tell the stories of the industry's worst offenders

[gutwagon]

He should never be allowed back into the industry.

[Messenger]

I have been reading some more of the opinions on the peterprofit site I mentioned above.
Some might seem outrageous but others are scary
He is on about gene doping quite a bit

I did a little research of my own and was interested to see Brant Dunshea's name crop up (plenty of you better read followers probably knew of his rise in British racing)
He was Chairman of Stewards between 2004-06, General Manager of Integrity between 2007-10 and Chief Operating Officer from 2010-15 for HRV
You will see him quoted in the following article on gene doping

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/apr/24/talking-horses-bha-commits-1m-gene-doping