MY CALL - THE THREE STOOGES WOULD BE TAKEN MORE SERIOUSLY THAN THE LATEST RV MISADVENTURE
By David Fowler | Tuesday, December 25, 2012
David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.
I know it is Christmas and all things convivial but sometimes you just want to scream and shout.
Sometimes an injustice done is so glaring you want to ring up the perpetrators and vent your spleen.
I discovered a "beauty" late last week when it was announced Robert Smerdon has been charged on a "prejudicial to racing" rap in his involvement in the sad and sorry Damien Oliver affair.
When I use the word involvement I use it in the lightest possible manner and when I use the words sad and sorry I'm not actually referring to Oliver's misdemeanour but Racing Victoria's hapless handling of this business from the get-go.
An episode of the Three Stooges would be treated more seriously.
RV made their state a laughing stock in the lead-up to charging Oliver for reasons now well documented and canvassed in this blog. The aftermath is even more lamentable.
Smerdon earned the rap for handing over $11,000 from Mark Hunter to Damien Oliver, the proceeds of the winning bet on Miss Octopussy placed by Oliver, arranged by Hunter and executed by Laurie Bricknell.
So Smerdon, with no involvement in the actual matter, does a favour for a friend and asks no questions.
I call that smart.
Why should Smerdon ask any questions? It's not his business. It's keeping your nose clean.
But this is the gem in the email sent to Smerdon outlining the charge. And I quote:
"You did not, at any relevant time, ask Mr Hunter or Mr Oliver, or take any step to determine the reason or purpose for the payment from Mr Hunter to Mr Oliver."
Read it again.
Yes, that's what RV stewards believe was Smerdon's bounden duty and as he did not carry it out he has been charged.
Do you think Mr Hunter and/or Mr Oliver would be entitled to say, and I quote in my own words: "Thanks for your help, but mind your own f......business"
Do the RV stewards seriously believe this farcical charge will stand when Smerdon fronts in the New Year.
If, by a miracle it does, it is a travesty of justice and we should all give the game away.
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But wait, there's more.
While Smerdon currently has a charge hanging over his head for not interfering in the business of Mark Hunter or Damien Oliver, what was the fate of Hunter?
After all, he arranged the bet which was illegal under the rules of racing.
Oh, apparently nothing at this point. To quote a newspaper report he "may be afforded concessions for furthering the inquiry being conducted by Racing Victoria stewards."
Ain’t that dandy!
If this debacle wasn't enough, Victoria's Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna's much anticipated reports have been delayed now until the New Year.
Why?
Swift justice is the best justice and swift doesn't mean rushed. Presently a view from afar suggests we are getting little justice and a long time in getting even that.
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Guess who, don’t sue!
A former above-average Queensland sprinter, also an interstate winner, recently changed hands a few months ago for a modest amount of money.
I have strong reason to believe the horse was sold under false pretences.
Not by the owners, mind you. The false pretences were on the buyer's behalf.
It will make for a very interesting story if this horse pops up at a racetrack. Maybe unlikely but it has had a barrier trial.
Put it this way, if it happens to win another race, it will be a very hollow victory.
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Magic Millions discussions are now at fever pitch.
This weekend of racing will finalise the picture up to the stage of pre-barrier draw which can make a huge amount of difference.
The fact that markets have been $11 and $13 the field suggest it's wide open.
I'm staying with Missy Longstocking but more in next week's blog.
And that will give me time to see if there is any devil in the detail of the Revised Infrastructure plan that snuck on to the RQ website late on Friday.
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