MY CALL - THE RIGHT OF CONNECTIONS TO BE HEARD IN A PROTEST HEARING SHOULD NOT BE TAMPERED WITH
By David Fowler | Tuesday, November 26, 2013
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.
Some idiots are pushing to streamline protest hearing decisions.
Do away with the owner, trainer or jockey’s evidence is their mantra. Stewards are equipped with enough camera angles to make a swift and sensible decision.
Better for all! Right?
Give me a spell and let me explain.
If this "get em in, get em out" approach was correct, you would agree with every stewards' determination because of their ready access to every camera shot available.
Of course, you wouldn't!
Two people can clearly look at the same picture and arrive at a different point of view.
Put it this way, we all have access to the same videos and form-guides pre-race, but do we come up with the same tip in each race?
No!
Presently, the stipes' panel is in a pretty cosy spot in our particular court of law. They are judge and jury.
But as even the simplest minds know, evidence has to be tendered to be considered in our courts before a verdict can be reached.
Protest hearings must never be reduced to stewards simply looking at a bank of video monitors and finding a result.
I've cringed sometimes when an inexperienced apprentice can't find the words to say.
Yet I've welcomed the considered opinion of a professional trainer or astute owner who will give his or her thoughts on what they have seen.
Of course they'll try and spin it their way but that's their right.
Top stipes like Terry Bailey and Ray Murrihy might like to take total control but understand it's not the done thing.
Rights are precious. Too precious to be removed by idiots who are simply looking at change for change's sake!
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We hear Hayden Haitana will have his life ban from racetracks lifted.
Care factor … zilch!
Does he expect a rousing response to his return to the track?
You can guarantee a photo shoot will be organised to propel this story upon the all clear being given for his return.
His hard to understand ramblings in this weekend's Sunday Mail reminded me of the Hayden Haitana I reported on during the Fine Cotton saga almost 30 years ago.
Nothing's changed and, in my view, time won't heal racing's opinion of him as a bumbling, bit-part player in a disgraceful episode in Australian racing.
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The Queensland Racing Media Association will host its first function in three weeks.
The QRMA is determined to play a positive role in Queensland racing so, appropriately, will honour our Spring Carnival stars at the Sunday luncheon.
It's not only Rob Heathcote that has flown the flag so proudly for Queensland and all will be suitably recognized.
Some major awards will also be announced for 2014.
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I still can't believe Kalandula didn't win the fourth race at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
While I considered it a close call, I didn't even consider it close enough to call a photo ... "Kalandula beat Padrino"
My colleague Alan Thomas did exactly the same.
While it's a bitter pill to swallow at least everyone else at the track thought the same.
There was a similar finish at Doomben earlier this year when General Exhibit beat Lock's Legend and we all thought the opposite.
The old saying "believe you eyes" took a hammering on the weekend.
Until next week.
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