MY CALL - QUEENSLAND RACING DISCIPLINARY BOARD'S STUNNING JUDGEMENT IN JUSTIN ABBOTT APPEAL

By David Fowler | Tuesday, December 9, 2014

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.

It’s rare I depart from the thoroughbreds in this blog but I’m afraid today harness racing gets the lead gig.

Like all, and I repeat all, I was aghast at the judgement delivered by the Queensland Racing Disciplinary Board in its appeal decision on trainer-driver Justin Abbott.

There were a variety of charges laid but the QRDB saw fit to quash cumulative disqualifications against Abbott who laid his horse Foldem to lose on Betfair.

Foldem “dawdled out” in this race and then was well backed when leading and winning at its next start.

The panel saw nothing untoward when comparing these two performances.

Really?

Evidence was also tendered that associates of Abbott engaged in similar activities.

The thrust of the QRDB argument was that the amounts Abbott won were minimal.

Are they serious?

He backed his horse to lose. It doesn’t matter if it’s $1 dollar or a $1000.

But does the QRDB understand what Betfair is all about?

Betfair is a trading house. You offer a price to lose a certain amount and then wait to see if you are “matched”.

We only know what Abbott won. We don’t know how much he wanted matched? This is of great significance and seems to be lost on this particular QRDB panel.

Another way of looking at this is not that it is minimal money but that’s all Abbott could afford.

Whatever way it presents, the QRDB have set a dangerous precedent here by lessening the seriousness of Abbott’s act and, possibly, not fully appreciating how Betfair operates.

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What does Racing Queensland do now on this matter?

Surely Queensland Harness Racing Board chairman Greg Mitchell must approach the integrity arm to seek an immediate appeal.

Integrity trump Wade Birch and trots’ chief stipe David Farquharson must have gone a shade of pale when reading this extraordinary judgement.

My information is tens of thousands of dollars has been spent on this case that has lurched on since September.

But a reluctance to appeal based on “wasting good money after bad” is not an option.

The industry demands it and deserves it.

I don’t think it’s too harsh to say this judgement “trivialised” Abbott’s activities.

This, indeed, is a not only a slap in the face to hard working and honest industry stakeholders but to the punting public.

Does Brock Miller, Darryl Kays and Paul James think it’s fair that punters put their “hard earned” on Foldem when at the same time the trainer was backing it to lose on Betfair?

Write a judgement on that one gents!

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Congratulations to Tony Gollan and Luke Tarrant on their respective gongs at Monday’s QRMA awards.

Their 2014 deeds clearly demonstrated they were likely winners in the Personality Of The Year and Rising Star Award.

And QRMA life membership to Paul Dolan and Ross Stanley was well received.

Both gentlemen have gone above the call more than once for often little or no remuneration.

Their passion and enthusiasm for the business is as strong now as when they started out.

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