MY CALL: 'SWIFT JUSTICE IS THE BEST JUSTICE.' A LONG FORGOTTEN CONCEPT AS CASES CONTINUE TO DRAG OUT

By David Fowler | Tuesday, December 13, 2016

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.

The newspaper heading today read "Jockey bet net set to widen"

It was written by Brad Davidson, a respected young and hungry journalist. Knows his topic well.

The heading promised intrigue.

But here are three selected paragraphs from Davidson's story.

"There is no suggestion that any other hoop will be charged or committed any wrongdoing"

"Stewards are not suggesting the 24 year old Sydney jockey (James McDonald) personally placed the bet"

"There is no suggestion Gardiner (the punter) will be charged or committed any wrongdoing".

SO WHAT THE FREAKIN HELL IS THIS ALL ABOUT !

And just to refresh your memory the race we are talking about was run over a year ago.

This beat up has lurched on for week after week yet apparently no one will be convicted of any crime.

Yawn. Move on.

*******************************************************************************************************

Other major stories continue to limp along and I suppose I'm just as guilty giving them oxygen on my Monday morning PRESS ROOM program on Radio TAB.

It's been as plain as the nose on your face that there has been something awry with the ownership of Azkadelia.

It's been a news item for at least six months.

Sort it out and strip her of her wins and placings for Pete's sake.

But still no final result.

The inquiry into what former Racing Victoria chairman David Moodie said or didn't say regarding cobalt positives still has no outcome.

Before Christmas, "they" say. Which Christmas, many ask?

And I haven't even mentioned Ben Currie's positive swabs or the appeals of Josh Oliver and Bridget Grylls which languish in Queensland.

Obviously "swift justice is the best justice" is long forgotten by many.

*******************************************************************************************************

I expect no reaction from the thoroughbred industry to Harness Racing Australia's decision to ban whips from racing and training.

History is scorned by some but I often regard it as a useful yardstick.

Tell me, if you can, in the decades gone by when the gallops have taken a leaf out of the book of the trots.

You'll be scratching your head for sometime.

I'll be blunt, they look down on them and not up to them.

But HRA can look forward to choppy waters to have their aggressive decision enhanced. I predict several roadblocks en route to the promised September date.

********************************************************************************************************

Another QRIC suspension in mysterious circumstances.

Queensland's harness racing chief stipe David Farquharson has been stood down following Jamie Darts sudden removal.

Unnamed in a four paragraph statement and no further comment to be made.

And they "boast" transparency as one of their hallmarks.

Honestly.

If the policy is to be a stand down as a result of disgruntled licencees' accusations, there will be no one left in the building.

Now Farquharson is left to wait, the subject of rumor and innuendo.
I
I've had my fair share of disagreements with him over 30 years but if nothing else, he is an honest man.

In closing, I wonder if the aggrieved party is happy to put up his or her hand and declare they were the one to make the accusation.

That's one for you to ponder on.

Until next week.

David Fowler