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Stewards imposed $250 fine costs punters a lot more
West Australian Racing
PerthTurfTalk
3,054 posts
It is a pet peeve for most punters when gear changes are not submitted to the race book and it is common opinion that the punishment doesn't quite fit the crime.
I have no doubt 95% of these errors are honest mistakes with no sinister motives. But I also have no doubt with the leniency of the fines handed out and the acceptance of any excuse from the stewards that the more cunning out there realize they can use it to their advantage.
Here is the late stewards report for War Jeune from the 13th of May (for those who were on, it isn't overly pretty reading) -
WAR JEUNE - Trainer Mr S Wolfe was interviewed in regard to the reason for the gelding racing without its approved gear (blinkers) as published. Mr Wolfe advised that the blinkers were inadvertently not fitted when the gelding was saddled and as he did not realise his error it was presented to race without blinkers. Gear checks conducted by officials failed to detect this oversight and consequently WAR JEUNE raced without blinkers. The race results have since been amended to show that WAR JEUNE raced without blinkers and that it will race with this piece of gear on at its next start. Mr Wolfe subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge under AR.140A for negligence in omitting to include blinkers when saddling WAR JEUNE with it racing without that piece of gear. In all of the circumstances, Stewards imposed a fine of $250.
$250. Not good enough. This was a horse who was backed 13s to 6s before this was known and there would have been $20,000+ available to be laid on the horse on betfair. And the fine is $250.
I do believe this to be an honest mistake from the Wolfe camp and make no accusations of anything more. But that doesn't change the fact it has potentially changed the result of the race. Where the hell is the deterrent if you can leave arguably the most important piece of gear off a race horse for a measly $250 fine? Pocket change to a lot of the bigger stables.
Stronger deterrents rid our great industry of these errors and make the crooks think twice. Once again the punter who funds the industry is put a long last.
I have no doubt 95% of these errors are honest mistakes with no sinister motives. But I also have no doubt with the leniency of the fines handed out and the acceptance of any excuse from the stewards that the more cunning out there realize they can use it to their advantage.
Here is the late stewards report for War Jeune from the 13th of May (for those who were on, it isn't overly pretty reading) -
WAR JEUNE - Trainer Mr S Wolfe was interviewed in regard to the reason for the gelding racing without its approved gear (blinkers) as published. Mr Wolfe advised that the blinkers were inadvertently not fitted when the gelding was saddled and as he did not realise his error it was presented to race without blinkers. Gear checks conducted by officials failed to detect this oversight and consequently WAR JEUNE raced without blinkers. The race results have since been amended to show that WAR JEUNE raced without blinkers and that it will race with this piece of gear on at its next start. Mr Wolfe subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge under AR.140A for negligence in omitting to include blinkers when saddling WAR JEUNE with it racing without that piece of gear. In all of the circumstances, Stewards imposed a fine of $250.
$250. Not good enough. This was a horse who was backed 13s to 6s before this was known and there would have been $20,000+ available to be laid on the horse on betfair. And the fine is $250.
I do believe this to be an honest mistake from the Wolfe camp and make no accusations of anything more. But that doesn't change the fact it has potentially changed the result of the race. Where the hell is the deterrent if you can leave arguably the most important piece of gear off a race horse for a measly $250 fine? Pocket change to a lot of the bigger stables.
Stronger deterrents rid our great industry of these errors and make the crooks think twice. Once again the punter who funds the industry is put a long last.
+1 -1
Ridersonthestorm33, LuckyLongshots likes this post.
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thefalcon, Ridersonthestorm33, jum likes this post.
thefalcon, Ridersonthestorm33 likes this post.
good point Rodent but a large percentage of blame must lay with the stewards..how many of them would have watched the horses parade?
the lenient fine possibly reflects their contrition.
talk about blind mice......
thefalcon likes this post.
but we already know about the long long long long long long history of RWWA never owning their own stuff ups.
spinking, thefalcon likes this post.
spinking likes this post.
RIO likes this post.
RIO likes this post.
Your correct Runyon by memory it was one of P. Smythes when possibly S.J.Miller may have been in charge