Comments worth a post but not a thread of their own

Muldoon · May 2025

A friend sent me this as he knows my interest in the Trots, surely this is unacceptable if correct, it is a post from Russell Betts, so hope ok to post here without his permission. But surely one TAB meeting without a photo finish & an operator is unacceptable, but by this it has happened more than once.Can anyone explain who they don't have back up camera's & personnel ?

Just looking at replays if can give a margin to the winner in first, the 2nd race the outside looks to have one too.

JUST LIKE THE BELMONT TRACK SITUATION FROM LAST WEEKEND, CAN SOMEONE IN THE MEDIA PLEASE SHINE A LIGHT ON THE HARNESS PHOTO FINISH FIASCO!?!

To the handful of people who don't already know, for just over one month, several country harness racing meetings in WA have been conducted without the use, without the aid of a photo finish.

On April 26, Bunbury's meeting went sans photo finish. A very close finish to the final event that evening came to pass. To almost all who viewed the race, a margin seemingly could be found, yet a dead heat was declared.

Industry participants on course became aware and, in the hours and days that followed, the masses found out that no photo finish was in operation due to RWWA not rostering a qualified person to work at that meeting.

Over the following 28 days, several country meetings have been conducted without the aid of a photo finish. A month on and still this integrity issue hasn't been rectified.

We witnessed very close finishes to the first two races at Bunbury last Saturday. In one race a winner was found and in the other, a dead heat was declared when judges had to make their decisions without the aid of a photo finish. The reason being freely told is allegedly because someone in at RWWA forgot to tell someone else in at RWWA to take the relevant equipment to the meeting.

Now there are two clear issues here that need to be publicly addressed by officialdom.

How has this debacle gone on for a full month AND given there has been no public acknowledgement from stewards, are we to assume that integrity is considered unimportant?

To be clear. It is one thing to go without a photo finish for one race, let alone one meeting, but to go without a photo finish at several meetings over the course of a month, well that is surely totally unacceptable.

And sorry, but to knowingly withhold this vital information from the fraternity and the betting public is nothing short of disgraceful.

This is not a 1943 non-tab Gymkhana. We are in 2025 and EVERY SINGLE PERSON with a financial interest in our industry, does so under the absolute expectation that a photo finish would be in operation at every meeting conducted under the auspices of RWWA.

And if for some reason, a race, let alone a meeting had finishing positions decided without the aid of same, it should have been considered 'a given' that all interested parties would be informed in the subsequent steward's report on that meeting.

This didn't occur back on April 26, and it didn't occur in the steward's report out this morning for last Saturday's meeting.

Those in positions of power might have thought they could sweep this under the carpet if it only happened on one race night.

But we are now a full month into this non-disclosure and the rug has gotten so high and uneven that some folks are about to go backside over bosom because virtually all of the industry are aware and an ever-increasing number of punters now know too!

It is a separate issue that we haven't had a working photo finish at several meetings over the past month.

But hiding this information, or more to the point, refusing to disclose this information in post meeting reports is another and it cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.

Those culpable of omission in these meetings stewards' reports need to understand and be publicly reminded that their job is to ensure the integrity of our industry and they and those above them who have allowed this farce to continue for so long, well, sorry, but saying sorry at this late stage simply won't cut it.

JayJay · May 2025

Bunbury 24/05/2025

Stewards: R Harrod (MT), P Webster (SR), C Courtland (Remote)

Veterinary Surgeon: Dr L Black

Starters: K Bailey (Starter/Gear), W Best (Mobile/Brands)

Trainers with multiple runners in any one race were questioned in relation to their intended tactics.

Due to the photo finish being unavailable, all finishing positions
were determined by the Judges based off the official patrol footage in
conjunction with Stewards

savethegame · May 2025

Remember holding horse on the mark standing start in the 70s. It won its first start, on the night the second start, started in back straight At Kalgoorlie horse Metric Lad (Marcel) Nugget Hilz who played state footballer was in Perths team of the century was the driver well I walked across the infield stood at finishing post. The camera didn't work, and Metric Lad didn't win.anyway Metric Lad won a double that night things you remember. JayJay when you get a spare minute mid 70s?

JayJay · May 2025

Seems that the stewards did in fact "not hide the information" or "refuse to disclose it in the post meeting report" of last Saturday at Bunbury, if the published stewards report is anything to go by?

STG, it is not the first time I have had to look up Nuggets double with Metric Lad. He was by Hatari that horse and was completely hopeless for years until Nugget "transformed him"...for one night only....to "win" that double.

It was October 8th 1977 and Brent Scott (Matt's Uncle) drove a treble with New Release x 2 and Research. The other winner was Wallatoba (R.A Pinner).

I had other "dealings" with Nugget. He was the chairman of a Football Tribunal that I appeared before for alleged misdemeanors on the field during my illustrious career. I pleaded not guilty, Nugget had heard it all before, and probably had done it all before. Legend has it that he gave East Fremantle's Wilson Onions a pair of matching shiners. Anyway, I got three weeks, about par I reckon. I had a bit to do with Nugget in the years after that. He was a good bloke, a sign writer by trade. back when it was all free hand, no vinyl stickers. Very skilful.

Rocket_Reign · May 2025

JayJay said:
Seems that the stewards did in fact "not hide the information" or "refuse to disclose it in the post meeting report" of last Saturday at Bunbury, if the published stewards report is anything to go by?

STG, it is not the first time I have had to look up Nuggets double with Metric Lad. He was by Hatari that horse and was completely hopeless for years until Nugget "transformed him"...for one night only....to "win" that double.

It was October 8th 1977 and Brent Scott (Matt's Uncle) drove a treble with New Release x 2 and Research. The other winner was Wallatoba (R.A Pinner).

I had other "dealings" with Nugget. He was the chairman of a Football Tribunal that I appeared before for alleged misdemeanors on the field during my illustrious career. I pleaded not guilty, Nugget had heard it all before, and probably had done it all before. Legend has it that he gave East Fremantle's Wilson Onions a pair of matching shiners. Anyway, I got three weeks, about par I reckon. I had a bit to do with Nugget in the years after that. He was a good bloke, a sign writer by trade. back when it was all free hand, no vinyl stickers. Very skilful.

This extra info only got added to multiple stewards reports yesterday. After the owners association fired off an email

twickss · May 2025

The real reason is after 8 years of being run into the ground for very little pay, the photo finish operator took leave for the first time. They did however tell RWWA LAST YEAR that they were taking the time off. Anyone who knows them could see they were burnt out and needed it.

No idea why RWWA didn't have a plan though.

Markovina · May 2025

Havent had much time too even watch or do the form , just too busy , but it is Frid night and i was looking at Wagin with a view to having a few bets

So i just got up to Race 5 , looks a good race , Recover Lover ran slick time at Pinj and won at a huge price , its got QIP , so i look up the stewards report on the AHR site to see what the trainer said , theres just one sentence on that race , absolutely nothing - so obviously i just say to myself , forget the race , no bets

jum · June 2025

JayJay said:

I had other "dealings" with Nugget. He was the chairman of a Football Tribunal that I appeared before for alleged misdemeanors on the field during my illustrious career. I pleaded not guilty, Nugget had heard it all before, and probably had done it all before. Legend has it that he gave East Fremantle's Wilson Onions a pair of matching shiners. Anyway, I got three weeks, about par I reckon. I had a bit to do with Nugget in the years after that. He was a good bloke, a sign writer by trade. back when it was all free hand, no vinyl stickers. Very skilful.

You say 3 weeks was about fair JJ. <:-P :)) :-j ^:)^

Back then 3 weeks would be 12 nowadays.

:))

could only imagine what went on down in the LSWFL in your era.

B-)

JayJay · June 2025

A retaliatory love tap Jum.

It was prior to moving down South but the stories from old Deanmill stalwarts project some "lively" exchanges.

Worst I ever played in was the Avon Football Association in the "one umpire" days. Square ups were standard, crowd engagement not unheard of, it was warfare some days.

One day at Brookton, final siren went, we ran from the ground and locked ourselves in the change rooms to avoid rankled spectators banging on the door wanting revenge.

warrenrobinson · June 2025

Nothing like a bit of warfare on the footy field, certainly paying for it now. ;)

JayJay · June 2025

Sometimes "warfare" broke out amongst team mates? So the story goes WJR?? :))

loose_goose · June 2025

JayJay said:
A retaliatory love tap Jum.

It was prior to moving down South but the stories from old Deanmill stalwarts project some "lively" exchanges.

Worst I ever played in was the Avon Football Association in the "one umpire" days. Square ups were standard, crowd engagement not unheard of, it was warfare some days.

One day at Brookton, final siren went, we ran from the ground and locked ourselves in the change rooms to avoid rankled spectators banging on the door wanting revenge.

We got out of jail one day playing away to a very parochial home crowd of a struggling team. We trailed all day, to get a fluke goal late to get over the line. After settling in the away changerooms after game, the umpire appeared with his bag, the home team had booted him out of there changerooms, and sent him packing with no shower (It was a wet day).

JayJay · June 2025

In those days, the umps would travel up from Perth on a "milk run". They would drop an Ump off in each town en route to the final destination. Maybe York, Beverly, Brookton and Narrogin. Or Northam, Cunderdin, Kellerberrin and Merredin.

The Ump in Northam would have to wait for the car to arrive on its way back to Perth, sometimes a couple of hours. It could be a bit uncomfortable for them if emotions were running high. At Northam Railways one year, a few of us had to sit as minders with Peter Troode (who was a very good umpire), waiting for "the car" whist a few morons, well oiled from a day on the singing syrup, carried on outside.

thefalcon · June 2025

Nugget, i can picture him still, bigish blioke, swarthy with a pencil mo.

have i got it right?

savethegame · June 2025

That's him falc, pencil mo, tapered like the end of his sign writinging brush. My mate reckons when it came to fixing up the jack& Jill, he thought he was paying for Leonard da Vinci.

Jay Jay there was gun footballer from the Avon, that finished up best centre half back in the Goldfields best team,of Fifty years Alec Stack.

Know umpire who umpired a match at Northam, from the city, said he made the worst call at Northam after the game, When he had game of entanglement of arms and legs with .farmer's wife and got caught, he said trust me luck, he was built like whale Roberts & gave him a hiding, never made it back to the city for a couple days couldn't see out both eyes.

JayJay · June 2025

Barrel chested and the pencil thin moustache, spot on description of him.

Plenty of Stacks in the Avon STG, and they could all play. Alec Stack very well known, a gun.

Some big units in the Avon, slaughtermen by trade. Jesse Moore a fearsome sight charging out of Centre Half Back, not great on swerving or turning but lethal at running straight.

Another bloke at Quarading, Trevor Wauchope, think he worked at the Kelleberrin Meatworks. I had two weeks in hospital after Chopper ran through me. You never forget these things.

:))

Chariotsonfire · June 2025

On course attendances are a constant topic of discussion.

The iconic English Derby attracted only 22,000 people this year indicating to me that the halcyon on course days are well and truly behind us.

thefalcon · June 2025

very true, chariots. direct telecasts, bets on a mobile, a few stubbies on ice, comfortable lounge and if you're lucky a missus to bring you sambos......

Markovina · June 2025

Its a bit like the AFL whats a walk up start non member have to pay for a seat at an Eagles or Dockers game , it would be some insane amount id guess , where as you can just sit at home and watch it

Many years ago went to a few home and away games at both the MCG and Waverly , paid my $20 at the gate ( very reasonably priced ) and none of that hitting barcodes and websites , just decided 1 hr before the game id go and paid cash at the gate , actually did that one Sunday afternoon at the Western Oval , watched Footscray play the Eagles , who won narrowly , entertaining game

Markovina · June 2025

Race 2 last night Globe Derby Park (Sat) a very interesting race , if that is the correct word

You had the 2s On fave it led on its ear , the No 1 horse was 33s into 7 to 1 , the 2 horse ( 20 to 1) pop came out with gusto and lobbed leaders back with a sprint lane available , then the lady driver made a very bizarre decision with a lap and a half to go , came off behind the leader , and raced the fave a bit , Wayne Hill looked accross at her at the bell

Not suggesting anything untoward , but this meant the No 1 , who they put Pounds Shillings and Pence on to win at the lucrative odds got the dream run and duly saluted

I think if you were a big punter and had 2 grand on the fave you would be bitterly upset

The No 2 horse dropped out and ran 2nd last they have QDT , for mine Perry Mason , Columbo or whoever wont get her out of this pickle , but it is modern day harness racing so nothing might happen

sonny · June 2025

I saw that also,, Even Chris Murphy ..2 years for mine..

Markovina · July 2025

I wonder if Panda is going to bother to give us some information or opinion on Qld harness racing

Heard him call a race at AP last night re the Young Drivers Championship

Just some thoughts on Qld Trots re AP , never been their myself or their new track - state of their industry etc etc etc

Frog · July 2025

Also the Xmas in July at GP lunches with the first race at 2.40pm

they must be joking. Who is going to eat lunch there over 2 hours

before the first race. Surely there is planning for these events.

Hoping Matt has a better time at AP than Xmas in July meetings

here in WA. Does GP have a promotions manager ?

Just leave it to Pinjarra the best managed track in the state by a mile.

TimmyBee · July 2025

Frog said:
Also the Xmas in July at GP lunches with the first race at 2.40pm
they must be joking. Who is going to eat lunch there over 2 hours
before the first race. Surely there is planning for these events.
Hoping Matt has a better time at AP than Xmas in July meetings
here in WA. Does GP have a promotions manager ?
Just leave it to Pinjarra the best managed track in the state by a mile.

maybe the GP promotions manager can call up all the old folks homes in the area and see if they will be interested in coming

warrenrobinson · July 2025

Pinjarra should race 52 Monday's a year, GP 52 Tuesday's and Friday with all the some other clubs sharing second meeting Friday- Saturday with community clubs Sunday the only time this would change if Christmas -New Year fell on those days.

JayJay · July 2025

Nothing like a good dose of poisonous ageism from the ever charming Mr Bee but fear not, down here at the Old Folks Home, we have spent all morning pumping up the tyres on the walkers and gophers as we await the call from the Promo Manager.

Excitement at fever pitch, coins at the ready, the bus is fueled up and hopefully we can get your pleasant self involved in a game of bingo before the first? Have to warn you though that I fart a lot after a good bowl of Xmas Pudding.

TimmyBee · July 2025

JayJay said:
Nothing like a good dose of poisonous ageism from the ever charming Mr Bee but fear not, down here at the Old Folks Home, we have spent all morning pumping up the tyres on the walkers and gophers as we await the call from the Promo Manager.

Excitement at fever pitch, coins at the ready, the bus is fueled up and hopefully we can get your pleasant self involved in a game of bingo before the first? Have to warn you though that I fart a lot after a good bowl of Xmas Pudding.

Can’t get away from the truth that Majority of the “crowd” Pinjarra gets is the old folks homes….95% of them are closer to 100 then to 50…. Really helping to grow the industry…

warrenrobinson · July 2025

At least they turn up at Pinjarra and good on them. even the ducks have deserted GP. Such a waste of a very poorly managed iconic venue.

TimmyBee · July 2025

warrenrobinson said:
At least they turn up at Pinjarra and good on them. even the ducks have deserted GP. Such a waste of a very poorly managed iconic venue.

your comments always reek of sour grapes

Chopchop43 · July 2025

Honestly good on the old timers getting out to the trots on a Monday always great to have a yarn with some of the regulars there always a pretty good atmosphere at Pinjarra, however take them out of the equation and pinjarra would be just as dead as gp , northam and bunbury. The need to go on course isn't there anymore, we have the ability to punt and view races on our phone, its not just WA and its not just the trots that have felt the effects of decreasing crowds its just the world we live in today and the 3 codes have to adapt to it.

G'day Punter!

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Bunbury 24/05/2025