Ballarat Pacing Cup

After the race above anyone claiming Restrepo could start double figure odds from the pole in the same race the same year would have been locked up, but it's going to happen.  And one of the big reasons for that is Terror To Love.

If there was justice in the sporting world and acclaim had connection to achievement then last weeks Cranbourne Cup would have ten million hits on youtube, not less than a thousand.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQJeomTYPKk#t=12

It was flat out incredible, what a finish!  I've watched it forty times now and each one you still can scarcely believe TTL gets up.  Run down a freakish last start Miracle Mile winning champion?  That home straight run should be everywhere, people should be telling their grandkids about it in fifty years.  It just doesn't get any better.

And yet TTL is not favourite!  He's taking on a home town champion, plus stablemates and most people seem to think lightning can't strike twice.  It's certainly a massive ask but if he happens to win tonight it will be something incredibly special.  What a race.

TTL Bet of the month... Experience champ vs up and comer leaves no doubt

Proved last start he can overcome a draw

Love the replay of 2012 Ballarat Pacing Cup

The King versus the Heir Apparent....

the finish is incredible...  SS...."looking for 17 in a row.."

Betting .. 1.01 in the straight  (made that up but that is what I would have assumed)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OlRD1MC3J4

A must watch for those that missed it !!

TTL an absolute moral if it runs up to last week. How on earth is he not fav? I have him clear fav.

Not enough credit was given to last weeks win. One of the best half dozen performances we have seen in the five years.

All aboard the TTL train tonight

So Sky are saying Emma Stewart will not be allowed to use their usual UFO sulkies on Philadelphia Man and Guaranteed.  This is quite bad news but could particularly annoy the big striding Philadelphia Man.

The net result is that TTL should shorten so if you like it get set now.  Seems like a woeful effort from stewards to spring this on everyone out of nowhere.  Why wait till now?!?  So unprofessional.  If I'd had a big bet on one of the Stewart runners I'd be furious.

If you were contemplating having a bit bet in this trot for example, are any of those runners affected?  You'd have to guess they would be but we have no possible way of telling which ones.  All I know so far is Andy Gath and Emma Stewart appear to be affected.  Elegant Image was very risky as a 3yo, so maybe he'll hate this.

With this chaos the only sensible thing to do is not bet a cent so that's what I'm doing.  Nice work stewards.

Some of these blokes need to stop grizzling.

Everyone knows it is an illegal sulky. Use it and some stage you will likely have to deal with a change

Another episode of Amateur Hour from Harness Racing.  Chief Steward says it only came to light late this week.  So um could they have not let people know yesterday.  Honestly it's just embarrassing.

you seem to be the only one anywhere taking that view Aussie


from the outside looking in why would they spring this decision on the night of a big meeting?

seems to prove what is often said about the bad management at hrv or am i missing something else?

It may be bad management Craig - I don't agree with the timing.

But I also say Emma Stewart should be ashamed of herself. She was knowlingly using an illegal sulky, and has sulked herself when found out.

A balls up all round, but the biggest offenders are those trying to get away with breaking the rules imo

Good move by HRV Media interest will multiply

Field of 4 left in the Cup....

How long have they been using these?  If someone introduces a whole new brand of sulky do they not get approved at any point?  I could just rock up in something 4 metres wide and nobody would check?

This race was going to be one of the big highlights of the last few years and it's turned into a near humiliation.  People will be thinking, what a joke.  You could almost cry for our sport.

Stinking effort to have this happen on a big night.  You have to ask how the manufacturer can make a sulky outside of the regulations.  Honestly you can not f*ck something up worse than this.

Stinking effort to have this happen on a big night.  You have to ask how the manufacturer can make a sulky outside of the regulations.  Honestly you can not f*ck something up worse than this.

Might explain why the're the two most successful stables

What a good move by Danny Mullan to run Artoc

Disgusting Emma and Aikie, hang your heads in shame.

Tried to make a point and have a mockery of a big night in doing so. Check your egos in at the door and put another sulky on, or maybe your horses are not that good when you play by the rules?

hahaha Gardenstar.  Really what can you really expect from these in-bred morons.

100's of sulkies they could've used to replace them on course and they take their bat and ball and go home.

2 inches out and they don't know ? come on

Run it as a Monte. Get Peter Tonkin to drive one and Clayton the other.

Rename it the "John Anderson Last Hurrah Stakes"

Maybe Elsu could ride the third.

John Anderson could'nt be CEO by Monday

Why does every loser have to dub something like this with the postfix of "gate"

what a mess

embarrassing scenes for harness racing

hahahahahah Ricky May decides to join in the festivities with a slaughter in a four horse field.  hahaha woweeeeeeeeeeee

hahahahahah Ricky May decides to join in the festivities with a slaughter in a four horse field.  hahaha woweeeeeeeeeeee

Honestly this has to be the most farcical night in the history of a sport that is cast

Oh dear Ricky

a debacle all round..disgraceful scenes

That might be the fastest half ever around Ballarat?

Has Ricky May left the one by one yet?

Steve Bradbury scenes

I think he was worried he might not beat Artoc home if he set the horse too big a task

If you sit back last and let the leader walk you don't win Group 1 races, everyone knows that.  Set himself a clearly impossible task so got what he deserved.

The most amazing drive was that of Michael Bellman.  Joe Costa must tell him the horse is going three times better than Smoken Up at his best before every race.  Amazing stuff.

hahahaha Geez.  Plenty of collects for Lloydy tonight in the cup.

Stewards suspending Ricky May for that effort would be the perfect icing on this cake!!  Can you possibly imagine.

Well did he give the horse every chance?  I would have no issue with it.

They've lost me. Weak days racing at Flemington and Rosehill today 1000x better vs this 'Premium' garbage at Ballarat

Head of stewards at Ballarat tonight should resign tomorrow, both trainers should be disciplened. That's what would happen in a normal organisation.

Stewards should suspend themselves. Shame on them. Even more shame on the administration (?!) for employing the Chairman in the first place, then not taking decisive action to advise all their 'stakeholders' - how they love that word - when they first became aware of this situation. Ridiculous, and getting ridiculouser.

Trackside is better than what was on offer tonight

Sums up John Anderson's reign

Anderson speaking very well for mine

I hope John Anderson finds out about his dismissal before Adam Hamilton does

Probable discussion at Ballarat Cup 2015 edition: "John Anderson...now there's a name I haven't heard for a while. Wonder what happened to him?"
"Dunno...and that other guy, the red headed former steward, Neal something, wonder where he got to?"

In what way Aussie? or are you being sarcastic

He was very transparent Craig - no excuses made. I think that is honorable.

Lordship

Good chance Neal will be heading back to SA, with his tail between his legs.

Just not up to the job.

in my opinion he said nothing

didn't take responsibility for anything - how can such a major decision with such dramatic consequences all happen without him having anything to do with it?

something like this should not happen by accident

my original understanding was this was some militant way of taking a stand - even that would have been preferable

why not when you get wind of it just walk in say - sulkies are fine - tonights not the night for this - lets run the meeting and worry about it monday

Most of these horses have been racing at Menangle recently without a whisper about this.  Will they all be relegated from those races?

This is about basic risk management.  A proactive administartion would say - we don't want farces like this to happen.  What procedures do we need to reduce our risk?

They've had decades to think about this and done nothing so this is the price we all pay.

Rod Osborne was the chairman of stewards who correctly insisted Preux Chevalier must start in the '85 Inter Dominion, which he won. Osborne defied veterinary advice. He's still alive, aged 80-something, and living in Melbourne. Get him back!

Too busy playing Blakey in On The Buses re runs

What a night.
Tonight will go down as death of Harness Racing. I should get back my entrance fee. I came to watch what would of been one of the Best Ballarat Cups ever.
I Couldnt understand all the fuss over a Sulky.
Horses have been racing in all different types for 100s of years.
Was a shocker to scratch all the horses. It was a G1 100k race. Like someone said Clayton or Pete could of Riden them.
I was told Jilliby Royal hit his knees and may of injured the horse because of the Sulky. I was lost as people still used those UFO Sulkys and they look pretty wide to me.
It should be even playing field and every horse have same Sulky supplied by HRV
Also the Drive on Terror to Love should get life. It was a great drive if you wanted to run 2nd.

On the Punting side i had a big night. Best in a while thanks to Our White Night.

Ill get slammed and abused for what i have typed but serious it was a G1 fck put a hula hoop with some rope and a skateboard out the back just fkn race

What the fark happened Lloydy and why did your trainer scratch rather than run them in slightly different but legal carts, surely she could have found at least one cart suitable for Guaranteed???

Complete and utter fark up by all concerned and it really saddens me as only the trots could manage to shoot themselves in the foot like this on  a really big night.

Unbelievable.

Also did you get my message???

Watched the replay of the Cup, my god Ricky May arguably the worst drive in history, why wouldn't you cruise to the breeze and sit there, you get exactly the same soft run and you control the race. May looked like a kid having his first drive on TTL, should be suspended purely for brain dead incompetence. It was fitting end to what was obviously a joke of a night for a sport sadly on its last legs.

Statement from HRV - Ballarat Pacing Cup night

13 December 2014
Logo

Harness Racing Victoria Chairman of Stewards Neal Conder has expressed his extreme disappointment in how proceedings played out at tonight's Ballarat and District Trotting Club's Pacing Cup meeting.

Conder issued the following statement tonight:

"We were informed by Harness Racing Australia during the week of concerns some UFO sulkies were wider than what is allowed.I informed our steward who oversees gear that when next at the races he is to measure the sulkies.He measured them at Thursday's meeting and there was no issue.

"He measured them before the first race tonight and found that some weren’t compliant with the HRA specifications.Trainers were informed they would have to change sulkies as their sulkies were outside of HRA specifications.

"Trainers were informed tonight that the sulkies were outside HRA regulations because we did not expect to find any outside of the HRA specifications.

"UFO is not a new sulky manufacturer. I’m surprised that an experienced sulky maker would supply sulkies outside of HRA specifications.

"I’m very disappointed in how tonight has unfolded. It is obviously extremely disappointing for patrons and punters, trainers, drivers, the club, owners, sponsors and everyone in the industry.
"However, we are bound by HRA specifications and it is our job to ensure that our participants adhere to those standards."

HRV has tweeted that it will work closely with the Ballarat club to look at how to best compensate patrons who attended tonight’s meeting.

It should be noted that tonight’s circumstances were completely outside of the Ballarat and District Trotting Club’s control.

Ballarat, the HRV club of the year, is a passionate supporter of harness racing in Victoria and has a stellar reputation for looking after all industry participants.

HRV Chairman Ken Latta will ask the racing integrity council to review tonight's events to ensure there is not a repeat of the situation.

Mr Latta says HRV stewards report directly to the integrity council and it would be up to the integrity council to advise on ways to improve processes around communication between stewards and participants.

Mr Latta says the board and club appreciated that the majority of trainers and drivers supported the Ballarat and District Trotting Club on their biggest night of the year.

Surely the obvious solution as soon as this situation came to light was to send an email to all trainers advising that some carts exceeded the allowable dimensions and they should be measured and if in any doubt not used until this situation had been resolved. Why wasn't this done instead of ambushing trainers at the BALLARAT CUP - making the the whole industry look like a joke? I know it makes sense even though I only post once every 2 years

Egos on BOTH sides of this debacle must have been out of control.

I don't care who was in the right, and who was in the wrong.

A classic case of "TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT".


Pathetic really -- but if you follow trots long enough -- nothing surprises.  A sad night.


Oh ... and Ricky May ... always prone to producing one of those ... you can never accuse him of being rash and impatient !!

Sat outside the reigning Grand Circuit Champ last week and too strong -- but this week he decides he can also be the sharpest sit-sprinter around ??

Every Quad was nearly into Terror to Love
Punters cop it.
Patrons who went Copped it
Owners Copped it.
Trainers High Five each other.

Im told they were Warned on Thursday

Report is finally in and CEO doesn't come out of it smelling of roses. Should be shown the door.

MEDIA STATEMENT
Thursday 21 May 2015
1959602_1\C

Commissioner delivers Report regarding the Special
Inquiry into the late scratching of horses from the
2014 (Harness Racing) Ballarat Pacing Cup

The Racing Integrity Commissioner, Sal Perna, has delivered to the
Minister for Racing and Harness Racing Victoria (HRV), a Report on
his Special Inquiry into the late scratching of six out of 10 horses
from the Harness Racing Victoria Ballarat Pacing Cup on 13 December
2014.

The Inquiry was conducted at the request of both the Minister and
HRV, seeking answers to specific questions regarding the
circumstances of the late scratching of horses in the Group 1
Ballarat Pacing Cup (Race 7) following detection by Stewards of noncompliant
(oversized width) US style sulkies that the Stewards' Panel
prohibited from racing that evening.

The Commissioner's comprehensive investigation involved his use of
'Board of Inquiry' powers to compel attendance of witnesses,
including HRV officials and racing industry participants, to answer
questions under oath and produce documents.

The Commissioner’s report outlines his findings based on evidence
obtained in the Inquiry and eight recommendations for both the
harness industry and Government (set out in Attachment 1).

The Commissioner found that there was no evidence prior to the race
meeting that non-compliant sulkies were being used in Victoria and
therefore, it was reasonable for the Stewards to think that oversized
sulkies would not be an issue at the race meeting.

Nor did the Commissioner find evidence that the non-compliant sulkies
were ordered by trainers or drivers to be manufactured contrary to
the ‘Sulky Standards’ or that the sulkies were later modified to
exceed the 'Sulky Standards'.

The decision of the Stewards' Panel was either questioned or
challenged during the race meeting by both participants and HRV
management, who entered the Stewards’ Room a number of times
encouraging the Stewards to reconsider their decision. Despite these
approaches, the Stewards' Panel maintained its decision, but afforded
the participants the opportunity to swap sulkies.

The Commissioner determined that the Stewards' Panel took the correct
course of action, in accordance with the Rules of Racing, in
prohibiting the use of sulkies that breached the Rules.

Sal Perna

RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSIONER

https://assets.justice.vic.gov.au/ric/resources/34e5b9c8-9282-47ec-9a3a-56bc...

ATTACHMENT 1

Commissioner’s Findings

The Commissioner made the following findings in his report:

1. HRV Stewards first became aware of a potential issue with
oversized sulkies on Wednesday 10 December 2014, following
advice from Harness Racing Australia (HRA) of a complaint
regarding their possible use and requesting HRV Stewards to
measure sulkies at future race meetings.

2. HRV Stewards had not been provided with any evidence prior to
the Ballarat Pacing Cup meeting on 13 December 2014 that noncompliant
(oversized) sulkies were being used in Victoria and
as such there was no reason for the Stewards to think that
oversized sulkies would be an issue at the Ballarat Pacing Cup
meeting.

3. There was an industry assumption that the US-based manufacturer
of the sulkies, the Australian sulky distributor, the sulky
owners (HRV registered trainers and drivers) and the Stewards,
would all ensure that the sulkies complied with the Rules of
Racing and the ‘Sulky Standards’(i.e. a maximum width of
1300mm). However, what was identified, was that little, if any,
compliance checking was conducted by any of those parties.
4. The UFO model sulky was approved for use in Australia by
Harness Racing Australia (HRA) in October 2012 following an
extensive testing program required. The UFO ‘Aussie Alien’
model sulky (a non-offset variation) was approved by HRA in
July 2014 without similar testing.

5. The first known order of an ‘Aussie Alien’ in Victoria, later
determined to be oversized, was 20 March 2014. That sulky was
subsequently used in numerous races and until it was measured
at the Ballarat Pacing Cup meeting.

6. There is no evidence that the non-compliant sulkies were
ordered by trainers or drivers to be manufactured contrary to
the Sulky Standards or that the sulkies were later modified to
exceed the 'Sulky Standards'.

7. Following HRV receipt of the HRA advice on 10 December 2014,
regarding their potential use, the HRV Chairman of Stewards
immediately directed the HRV 'Compliance Steward' to measure
sulkies at future race meetings and report back to him.

8. Only one HRV Steward has dedicated ‘Compliance Steward’
responsibilities, including the checking of sulkies against the
‘Sulky Standards’. However, over time that Compliance Steward
has performed most of his duties as a member of the Stewards’
Panel at race meetings.

9. The first race meeting at which the Compliance Steward was
rostered following the HRA advice of 10 December 2014, was at
Tabcorp Park, Melton on 11 December 2014. Whilst the
Compliance Steward was rostered on the Stewards’ Panel, he
nonetheless examined US-style sulkies. All measured sulkies
complied with the Sulky Standards (1300mm width).

10. The first confirmation of the use of a non-compliant sulky was
at the Ballarat Pacing Cup meeting on 13 December 2014 when the
Compliance Steward (while rostered on a Stewards' Panel)
commenced measuring sulkies prior to Race 1 at approximately
6.30pm. The first UFO ‘Aussie Alien’ examined was measured at
1350mm, thereby exceeding the approved width of 1300mm in the
‘Sulky Standards’. The next two UFO ‘Aussie Aliens also
measured at 1350mm. All three affected trainers/drivers were
subject to a unanimous ruling of the Stewards that there was no
discretion under the Rules of Racing and the ‘Sulky Standards’
to permit oversized sulkies to be used. The three affected
trainers/drivers sourced replacement sulkies and took part in
Race 1.

11. Prior to Race 2, six more sulkies were measured. Five were
found to be compliant (including an ‘Aussie Alien’)but another
’Aussie Alien’ was found to be oversized (1350mm).

12. After Race 2 (7.00pm), a further four sulkies were measured,
one of which, a ‘Dooza’ brand sulky, measured at 1325mm.

13. The Stewards' Panel issued no formal communication to
participants or generally on the basis that their decision not
to permit non-compliant sulkies would be common knowledge
through participants talking to each other or seeing horses
return to the ‘horse movement area’ to swap sulkies.

14. The decision of the Stewards' Panel continued to be either
questioned or challenged during the race meeting by both
participants and HRV management who entered the Stewards’ Room
a number of times encouraging the Stewards to reconsider their
decision. At one point HRV management advised the Stewards
that they were considering overruling the Stewards' Panel.
Despite these approaches, the Stewards' Panel maintained its
decision, but afforded the participants the opportunity to swap
sulkies.

15. As a result of the Stewards’ advice to trainers and drivers
that the decision not to allow non-compliant sulkies would not
be changed, at 8.53pm two trainers chose to withdraw their
horses from the Pacing Cup due to start at 9.32pm. One trainer
(Emma Stewart) had four runners in the Cup and the other (David
Aiken) had two runners. Whilst the official records will
indicate that these four horses were ‘scratched’, the fact is
that they were ‘withdrawn’. As a consequence of the six
‘scratchings’, four horses were left to compete in the Group 1
Race. Both trainers, who had become aware of issues with
oversized sulkies earlier that evening, cited a number of
reasons why they would not, or could not, swap sulkies.

16. A total of 20 sulkies were checked on the evening of the
Ballarat Pacing Cup race meeting. Seven were detected as non-
compliant (oversized in width). Six were UFO ‘Aussie Aliens’
(1350mm) and one was a ‘Dooza’(1325mm).

18. Both legally and operationally, the Stewards could not have
permitted the use of the oversized sulkies. The ‘Sulky Standard’
is clear and prescriptive and the relevant Rule allows for no
discretion. Accordingly, the Stewards' Panel took the correct
course of action, in accordance with the Rules of Racing, in
prohibiting the use of sulkies that breached the Rules.

19. There was a lack of (timely) communication to participants by
the Stewards and/or HRV management in relation to the Stewards’
detection of non-compliant sulkies and decision to prohibit
same.

20. There is a lack of clarity and understanding of the Rules of
Racing relevant to the powers of the Stewards and HRV as a
‘Controlling Body’.

Commissioner’s Recommendations

The Commissioner has made the following eight Recommendations as a
result of this Special Inquiry and Findings:

Recommendation 1 - That HRV immediately restore the dedicated
position of Compliance Steward.

Recommendation 2 - That HRV introduce a training process that
provides all Stewards with skills and knowledge in compliance.

Recommendation 3 - That HRV introduce a requirement that Stewards’
Panels at all race meetings consist of a minimum of four Stewards,
one of which is the dedicated compliance steward.

Recommendation 4 - That HRV introduce a requirement that integrity
officials, not only Stewards, but also others that come under the
‘General Manager Integrity’ organisational structure such as industry
liaison/licensing and investigations, be required to maintain an
official work diary.

Recommendation 5 -      That HRV amend the Rules of Racing to introduce
the requirement that participants must advise of a change to their
sulkies.

Recommendation 6 - That HRV urge HRA to introduce a requirement that
every new sulky that is purchased or obtained for use in Harness
Racing, is, prior to its use in racing, subject to testing which

Recommendation 7 - That HRV commission a review of the Rules of
Racing relating to Stewards’ powers and the powers
includes measuring of the width of a sulky to ensure that the sulky
conforms to the ‘Sulky Standard’.
of the controlling
body with a view to eliminating lack of clarity and understanding.

Recommendation 8 - That this Government reconsider my previous
recommendation to amend the Racing Act 1958 to establish an
independent body with responsibility for integrity across the three
codes and remove such responsibility from the controlling bodies.(See
Recommendation 11, 2012 Own Motion Inquiry into Race Fixing dated 23
January 2013).