I think your very right there, Rick market research amongst those who bet but not on us would be more beneficial. We don't have a perceived integrity problem, we have an integrity problem, green light scandal in NSW with a participant and steward gaoled, race fixing charges and convictions in QLD and VIC, that I don't think we at the participant level take enough ownership of. Sure there are messages from the authorities that it won't be tolerated and increases in integrity funding but where is the message from the participants to the general public and punters that cheats and cheating won't be tolerated amongst our ranks?

Regardless of if its true or not the belief amongst many trainers and drivers that "certain" participants get special treatment from authorities seems to be endemic to the culture of harness racing making that perception not an easy thing to change.