Maybe reason for difference in penalties is because a horse got injured the second time?
Maorisidol I don't know of any relevent priors, as far as I know Shayne is pretty clean but I stand to be corrected if clumsy can prove otherwise?
For the record Maria Caterina raced this Tuesday just gone, she had a bit of skin off from the incident 2 weeks earlier.
On Tuesday there were 7 races, 4 horses were swabbed, you guessed it only the Cramp horses swabbed. The other 3 non-Cramp trained winners were not swabbed.
When Shayne Cramp came back from WA he worked damn hard networking to bring new owners to the stable and bring in better class horses from NZ, from the yearling sales, and also claims in town (eg Ragpickers Dream). They also invested heavily in a deep sand track and their UFO sulky.
The guy works as hard as anyone. Last week he drove down to Melton (6-7 hours drive), after the races he loaded his horses back on the float and drove all the way back to Mildura, then was up at 6am to work horses.
If anyone scratches their head wondering why the Cramp stable is firing they need only to look at these facts and realise they have got better horses that are fitter and are using better equipment.
Also helps that the horses they are racing against are the same old tired horses going around up there week after week, the type of horses that Cramp would sack.
Maybe reason for difference in penalties is because a horse got injured the second time?
This matter is now under appeal
Little Fish
You are quite right I have mistaken the fact that Cramp was involved but he did not receive any penalty,sorry.
My opinion is that Cramp deliberately turned his horse into Maria Caterina. At no point after the incident did Cramp turn his back to either offer an apology or see if all was ok with MC. Cramp simply didn't like having anyone stick it to him.
After unfairly having my earlier post removed,I quote the following:
22 September 2010 Harness Media Release
RWWA Stewards today concluded an inquiry into the actions of Gary Hall Jnr (Spirit of Shard NZ) shortly after the finish of Race 4 the Centurion Claiming Pace (2536M) at Gloucester Park on Friday 17th September 2010.
At today’s resumption, further evidence was taken from Gary Hall Jnr and Nathan Turvey (Parasite NZ). In addition enhanced vision of the incident was viewed.
Mr Hall was found guilty to a charge of having driven in an improper manner issued under the provisions of Harness Rule 168(1) in that he attempted to strike Mr Turvey with the whip shortly after passing the Winning Post.
His driver’s licence was suspended for a period of 6 weeks from midnight 22nd September 2010.
In determining penalty Stewards took into consideration the seriousness of the offence, Mr Hall’s good record and his personal circumstances.
Stewards also inquired into the actions of Mr Turvey racing towards the front straight on the final occasion. Whilst they had some reservations regarding his actions they did not consider the evidence sufficient to proceed with the matter.
WILLIAM J DELANEY
Chief Steward - Harness
My point being that Hall & Cramp (best of mates) are undoubtedly talented but have a lot of maturing to do.