Quote Originally Posted by Messenger View Post
A bit of a stretch Dot, we have quite a number of drivers and we would not have drivers going around in the simplistic colours of the dogs
It would be more like having to remember all the flags of the world
I cannot see how it would help the scenario you painted in post 12
Seriously Kev you don’t think the stewards on their patch and the regular watchers and punters don’t know who each driver is regardless of the colours worn? Many drivers are already wearing only one set of colours as driver of only their own horses, and wouldn’t limiting the free lancers to their own colours reduce the number of “flags” to be remembered, making it easier for the stewards to do their job? And for punters and fans to learn in time who they are?

Would love to say we don’t have any corrupt conduct occurring on the track but we do, the convicted and disqualified Cramps, the Cobram Crew currently awaiting another court date, the recently charged Mr Walters ( and we do all know who was driving the winner there don’t we?). People did notice irregularities in the way certain drivers drove during the green light scandal, maybe all that would have been fully brought to light much sooner if those drivers were in the same colours every drive so more people noticed something wasn’t quite right.

You don’t think uniform driver colours would make it easier for the industrys form stewards to monitor drivers “form” as well as horse form in their reviews. Would have to be easier for law enforcement who aren’t so familiar with harness racing to review races where their “suspect” is always in the same colours as they build a brief of evidence, and for prosecutors to present that evidence to a non harness racing familiar judge or jury.

Driver colours are not saying all drivers are corrupt, they aren’t, it’s also giving drivers an opportunity to grow their own brand, and our brand, and it is proven that known drivers do increase turnover at a meeting, and at the same time providing an opportunity to bring those who maybe crossing the line to account sooner, and reduce temptation to others to cross the line.

Our future as an industry isn’t about what individuals want, or what happens in “our sister code” which isnt facing extinction as we are, it about doing what it takes to improve the actual and perceived integrity of our industry, along with increasing interest and investment.

Rick says trainers and owners would walk away if they couldn’t use their colours, well I’m an owner and a trainer, I wouldn’t walk away, I can say a few would bluff and bluster about walking away but I’d bet they wouldn’t do it.