The scandal

[tyson]

So reading all the articles about high profile drivers being involved in the scandal. High profile drivers, Drive for high profile trainers. High profile trainers, Train for high profile owners.

When this all started to air, I got the impression that maybe it was a select few. But i guess the scam was working too good. Seems a lot of people had a piece of the pie!!!!

This is going to be very ugly for Harness racing in NSW. It's going to be a lot bigger than anyone thought.

[triplev123]

I heard around the traps that one particular driver has already enlisted the services of THE heaviest of the heavy hitting Sydney Lawyers, Chris Murphy. Some play cricket and do their bowling with a tennis ball, some use a cricket ball, Chris Murphy bowls with shotputs. Hard as.

[David Summers]

I know that a strong defence will be mounted, but what on earth is there to defend? A lot have already admitted long term involvement hoping for a lighter penalty, so what is their reason for this "high profile" defence stuff? Peer pressure , greed , thinking they can walk away with a slap on the wrist?

I have a gut feeling that some will walk away feeling justified that they were mere victims themselves. Scumbags would feel like that. "Number one" is all that matters , that's obvious by their past illegal actions, and now they want to get onto their next drive as though nothing has happened. I would love to get inside the heads of these animals that have disgraced our industry.

No that's not what I would like to do , I would like to be a lot more physical with them , then I might need high priced legal representation myself <---- kidding here, I am far too smart for that ;)

[triplev123]

Don't know quite what the mind set is there Ozninja, that's just what I've heard. I'm thinking that if you don't think you have a case to answer then you don't need to come armed with a heavy suit. Then again, I had a mate who would think nothing of engaging a QC to defend a parking ticket so it is hard to say. Some are geared differently. No doubt there are a million stories doing the rounds. Some of them will be on the money, some of them will not. Either way, we'll know soon enough, unfortunately.

[David Summers]

"no couldn't be him, no way" , ROL , sadly I think many know who that is. "Sad" is really not the word for it , it's a tragedy that someone so talented would ever need to stoop so low in an industry that I know he deeply loves. I am really having a lot of problems coming to terms with this.

[triplev123]

G'day ROL,
What has puzzled me more than anything, and it has done so for many years now, is that you'll find so many of those who choose to take a walk on the wildside are very nice fellas.
Without mentioning any names there are 3 or 4 that I've met over the years who come to mind now that are, exclusive of their dodgy dealings, engaging, intelligent people & good company in a social situation up to the point of being the life of the party in a couple of instances.
However, for some reason or another it seems that they'd rather get 1 dishonest dollar than they would 5 honest ones.
I don't know if it's a sort of game to them, an exercise is who can outwit who...or what? Maybe it's just an ego thing...Harness Racing's answer to the ENRON smartest guys in the room routine...I'm buggered if I know.
In most cases I don't think that they head out with any real malice in their hearts either, I don't think they have any intention to do any real harm to anyone...it's just that they can somehow reconcile to themselves that theirs are victim-less crimes. Sure, there might not be some poor bugger with his nose crunched and a split lip at the end of it but there are victims in this like any other. These guys though, they just don't see it that way. Strange.

[triplev123]

"no couldn't be him, no way" , ROL , sadly I think many know who that is. "Sad" is really not the word for it , it's a tragedy that someone so talented would ever need to stoop so low in an industry that I know he deeply loves. I am really having a lot of problems coming to terms with this.

[VVV] Proportionally, Mr. X...if he is indeed the person that some suspect...will probably cop more than his fair share of the shit storm...not because his deeds are any more foul...but because so much more was thought of him to begin with & so much more was duly expected of him. I think what'll shock people the most is the 'geeze, if even he can be involved then what price others?' aspect of it.

[triplev123]

Soon to start...am heading off down to Dan Murphy's for a whack at their SA Reds. ;););)
Worked until about 3:30am then had a couple of pints, got home when the sun was almost up, then slept for a few hrs, got a coffee & some pancakes then the girls buggered off across the road to ride their bikes all day and Mrs. Triple took the opportunity for a much needed catch up on some work. Aiming up on a Stonehorse Shiraz. Life's small pleasures. I don't need to rort anyone to be happy. I think some of these blokes have a hole in their Soul.

[JCT2011]

G'day ROL,
What has puzzled me more than anything, and it has done so for many years now, is that you'll find so many of those who choose to take a walk on the wildside are very nice fellas.
Without mentioning any names there are 3 or 4 that I've met over the years who come to mind now that are, exclusive of their dodgy dealings, engaging, intelligent people & good company in a social situation up to the point of being the life of the party in a couple of instances.
However, for some reason or another it seems that they'd rather get 1 dishonest dollar than they would 5 honest ones.
I don't know if it's a sort of game to them, an exercise is who can outwit who...or what? Maybe it's just an ego thing...Harness Racing's answer to the ENRON smartest guys in the room routine...I'm buggered if I know.
In most cases I don't think that they head out with any real malice in their hearts either, I don't think they have any intention to do any real harm to anyone...it's just that they can somehow reconcile to themselves that theirs are victim-less crimes. Sure, there might not be some poor bugger with his nose crunched and a split lip at the end of it but there are victims in this like any other. These guys though, they just don't see it that way. Strange.

Agree VVV,
My problem is that alot of these high profile fellas certainly do live multiple lives, I have found out alot of the past couple of years with certain drivers, finding people the closest to them that they were significant punters themselves. If you asked me before hand there would be noway in hell that I would of believed it.
And also being a regular at Star City Casino where I use to frequent, seeing certain participants out on the town together, where as at the races they would barely speak a word!