South Australia

[allanjg]

she`s Baaack! trials 1 and 3 Gawler sunday 10th 2019.

[Messenger]

Have you a link Allan?
I cannot find trials fields

[allanjg]

i had lovable larrikin black booked and when i walked away from the trotting industry i forgot to shut down my black book. hence when he was entered i was notified..being a 12yo now i would have thought that he would be well retired.they are square gaiting him now it seems. i followed the link on black book to gawler trials....trained by f.pullicino,driven by gaita pullicino. now that she`s back in action i will be taking a bit of interest again.

[thepacingman]

Racing needs those colourful characters who are honest as the day is long. Adds to the entertainment value. :D
I'll be keeping an eye out for what shenanigans she gets up to next.
See that her son Tony still has another six years on his DQ.

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=AW101119

[allanjg]

well i said that i would be taking an interest again,and last night at globe derby race 1.wham bam thank you maam....lovable larrakin since resuming has had 11 starts for a average placing of seventh not counting 1 r [i presume retired] 70 mtrs last galloping after tirering badly.. i won`t describe the race ,rather leaving you all to watch and decide for your selves... well worth the watch....:confused:

[Messenger]

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GD290220#GDC29022006

$9.10 on the tote

A claiming race with a few around these odds except for an odds-on fav
This was only his 4th start after a 2yr break
He is now 13yo

It was some win considering the run he had

[Showgrounds]

The term chaff bandit came about with much of that field in mind.

If I read any stories on the driver's "comeback win" I'll chunder!

[gutwagon]

Stewards seemed to miss that she was out of position at start ! She has picked up where she left off ! A blight on the industry.

[Messenger]

A $59 winner for Gaita as driver at Globe Derby tonight, the mares first win for 2½yrs but she did have a 1½yr break before her last 3 starts

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GD210320#GDC21032009

[Showgrounds]

This story slipped past me and is now three weeks old. Not that this matters, because it is the never ending story!

www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/superracing/sa-racing/harness-racing-sa-gives-drivers-licence-to-notorious-racing-figure-gaita-pullicino/news-story/a5e99f8d194888e1373c1a2318d98a83

Nothing can highlight the fact that Harness Racing in SA is totally stuffed more than this story. "A second chance", they say. Arithmetic, obviously, is not a prerequisite skill to be the HRSA Chief Executive going by what Brendan Neal is quoted to say. I can count, and the article list at least 13 guilty priors for Gaita.

Peterprofit.com today shows in detail the offences in VCAT's determination to permanently ban Gaita. It makes compelling reading yet HRV initially and now South Australia have entertained her persistence to remain in harness racing. In doing so, they undermine the interest of honest participants and the integrity of the industry they are entrusted to promote and grow. And, for a full chunder, HRSA post a video interview with Gaita saying how grateful she is for being given a second chance.

Gaita can't count, either. Maybe she is a shoe-in for the Chairman of Stewards job now Simon Ewen has resigned. Then again, Rod Weightman is just twiddling his thumbs at the moment!

[Messenger]

This story slipped past me and is now three weeks old. Not that this matters, because it is the never ending story!

www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/superracing/sa-racing/harness-racing-sa-gives-drivers-licence-to-notorious-racing-figure-gaita-pullicino/news-story/a5e99f8d194888e1373c1a2318d98a83

Nothing can highlight the fact that Harness Racing in SA is totally stuffed more than this story. "A second chance", they say. Arithmetic, obviously, is not a prerequisite skill to be the HRSA Chief Executive going by what Brendan Neal is quoted to say. I can count, and the article list at least 13 guilty priors for Gaita.

Peterprofit.com today shows in detail the offences in VCAT's determination to permanently ban Gaita. It makes compelling reading yet HRV initially and now South Australia have entertained her persistence to remain in harness racing. In doing so, they undermine the interest of honest participants and the integrity of the industry they are entrusted to promote and grow. And, for a full chunder, HRSA post a video interview with Gaita saying how grateful she is for being given a second chance.

Gaita can't count, either. Maybe she is a shoe-in for the Chairman of Stewards job now Simon Ewen has resigned. Then again, Rod Weightman is just twiddling his thumbs at the moment!

In case that linked page changes (for non Advertiser subscribers)

[Showgrounds]

Sorry all, I should have realised this story was paywalled. If you have a news.com.au subscription you can access the story. I'll try and copy it and let it again.

[Showgrounds]

Sorry all, I should have realised this story was paywalled. If you have a news.com.au subscription you can access the story. I'll try and copy it and let it again.

I have now copied the story, first published in The Advertiser in Adelaide on 1 August. And she drove another winner tonight.

Harness Racing SA gives driver’s licence to notorious racing figure Gaita Pullicino
One of Australia’s most controversial harness racing figures is competing in SA despite serious disqualifications and fines stretching back 30 years, including doping horses.

Colin James, The Messenger
|
August 1, 2020 9:41am

South Australia’s peak harness racing body has defended its decision to allow one of the ailing sport’s most controversial individuals to compete.

Harness Racing SA (HRSA) granted a driver’s licence six months ago to veteran driver and trainer Gaita Pullicino despite serious misdemeanours reaching back 30 years.

Mrs Pullicino, 64, incurred repeated disqualifications and fines for doping horses, punching a witness during an inquiry, hiding from stewards in a wardrobe, hitting another driver with a whip and being at stables and racetracks while banned.

One of the most recent incidents involving Mrs Pullicino was in 2017, when she ran away from stewards at a Melbourne horse training property with a satchel that she refused to hand over, along with her mobile phone.

HRSA chief executive Ross Neal confirmed Mrs Pullicino had been allowed back into the industry in January after she and her husband, Frank, moved from Victoria two years ago.

Mr Neal, a former head of racing integrity in New Zealand, said he had met with Mrs Pullicino to explain there would be “zero tolerance” for any misconduct.

“She is well aware of the consequences should there be any issue in relation to the way she conducts herself in South Australia,” he said.

Mr Neal said the HRSA board was fully aware of Mrs Pullicino’s checkered history before it granted her a driver’s licence.

“It was always going to be a controversial decision but the board at the time believed people should be afforded a second chance and that she had served her time,” he said.

Mr Neal said regular inspections by HRSA stewards had been conducted of the stables operated by Mr and Mrs Pullicino on Barrabba Rd, Mallala.

Mrs Pullicino’s presence has disturbed some harness racing industry participants, with regular commentary on social media about dramatic performance improvements by some of the couple’s horses.

Mr Neal said horses trained by Mr Pullicino and driven by his wife had been subjected to drug tests before and after they had raced.

“All of the horses have been swabbed regularly and all of those swabs have been sent to Victoria for testing,” he said.

Mr Neal said Mrs Pullicino had been told “that any breaches of any of our rules will have dire consequences”.

“To date, seven months into the season, she hasn’t given us any reason for concern.”

Mrs Pullicino is currently sixth on the state premiership table, with 30 winners and 47 placegetters this season from 251 drives.

Several of the horses she has driven for her husband, who was granted a trainer’s license by HRSA, have gone from being unplaced in previous races to recording consecutive wins.

Mr Neal said nothing untoward had been detected in blood and urine tests undertaken on the horses.

“In support of the Pullicinos, they are good trainers and South Australia needs good trainers,” he said.

“They present their horses well and they race well.

“They have a good record over the years in regards to their training of their horses.”

The couple’s move to South Australia in 2018 followed a permanent disqualification of Mrs Pullicino by Harness Racing Victoria in 2008, which was upheld by the Victorian Civil and Administration Tribunal (VCAT) in 2009.

In a damning judgment, VCAT Deputy President Anne Coghlan found Mrs Pullicino was “not a fit and proper person” to be involved in harness racing.

“Her pattern of past offences is very serious,” she said.

“It reveals that Mrs Pullicino over a substantial period of time has not kept to the rules, that she is dishonest and has no regard for the regulators of harness racing.

“She has already had many chances to show she is reformed but on her return from disqualification, she has again repeatedly offended.”

Mrs Coghlan said Mrs Pullicino wrongly believed she had been victimised.

“At every turn, she has claimed she has been treated badly by the stewards, singled out, harassed and picked on,” said her judgment.

“She pleaded that she be given a second chance.

“She apologised, said she was sorry for what she had done and promised to obey the rules.”

Instead, Mrs Pullicino had continued to break the law, including injecting horses with prohibited substances such as methamphetamine, phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone and phenobarbitone.

“In 1999 she got into serious trouble with a horse called Nuclear Ash and events surrounding a disciplinary hearing,” said Mrs Coghlan.

“The offences included the doping of the horse and misrepresenting who was its trainer.”

Mrs Coghlan said during an inquiry into Nuclear Ash, Mrs Pullicino punched a witness before telling a relative, Paul Pullicino, to “hit the c …”.

GAITA PULLICINO’S TRACK RECORD
June 1991: Suspended for three months for wilfully supplying false information

December 1991: Fined $10,000 for having a disqualified person on her property

February 1992: Disqualified for 12 months for failing to allow a horse to run on its merits

April 1992: Disqualified for six months for abusing and striking another driver with a whip after a race

February 1995: Disqualified for two years for presenting a horse, Give Us A Gift, with banned substances including amphetamine

November 1998: Convicted and fined $3000 for fraudulently collecting prize-money from Give Us A Gift

July 1999: Disqualified for six months for giving false and misleading information about another horse, Nuclear Ash; disqualified for two years for presenting Nuclear Ash with a prohibited substance; disqualified for 12 months for conspiring to deceive the public about Nuclear Ash; disqualified for six months and fined $10,000 for assaulting a witness during a steward’s inquiry

January 2001: Disqualified for 12 months for attending race meetings six times in Tasmania while disqualified

February 2004: Disqualified for 3 years for being on a horse training property run by her son while disqualified

September 2006: Disqualified for 611 days for driving a horse while disqualified, fined $10,000 for abusing stewards and interfering with an inquiry

May 2008: Application for a driver’s and stable hand licence refused by Harness Racing Victoria

May 2009: Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal upholds decision, finding Pullicino “not a fit and person”

September 2013: Granted probationary driver’s and training licence with limit of six horses

March 2014: Stewards’ inspection finds more than six horses on her property

September 2014: Inquiry finds she breached her trainer’s licence conditions and it is cancelled

September 2015: Unsuccessfully appeals to Victorian Supreme Court against the decision

May 2017: Runs away from stewards at a Victorian property with a satchel and mobile phone, which she refuses to hand over. Horses at property banned from racing until tests show they are drug-free

August 2018: Disqualified for 12 months for preparing to inject horses with prohibited substances and failing to hand over the satchel and mobile phone

March 2019: Permission granted by Victorian court to live at Mallala on condition she not enter any area connected to harness racing such as stables, treatment sheds, paddocks or training tracks.

January 2020: Granted a driver’s licence by Harness Racing SA while husband Frank, a former truck driver, is granted a trainer’s licence. Couple start competing at SA harness racing meetings.

“That she would take matters into her own hands in that way during a disciplinary hearing suggests a total lack of respect for authority and a total lack of personal control and is disgraceful conduct,” she said.

In April 2005, Mrs Pullicino tried to stop stewards from entering a Victorian property where she and her husband were training horses.

“There is video footage of the visit, her behaviour is atrocious,” said Mrs Coghlan.

“Swearing, pushing the stewards, claiming they had no right to enter and demanding they leave.

“When repeatedly asked by the stewards which horses were on the property, she refused to answer claiming ‘that’s my business’.”

During another visit by stewards to stables run by her son — where Mrs Pullicino could not be because of disqualification — she was “caught red-handed” hiding in a wardrobe before claiming she had visited the property to use the toilet.

Mrs Coglan said that while she accepted Mrs Pullicino might be an experienced trainer and driver with more than 1500 winners, her record “reveals very serious departures from the rules”.

“She has failed to let a horse run on its merits, she has abused and hit another driver,” she said.

“Her record demonstrates that she has the temper of someone clearly with anger management problems who, even though disqualified, continued to breach the rules and was further disqualified.

“It reveals she is a person who has an ongoing lack of respect not only for the stewards and those who regulate harness racing but for the rules of harness racing.”

Mrs Coglan said while Mr Pullicino, a truck driver, had applied in Victoria for a trainer’s licence “it is difficult to conclude other than that the reality would be Mrs Pullicino would be training and driving the horses”.

“Given the nature of harness racing, if she were given a driver’s licence she would potentially effectively be able to run the whole show,” she said.

Refusing to grant Mrs Pullicino a licence, Mrs Coglan said for an industry such as harness racing to operate properly “it is important that those who participate in it have respect for the authority of the stewards and adhere to the rules”.

“I am not satisfied that Mrs Pullicino has that respect and would adhere to the rules,” she said.

Contacted for comment, Mrs Pullicino said she appreciated being given a second chance and was abiding by the rules of harness racing under the conditions of her licence.

“I know I have made mistakes in the past and I am very, very grateful for Harness Racing South Australia for giving me this opportunity with my horses,” she said.

“I believe the people of South Australia will accept me and South Australia is now my home.”

[gutwagon]

Thanks for that Trevor, I was staggered when I saw here name appear earlier in the year. It's just a joke that someone with her record could ever get a licence again. They can keep her !

[Messenger]

If this is the way our officials think. They make us all look like mugs

[Showgrounds]

Globe Derby Park used to be home to the Australian Trotting Hall of Fame, the imposing bluestone barn near the apex of the turn out of the main straight. It was a pretty good initiative but died, probably through a lack of interest. It later became offices. I have long proposed a Harness Racing Hall of Shame as the number of miscreants seems to be outnumbering heroes as time goes on. Perhaps the old bluestone building could be repurposed.

Upon their passing, nominees could be cast in bronze and put on display. I'd suggest alphabetical order so that N for Neal could be next to P for Pullicino. Holding hands, perhaps.

[Messenger]

Rightio, I don't follow SA harness racing but tonight at Terang the 2yo winner came from there
QUESTION: What track is South Australia
That is what is showing in the Form Guide
It is what I find when I go to the results for that meet
But when I go HRA's Tracks page there is no track called South Australia

[aussiebreno]

From the meeting calendar and race distances looks like 4x races at Port Pirie and 4x races at Mt Gambier. Maybe because of horse population can't have full meetings at those places but Sky/TAB won't run a 4 race meeting?

[Messenger]

Thanks for the detective work Brendan, that would make sense and would seem to be good initiative even if it is indicative of an industry in distress

[Messenger]

This is of course SA's greater woe

Three new committee members quit in protest last week after the club negotiated a $3.5m loan facility at 12% with a Queensland developer, with all of its assets put up as security
I think we all know this QLD developer and harness identity. You would hope that that was a misprint in the paper and should have read 1.2%

AND

Facing deregistration over its dire financial position it has put another property developer into receivership over a $2.5m debt

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/superracing/sa-racing

If you go to the SA webpage you will not find a tab for news on the top menu but there is one at the bottom of the page
Is it any wonder that clicking on it shows nothing under News

http://www.saharnessracing.com/site/

[Showgrounds]

In a nutshell, SAHRC owns Globe Derby Park but HRSA runs racing. It owes the Club in excess of $300k in rent and is refusing to pay up. Instead HRSA is doing everything it can to have the Club declared insolvent and wound up. No doubt the juicy tracts of real estate the Club is trying to sell along Port Wakefield Rd are in HRSA's sights. It does not seem at all interested in promoting harness racing. That's why you get ludicrous situations with a meeting being run several hundred kilometres apart.

Kevin Seymour's financial backing has given the Club some ammunition to right off HRSA and bankruptcy. If the best HRSA can do to promote the sport is use Gaita as it's pinup it's already backrupt. Morally, at least.

[Messenger]

Catching up on some reading (from Dec 18)

SAHRC EXPELLED AS MEMBER OF HRA

http://www.harness.org.au/NEWS/news2/uploads/SAHRC%20Expelled%20as%20a%20Member%20of%20HRA%2018 1220.pdf

[Messenger]

We are all accustomed to the old 9.99 trick to make things sound cheaper
But why would Globe Derby have 6 races for $4,999 tonight instead of $5,000?
I will send you the $6 if you really cannot afford it
They're not alone in that Tamworth have 6 races for $5,999
Tamworth also have a couple of races for $8k+
Sad when NSW's secondary meet for the night has GD beat

[aussiebreno]

Can only find the original release of Net Ratings, assume prizemoney brackets must have changed and the $5000 and $6000 races may give the winner an extra rating point?

[Messenger]

Wondered that too
So change the brackets to $5,001 etc

[Messenger]

Lets Get Shorty apparently raced as Jakes Sportswriter in R5 at Globe Derby last night (a race won by his stablemate) and was Disqualified from the event
while Jakes Sportswriter who was going to race as Lets Get Shorty in R7 was a late scratching

Was it all an incompetent mistake?
I have read suggestions that the betting needs to be analysed and that the horses look nothing alike
Add to this that Wayne Hill has driven them both more than once in the past, how could such a mistake happen and get past the stewards
Jake is NR 77 while Shorty is a NR 49

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GD040921

[Messenger]

Stewards Report

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/stewards-reports/stewards-reports-detail/?mc=GD040921

R5

[Showgrounds]

Amazingly efficient work to have the stewards report for this meeting on the website well within 24 hours. What a shame the report for the race in question reads like a script from Play School. Obviously, this has been written on the assumption everyone reading it is a simpleton. I guess it highlights the need for all stewards officiating at meetings need access to live betting data from all betting agencies, although I do not know how much "Jake's Sportswriter", the fake one, blew in the betting. Having just watched this race again, and previous ones of the real Jake's Sportswriter there appears no plausible way to me that "Shorty" could be mistaken by anybody closely associated with the stable, eg, a regular stable hand.

Shorty is, as his name suggests, short and the race replay shows him to be a small horse. Jake is taller with a more robust build. Any wrongdoing could have been immediately exposed by the stewards had the seized fake Jake's hopples and checked other gear. There is no mention of this occurring in the stewards report, so I assume a major oversight from lack of diligence has occurred. Again.

No detail is given regarding the veterinary inspection of Lets Get Shorty at "around 9:20 PM", just 7 minutes before it was due to race. The stewards report for race 7 states the horse was scratched at 9:25. The vet and stewards concluded the horse had been the same horse that raced less than an hour earlier. No kidding! It's damp coat with steam coming off it, flaired nostrils and heavy breathing didn't really need the vet's opinion.

The unanswered question of paramount importance is which horse was geared up and presented to race in race 7? If it was Shorty, stable representatives are immediately suspects of a cover up. And if it wasn't? Someone with a bold personality is hanging by a thread of fine cotton in hope that HRSA botches its investigation. If, by chance, it doesn't botch it the perportrator(s) might expect to receive re-education at an old fashioned royal school. Not much of a view, though, Yamaha in not renowned for its regal vistas.

[Messenger]

Don't the stewards check horse ID's before they go onto the track? I can't be sure that I always see this happen at the trots but I certainly see it at the gallops

[Beltane]

Andrew Rule and Mark Buttler commented on the situation above in their weekly column (8 September 2021) in the Sun Hearld:

DID SOMEONE FINALLY COTTON ON?

Cheeky harness racing fans are calling it “another Fine Cotton”.

They’re referring to a recent race in South Australia in which a well-backed horse won after the hot favourite was “taken on” by a stablemate of the eventual winner.

At first, it sounds like a simple case of illicit team driving, which is allowed in Europe but not here.

But this case is more serious than that, according to the grapevine.

The dogs are barking that the stablemate that did the hard yards to soften up (meaning tire out) the favourite was in fact an average horse racing under the name of a better horse: let’s say, for example, that Slowpoke Brown secretly stood in for Speedy Bay, whose name was in the race book.

According to the rumour mill, the plan was for Slowpoke and Speedy to be confused for one another right through the race meeting … the pay-off being that Speedy would run in Slowpoke’s place (and attractive odds) two races later. Allegedly.

If the switch was discovered, it might all be dismissed as a stupid case of mistaken identity because of the fact the trainer of the three horses concerned wasn’t at the race meeting, giving his deputies the chance to accidentally mix up two of his many horses.

Whatever the reason, someone might have rumbled the switch — or got cold feet — because “Slowpoke” was a sudden late scratching from its race.

Which was another leg of the quadrella.

For educated money, getting favourites beaten in two legs of the quaddie would be a chance for a betting bonanza, especially if such information reached exotic betting markets around the globe.

If the trainer of the three horses — Slowpoke, Speedy and Lucky — was a Sunday school teacher with a spotless record, the idea of a clumsy mistake might be credible.

But he is a lunatic with a record longer than Ivan Milat’s.

If the authorities don’t keep it all in-house, police might take a look at some people’s connections with organised crime. Bikies or mafia or both?

These hypothetical police might also have a long talk to those who worked at the race meeting. Horses can look similar to each other — but the big numbers freeze branded on their necks are very different.

Whether it was a mistake or huge rort, if the switch happened it means someone didn’t check the brands.

[Messenger]

Further reports circulating, suggesting this was not simply a mix up

[Showgrounds]

Further reports circulating, suggesting this was not simply a mix up

If its website is anything to go by HRSA is terminal. If you look at the Welfare and Integrity menu nothing at all is recorded for 2021.

The last finalised inquiry was into the banned Nathan Jack's training of Amanda Turnbull's horses on 4 December. What do you reckon the chances are of Turnbull being charged, as stated in the HRSA media release, are now?

And, yes Kev, it appears the absent through illness trainer of the horses involved may only have been absent through illness when the stewards became aroused.

[Messenger]

HRSA Stewards have continued their investigations into the circumstances in which the registered horse LETS GET SHORTY contested Race 5 at Globe Derby Park on Saturday 4th September 2021 in place of stablemate, JAKE SPORTSWRITER.

On Wednesday 8 September 2021 Stewards heard further evidence from Trainers S Loone and W Gowley and Stablehand A Ward as well as the drivers who drove the three Loone trained runners, W Hill, D Smith and MA Smith. The Steward’s investigations have been widened to include whether subsequent to Race 5 there was an attempt by parties to conceal the substitution.

During the hearing Mr Loone explained that he had intended to only transport horses to and from the race meeting as advised but acknowledged he had spent a short period on course.

In addition, Stewards have ordered the registered horses JAKE SPORTWRITER and LETS GET SHORTY be stood down for a period of twenty-eight days which will remain subject to review.

Records from all betting agencies which operated on the Globe Derby race meeting are being examined together with the Pari-Mutuel records for Trifecta, Pick 4 and Quadrella betting.

In addition, Stewards have sought an independent investigation by SAPOL Officers to access broader powers of investigation to identify whether potential breaches of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act [SA] have occurred. SAPOL will examine whether breaches of Sections of the Act including 144H—Engaging in conduct that corrupts betting outcome of event; 144I—Facilitating conduct that corrupts betting outcome of event; and 144J—Concealing conduct or agreement.

HRSA’s approach to SAPOL occurred following ongoing discussions regarding cooperation between the parties and indicates that the Stewards and HRSA Board are committed to ensuring a thorough, independent investigation into this matter. Results of the full investigation are pending and will be released once finalised.

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=49602

I think we can be satisfied that this is being thoroughly investigated

[Messenger]

This is truly pathetic - SA can no longer afford $6,999 races at metro Globe Derby meets anymore

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=50251

[Messenger]

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=50675

Fields for the Southern Cross Finals on Saturday

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GD041221

[Messenger]

PeterProfit makes a good point that Globe Derby is going to struggle for numbers (eg last Saturday) when their reduced prizemoney makes going over the border (eg Mildura) a more attractive proposition

[Messenger]

This might help

[I]“HRSA making the Cups just for horses trained here is the reason we bought him,” Hryhorec said. “He’s a pretty nice horse which is capable of earning good money during the Cup carnival["/I]

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=51078

[Messenger]

A big positive

Last Friday a Race Day Agreement was signed by both parties that will see a commitment between HRSA and the premier club, SAHRC at Globe Derby, for the next five years, providing stability and confidence for the industry and stakeholders.

https://harnesslink.com/australia/sa-harness-racing-driving-towards-a-brighter-future/

[Messenger]

I think Archie (PP) might be hallucinating this morning but I will have to wait and see as he is doing his analysis of "In 50 years of harness racing I have never seen a more blatant fix" in parts and we are still awaiting the explanation.

He is referring to R1 at Globe Derby on Saturday night where the horse in the death jumps and dismantles the field, also checking the winner so I cannot wait for the explanation. Definitely not your standard fix LOL

He thinks half the drivers were in on it and the Chief Steward :confused: and likely the caller knew what was going on

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GD090722#GDC09072202

[Messenger]

SA needs to find someone who can write a balanced article

https://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=53674

Jawsoflincoln only won because Khafaji lost 40m by galloping

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=KI100822#KIC10082210

[Messenger]

We have the Australian Drivers Championship at Globe Derby tonight with all 12 drivers having 8 drives spread over 11 races (bar Narissa McMullen - 7)

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GD170922

I am surprised Andy Gath doesn't have any runners as he would seem to have made the trip with Kate as he doesn't have any in at Melton

[Messenger]

James Herbertson Wins 2022 ADC

https://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=54085

[Messenger]

It is Saturday night - metro meeting night at Globe Derby
8 races
4 for $4,500
1 for $5,000

Can anything be done to save South Australia?

[Messenger]

This is a snip of a story titled 'Trots Land Sale Is Death Knell' by Colin James of The Advertiser

This meeting is happening today

[Showgrounds]

Development of land fronting Port Wakefield Road is only half of the story. Development of businesses that will give the SAHRC an additional income stream doesn't rate a mention.

If the members don't vote for it, goodbye Globe Derby Park and South Australian harness racing.

[thepacingman]

South Australia Harness Racing Club members upset at plans to sell land to clear $3.5m in debts

The plans to sell the land in Adelaide’s north to clear millions of dollars of debt have been met with despair from upset members.

Colin James

January 29, 2023

Harness racing enthusiasts are in uproar over plans to sell large parts of the state’s main trots facility for development.

The SA Harness Racing Club (SAHRC) will hold a special meeting at Globe Derby Park on Sunday to vote on a proposal to subdivide 12.5ha of land beside Port Wakefield Rd to clear debts totalling $3.5m.

The money is owed to a Queensland developer, Kevin Seymour, who lent the club $3.5m in 2020 to save it from the threat of voluntary administration following years of poor financial management.

The club’s committee wants approval to enter into a formal deal with Mr Seymour’s company, Seymour Group, to develop 22 land parcels for light industrial and commercial use.

In a letter circulated within the harness industry, former SAHRC committee member Tony Copeland said too many unanswered questions remained about the deal to enable its approval.

Mr Copeland said they included the cost of preparing the land for subdivision, whether a training track would be replaced and how the club could continue repaying Mr Seymour’s $3.5m loan when its president, Anne Mowday, recently told members it was annually losing $500,000.

“The economics are at best questionable and one has to ask who will benefit,” he said.

“Further concern arises when the rumour mill begins spreading the word, supposedly leaked … that if members do not agree with this proposal the entire complex will be gone in three years.

“Put bluntly it would seem to spell out the death knell for harness racing at Globe Derby Park.”

Mr Copeland attached a petition by 31 SAHRC members last October calling for a special meeting to pass a vote of no confidence in the committee.

“This request has been totally ignored,” he said.

“The committee have not even acknowledged receipt. There may well be grounds for rejecting the request but there is no excuse for ignoring it.”

Mr Copeland said the feeling among many SAHRC members “was we are wasting our time pursuing issues and we cannot afford legal action”.

“Before agreeing to the current proposal, members should demand that in-depth consultation should take place with the view of seeking assistance by way of government grants or a low interest loan,” he said.

Ms Mowday did not respond to a request for comment.

[thepacingman]

Trotting club agrees to land sale at Globe Derby

South Australia's cash-strapped trotting club will sell a chunk of its prime land to a Queensland developer to clear its debts after members yesterday approved the plan.

January 29, 2023 - 6:55PM

South Australia's cash-strapped trotting club will sell a chunk of its prime land to a Queensland developer to clear its debts after members yesterday approved the plan.

SA Harness Club members met Sunday and backed a proposal to sell 12.5ha alongside Port Wakefield Rd to developer Kevin Seymour for commercial and light industrial development.

The resolution required at least two-third support from members and it is believed around 72 per cent eventually voted in favour of a deal that the club had said was vital to secure its financial future.

Harness Club president Ann Mowday confirmed the result.

“The majority of members with the committee look forward to working with the Seymour Group to update facilities and build a future for the club and the industry,’’ Mrs Mowday said.

A presentation prepared for the meeting by Seymour Group shows 22 sites ranging from 3170sq m to 5082sq m would be sold between Globe Derby Rd and Daniel Ave.The area includes a training track and other facilities.

The sale will clear a $3.5m debt owed to Mr Seymour, who lent the club the money in 2020 to save it from the threat of voluntary administration following years of poor financial management.

The land was put up as security when Mr Seymour provided the loan when it emerged it had made only one profit in 14 years and owed $3.1m.

In a notice to members, Mrs Mowday said the club since had lost $500,000 a year while still owing $3.5m to the,Seymour Group.

Ms Mowday said the committee believed the proposed deal with the Seymour Group would “pay off existing debts and secure an income stream to support the club into the future”.

“Over time the club has experienced a total loss of its once significant on-course tote income that sustained the club’s finances,” she said.

[Messenger]

Ms Mowday said the committee believed the proposed deal with the Seymour Group would “pay off existing debts and secure an income stream to support the club into the future”.

I am sure I read somewhere how the income stream would work but cannot find it - an important detail

So much news behind paywalls nowadays - it is expensive to stay informed. Hopefully something will come up on HRSA site

[Messenger]

It was their big night last night and unfortunately Vics came and plundered the big races

In the Golden Nursery however, the 2yos have to have been foaled in SA
The GN was interesting for the sires.
Ultimate Machete sired the winner and his numbers are looking good in his first year - it would be unbelievable if UM proved to be Bettors successor
Major Secret (Art Major) sired 2nd & 3rd

The Cup was one of the most boring races you will ever see (the draws did not help)

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GD281023#GDC28102303