Team Driving and Driving Dead

[Greg Hando]

What are people's thought's on it and how much if any do you think is going on and what can Steward's do about it by way of trying to PROVE it happened ?

[Triple V]

Add to the staff line-up (1) FULL-TIME former Punter as their Form Analyst & Advisor.
There's nobody on this Earth that sees one getting stuffed up the pylons and buried or being sent forward to the breeze with its clacker hanging out or put on the pointy end through solid early fractions when it needs to trip out in order to do its best or otherwise just being dragged off the gait in order to follow them around..quite so clearly as does a Punter, even a former one.

[Lenem]

Add to the staff line-up (1) FULL-TIME former Punter as their Form Analyst & Advisor.
There's nobody on this Earth that sees one getting stuffed up the pylons and buried or being sent forward to the breeze with its clacker hanging out or put on the pointy end through solid early fractions when it needs to trip out in order to do its best or otherwise just being dragged off the gait in order to follow them around..quite so clearly as does a Punter, even a former one.
You would have to be kidding!! 90% of punters I've ever met are totally convinced that almost every loser they've ever backed wasn't trying.If you don't believe me spend an afternoon in your local Tab.

[aussiebreno]

You would have to be kidding!! 90% of punters I've ever met are totally convinced that almost every loser they've ever backed wasn't trying.If you don't believe me spend an afternoon in your local Tab.
I don't think VVV is talking about a former mug punter, rather a former pro punter. Eg Bill Hutchinson.

[Triple V]

Indeed I am Breno, indeed I am.
From around the middle of last year onwards a number of inquiries were re-opened here in NSW because a number of people saw things in races that the Stewards at the time had, for reasons only known to themselves, let slide with little or no comment.
For example, all one need do is utter the name of Chandon's gelded son & now Tasmanian resident Beef City Beau & to then hark back to a race at Menangle in early June (?) or thereabouts of 2011 where Ben Sarina was aboard said horse and duly turned in an inexplicable performance in the bike in order to underline the long neglected need for an ex Punter to offer a diffferent perspective on things.

[Lenem]

Mug or Pro,doesn't matter.We all perceive reality through the filter of our pocket! This is the reason that we have inpartial judges in ALL judicial systems.And by the way,whilst I respect his judgement,HBill Hutchinson is anything but an EX punter.

[aussiebreno]

Mug or Pro,doesn't matter.We all perceive reality through the filter of our pocket! This is the reason that we have inpartial judges in ALL judicial systems. Retired punter. Such a role would have a clause in the contract not allowed to bet on Harness racing etc. And by the way,whilst I respect his judgement,HBill Hutchinson is anything but an EX punter.Hutchy was just an example as to the type of person who could be used. Not saying it is a neccesity he fill the role or anything like that.

[Tangles]

Their is never much proof team driving occurs only suspicions and innuendo. I mean other than recording people setting up races how do you prove it? The cases will always be prima facia.



Pity the poor punter.

[HISGEN65]

I agree Tangles...its difficult to determine what is cheating let alone convicting anyone.

[aussiebreno]

Yes one mans team driving or driving dead is another mans just an average drive. Nigh on impossible to police. However it does open the doors for other things. One of those things include perception.

[broncobrad]

You would have to be kidding!! 90% of punters I've ever met are totally convinced that almost every loser they've ever backed wasn't trying.If you don't believe me spend an afternoon in your local Tab.

Perception, perception, perception. Poor old harness racing has had that albatross around its neck for decades. It wasn't known as the 'Red Hots' because of the horses internal temperature. There will always be that hangover of years gone by when rigging and rorting was rampant...but all three codes have endured massive cases of proven criminality activity, but racing still exists. There really should be disclaimers printed on all form guides stating that punting should occur at own risk because there maybe activities occurring contrary to the rules of racing that may be conceived as contravening fair play. NO REFUNDS APPLY, BETTING IS STUPID BEHAVIOUR. In my own mind I am confident that HRNSW have been and are presently doing the best they can to protect punters and sports participants from those who do not act in the best interests of the sport. Regular posters know I am more than happy to point out driving efforts that would appear to leave a lot to be desired. For the last almost twelve months HRNSW have undergone a transformation, a steep learning curve. They have really taken a good hard look at its business and made tough decisions. The substances being found in swabs and subsequent action being taken is heartening, although I think the penaltys in some cases are paltry. But it is a good start.

Inspire confidence in the sport and it can only grow. Team driving has been hotly debated on the forum in the past and like most, I agree would be hard to prove. The trainer still has to do the right thing by the owners if he wants to keep the horses. Admittedly, what may look bad may well be team driving or it may just be circumstances of a race panning out badly for a stablemate whilst the other stablemate gets all the breaks. Maybe this topic could be looked at in the future after HRNSW has put all this other crap to bed.

[aussiebreno]

http://www.racingjobs.com.au/formandbettinganalyst-harnessracingnsw-bankstown-nsw-4649

Edit: Form analyst to report to stewards. Not sure if this a new job or finding a new person for an existing job. But nevertheless hope the successful applicant is good at what they do!

[Triple V]

My Crystal Ball's working well Breno.
http://blog.straightnorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/scrambled-toast-crystal-ball.jpg

Btw. How much does this bloke look like a younger version of former NSW Chief Steward, Michael Beattie? :rolleyes: