Originally Posted by
Messenger
We have to create an image that cannot be doubted if we are going to pull ourselves out of the hole we are in - last of the 3 codes
Integrity not only has to be upheld it has to be seen to be upheld
We almost need to see Stewards making stable inspections
We have to know that there is stable storage of blood tests and retesting done whenever there are advances in testing
We cannot have PP claiming "It's just an extravaganza of cheating and celebration of weird science" or anybody else
He is making these claims with no proof - just basing it on the unlikely probability that one trainer cannot dominate like the Stewart stable has in the Inter
The fact is that with dominating the juvenile ranks for the last decade you would have expected them to do it at the Grand Circuit level before now
They are still yet to win an Inter so the accusations based purely on superior record seem unfair
The McCarthy dominated the 2021 Inter in exactly the same way with 7 heat wins but didn't actually get the first prize
If Clayton Tonkin had not been suspended over the Blue Magic saga, IMO there would hardly be anyone doubting the stable
Is there a time to move on and trust the authorities?
I think this is part of the problem I opened with. Over recent years we have seen at least a couple of 'headline charges' contested and contested and years later dropped
We need clear cut proof of innocence or guilt to improve our image
If anything was to create doubts about the existence of clean racing it would probably be the horse that knocked off the McCarthys last year
He has done nothing since
But once again there is no proof
Maybe if he had remained with Grimson he would have eventually found form again - maybe Grimson is a superior trainer to the Duffys and Stanley for this particular horse
Maybe he was just a meteor, a one season wonder.
Over the years there are AFL players that have incredible single seasons and even win the Brownlow medal but never come close to repeating the stellar season. We don't question how they did it
I want Harness Racing to be respected