Trainer of Jewels invitee facing charges

HARNESS Racing New Zealand’s first Australian invitation for the Harness Jewels has gone to a horse in the stable of a trainer facing court charges for alleged race fixing.

Custodian, a 4yrold trotter trained in Victoria by Nathan Jack, was yesterday the first Australian horse to be invited to race in the Queen’s Birthday weekend harness racing championships at Cambridge.

Whether Jack will be free to train and drive the horse by racestart time is unknown.

In November, the Shepparton News reported he is facing court charges for alleged racefixing that have penalties that include jail time of up to 10 years.

Jack, a champion Victorian driver, and Mark Pitt and Lisa Bartley are awaiting the judge’s decision after a threeweek hearing at the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court.

Among other charges, the trio were charged with conduct that corrupts a betting outcome.

HRNZ racing & marketing manager Darrin Williams said his organisation was not in a position to deny an invitation to a horse trained by Jack.

‘‘At the end of the day, he is licensed at the moment, so he is no different to anyone else.’’

Invitations were issued to Australian horses HRNZ felt were likely to be able to make the trip to the Harness Jewels.

Who trained the horse did not have a large impact on their invitation selections, Williams said.

‘‘It is more so than the trainer, it is for the horse. We target the better horses if we can.’’

Jack and his coaccuseds’ racefixing charges came after an investigation was held into tactics adopted during a race at Cobram on June 22, 2015.

Pitt drove the winner, Airbourne-magic, and it was alleged Jack drove his horse, Tooram Lad, in a manner which allowed Airbournemagic to win the race.

Betting company representatives told the court Airbournemagic was opened in betting markets at a $35 win dividend, but that price tumbled to just $4.80 by race time, the Shepparton News reported.

Video footage of the race shows Jack taking long and continual looks over his shoulder while controlling the race tempo in the lead.

Jack, Pitt and Bartley have plead not guilty to the charges.

Jack’s partner, Amanda Turnbull, was initially charged after the investigation, but her charges were dropped during the hearing.

When the hearing was adjourned in December, the court indicated that no decision would be made before this month.

Yesterday’s first Australian invitation for the Harness Jewels will be followed by more invitations in the coming weeks.

This year the quality of horses HRNZ could secure for the Harness Jewels was much stronger than in other years, Williams said.

Australian invitees are offered a starting place in their Jewels category, but are not offered any payment for their travelling expenses.

❛ At the end of the day he is licensed at the moment, so he is no different to anyone else