Harness racing probe ongoing

A joint police and racing industry inquiry into alleged race fixing in New Zealand harness racing was the main talking point at one of the prime events of the harness calendar.

Breeders, trainers and buyers gathered in Christchurch on Tuesday for the PGG Wrightson standardbred sale.

One prominent industry player, who asked not to be named, said everyone at the sale was talking about the race fixing inquiry which involves police in Wellington and Christchurch.

He said many names had been bandied about as possible culprits and there was no doubt the industry contained some ‘‘rascals’’.

‘‘This is a very jealous industry you’re dealing with. Everybody thinks everybody else is cheating.’’

Harness Racing Drivers and Trainers Association head Rob Lawson said he had heard nothing from the police or the industry’s Racing Integrity Unit (RIU).

He had contacted Harness Racing NZ and it had no further information either.

‘‘That is as far as I personally would normally go. We let the RIU do their work, but there is a lot of rumour and innuendo and there is no substance to it at this stage.

‘‘The industry is disgusted it has been tainted with this brush when at this stage there is still no substance to it,’’ he said.

The unnamed industry source said race fixing would have to be done cunningly because ‘‘stipes’’ (stipendary stewards) at each meeting were informed about any suspicious betting, such as large amounts being laid on horses with no form.

Many regular punters had accounts with Australian bookmakers and could bet as much in Australia on New Zealand races as they gambled in New Zealand, he said.

Betting pools in New Zealand were small, so large bets could shorten odds dramatically which didn’t happen on the bigger Australian scene.