McDonald inquiry to explore relationships
OPINION: The small racing world and the relationships within it will be explored during the inquiry into James McDonald’s alleged interest in a bet on Astern.
For hardened racing folk, it is no surprise that a jockey might have had an interest in a bet, but the days of brown paper bags of cash are long gone.
The nod-and-a-wink relationship between punters and riders can now be catalogued via mobile phone data and bank transfers.
The stewards can use technology to find out who is talking to whom, when, and for how long.
They can see when money enters bank accounts and when it leaves.
Punters and jockey are part of a small community and never has it been more important to pick your friends well.
McDonald is voluntarily sitting on the sidelines at the moment, charged with being party to an interest in a bet.
He is learning the hardest of lessons.
While he has done what many would consider to be the honourable thing in the matter, standing down from riding, the punter of interest has refused to co-operate with the investigation, which doesn’t help the jockey, who allegedly had an interest in a bet on Astern on December 5 last year.
Fairfax Media understands another jockey was also questioned about his friendship with the punter but was not charged.
It is likely more jockeys will be asked about associations with the punter as well as other friends of McDonald.
It is natural for punters to try to get an edge.
Getting to know a jockey or two, or having someone inside a stable, has always been part of the game.
These associations may well be social in nature, and they may well be innocent, but they can also cause difficulties.
Jockeys need to be smart about who they choose to associate with.
They know the rules and they know the consequences if they are caught breaking them.