Insider trading continues unabated

Insider Trading continues to erode public confidence



Further examples of insider trading in South African Racing were broadcast on Tellytrack during the past week-end.



1. Race 2, Fairview, Friday 24th October 2014

Returning from a 268 day lay-off, the horse Boardwalk Classic won in clear-cut fashion. In his winning interview, jockey Grant van Niekerk made the following statement: “…Yvette told me that they injected him with some stuff this morning,… it certainly worked.”



Do the NHRA permit the injection of ‘stuff’ on the morning of the race to aid the horse? And if this was not an illegal act, surely there is a duty upon the sport to divulge this information to the customer at the opening of the betting?



2. Race 2, Turffontein, Saturday 25th October 2014

The unraced horse Light The Way won under a great ride by Gunter Wroggeman. The information given to the public on Tellytrack prior to the race was: “…will run green.” The horse attracted no market support and after winning his trainer said: “…I am pleasantly surprised.”



We are asking the public to bet on a race in which there is an unraced horse. There is absolutely no trial form available on which the punter can base his calculations and the opinion from the trainer would have ensured that they did not expect the horse to win.



A similar case of ‘pleasantly surprised’ was experienced by punters when the unraced horse GENIAL romped home by 3.25 lengths over 1200m at Greyville on 15th October 2014. Before the race, his trainer stated that the horse was not, in his opinion, a ‘live runner’. The horse drifted from 14/1 to 25/1.



Yet another example of how our customers are left groping in the dark for price-sensitive information. If we expect them to ‘watch the betting’ on unraced horses, is it surprising they have all headed to the Casino’s and migrated to betting on other sports?



3. Race 5, Kenilworth, Saturday 25th October 2014

The top class gelding Jet Explorer, who ran an outstanding 3rd in the 2013 Queen’s Plate, was returning from a 140-day layoff. In the Racegoer, Cape Times, Thursday 23 October 2014, Mr David Thiselton stated the following: “…Jonathan also confirmed that Jet Explorer, returning from serious injury, in the 1400m event, WOULD JUST BE HAVING A GALLOP.”



Does the NHRA approve of trainers using betting races for gallops? Furthermore, it is clear the horse was given a very sympathetic ride. As it turned out, the horse filled 4th place for the Quartet and it should be noted that 2nd, 3rd and 4th place are as important to exotic bet punters as 1st place.





For how much longer does the NHRA intend to condone insider trading and misinformation? Both of these have a devastating effect on public confidence and trust, and therefore betting turnover – the very lifeblood of the Sport, and the income of the NHRA.



Yours sincerely,



Charles Faull

horses can't be fit and at peak for every race they run, and most are being pointed towards some feature and have the leading up races running at below peak. So, the gallop story within reason, I can understand. Most punters can work this out for themselves surely?

Don wrote: horses can't be fit and at peak for every race they run, and most are being pointed towards some feature and have the leading up races running at below peak. So, the gallop story within reason, I can understand. Most punters can work this out for themselves surely?

with your above said...true. and not true. The initial message is talking about clarity from trainers and being transparent. Now kindly advise which part the punter needs to stand on his ear and assume.

Don wrote: horses can't be fit and at peak for every race they run, and most are being pointed towards some feature and have the leading up races running at below peak. So, the gallop story within reason, I can understand. Most punters can work this out for themselves surely?

We punters can guess or assume BUT NHRA rules are perhaps CLEARER(or not as it seems in their application):

RUNNING
62. RUNNING
62.1 Every HORSE shall be run and shall be allowed to run to the best of its ability and on
its merits. (Running an unfit horse over an incorrect distance is in direct contrast to this rule) Simple to fix - a horse coming back to racing after a rest MUST be entered in a distance close to its last placed effort(or best performance using the MR Scale)

62.8 A TRAINER shall ensure that adequate riding instructions are given to the RIDER of
any HORSE in his care. No OWNER or TRAINER shall give any instruction to the
RIDER of any HORSE which could or would prevent the HORSE from winning a
RACE or of obtaining the best possible placing. (how can you possibly give a winning riding instruction if the horse is not fit or is running over an incorrect distance?)
62.3.1 The TRAINER of a HORSE shall ensure that such HORSE does not run in an
inconsistent manner (also referred to as "reversal of form" or "in and out running").
Where inconsistent running has or may have occurred, an investigation into such
matter may be held in terms of the RULES. ( How many times do we see a horse running over sprint as a comeback run and this horse ihas its best form over a mile or more)

These are the NHRA rules not those of the punters and it is the job of the NHRA to enforce these rules so that Racing retains its "game of skill" status and does not enter the realm of the crystal ball and bones

They seem to be chicken hearted and inconsistent with their rules

Bob Brogan wrote: They seem to be chicken hearted and inconsistent with their rules

I see the Stipes report for the 24th Fairview is not out yet Greyville on the same day is out? Surely 5 days later and the report should be out or are they watching the Teletrack interview to determine what to do about Boardwalk?

26th not either.

Guys, the NHRA cant even "police" the obvious violations properly, how the f... are they going to "police " the subjective violations ? Toothless, useless bunch, they should be had up for bring our sport into disrepute.

Don wrote: horses can't be fit and at peak for every race they run, and most are being pointed towards some feature and have the leading up races running at below peak. So, the gallop story within reason, I can understand. Most punters can work this out for themselves surely?

Look at Master Sabina and Smanjemanje last night - Both were sent out over a correct trip (I know that trainers often have problems finding races for their horses but that is the programmer's fault and it should nave no bearing on the obvious breaches of NHRA rules)

Just seen this thread ,and Mr H your post is exactly the way it is ...............more evidence that the NHA fails to enforce it's own rules and is treated with contempt by the parties it regulates!

American racing might be yawns vile , but I have been following the track work reports for this weeks breeders cup on Twitter

And the info available is different class

Guys, trainers don't really know. If they did they would be driving Ferrari's and sipping umbrella cocktails with trophy girlfriends. What trainers do know is that the condition of their horses' bones, muscles and teeth appear to be good. They can tell you if their horses are eating well and seem happy.

MdK said Alboran Sea would much prefer 1200m. That 1000m performance was the best I have seen for a long time.