Rob De Kock disappointed with the French.

De Kock not cowed by French resistance

SOUTH AFRICAN administrator Rob de Kock, who is chairing an international working group attempting to harmonise raceday procedures, has pledged to continue the fight for common ground on rules covering interference, despite opposition from France.

"If France wants to go its own way, so be it," De Kock said, "but with few exceptions, the rest of the racing world will not be following them."

De Kock was responding to a statement issued by France-Galop president Edouard de Rothschild on Thursday.

Rothschild dismissed a possibility that the French rules, which tend to favour amendment to placings for horses that have suffered interference, might be changed in the short term.

Controversy over the demotion of Dar Re Mi after last September's Prix Vermeille prompted hopes that France may come into line with most other major racing nations, including Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and those in the Far East, which give more credence to winners on merit.

However, after a lengthy consultation, Rothschild produced a ruling that surprised even professionals in France - including former France-Galop director-general Louis Romanet.

Romanet now finds himself in the awkward position of accepting the French decision while also having to support De Kock's working group in his role as chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

Speaking in Sydney, where he is attending this week's Asian Racing Conference, De Kock said: "France has defended its approach to interference on the grounds that it fits the country's attitude to betting, which is based largely on exotic bets such as the Quinte Plus.

"But that's not the way forward if countries want to expand their own racing andbetting into global markets.

"The more countries that can harmonise their rules, especially on interference, the better chance they have of marketing their racing overseas."

De Kock expects to discuss latest developments with various administrators, including BHA chief executive Nic Coward, in Sydney.

He added: "I'm very disappointed by the French decision, but we won't give up."

The French are stubborn bastards...

8-)And I thought we Italians were mulish...France is piling up the regrettable decisions at the moment.

I feel like some French toast?

good morning

eggy bread in my house

Bacon on top in ours (tu)

Rob De Kock has spent the last few days chairing the commitee that was mentioned above,but as i stated above the french a stuborn bastards and them alone could not come to the table..ViVa la France <

Bloody French

@Scotia:

1.
Why has Vee Moodley (who was apparently being froomed as CEO of NHA) jumped ship?

2.
What happened to the black gentleman (I forget his name), who was an under-study to RdK (he 'disappeared' without any fanfare or mention!)?

3.
Why is RdK wearing 2 hats (like Selebi)- CEO of NHA and chairman of International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (and the commentators who have been collecting double salaries for separate jobs!)?

4.
Is there succession planning at the NHRA (sic, transformation)?

Morning Umlilo to be fair cant help with your questions but have a lot of time and respect for Vee.

@Scotia:

Good am to you 2!

Just throwing up some 'stupid' questions after the poor racing results- no reflection on Vee (maybe, in his favour)!


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