Corruption can occur from within

Eye-opening story of the depth of corruption in NSW harness racing from Brent Zerafa. There have been rotten eggs in NSW harness racing for years, and for a sport which isn't as well funded as their thoroughbred counterparts, it was often ignored, put down to coincidence or consigned to the 'too hard' basket. Harness racing, or trotting as it is often known, is often called the 'red hots', signifying regular short-priced favourites and that all is not necessarily above board. Add to that the level of dodgy characters involved, particularly using the sport as a legitimate way to launder money, and you soon see why the image of the sport suffers.

When punters whose golden goose is being killed off start firebombing stewards' cars, you know they've found something serious.

Probe into alleged trots misconduct

AN ANONYMOUS phone call to Harness Racing NSW was all it took to set in place a chain of events that threatened to expose a rampant underbelly.

Nestled right in the heart of its integrity system, the anonymous caller claimed, was an expanding cancer. A growth, it was alleged, that was feasting on its very core.

The caller had information that a young steward, nominated by name, was involved in an elaborate scam. He or she didn't say how or why, just that something wasn't right.


Amazing story, about time this cancer on the sport was completely removed rather than given lip service.