Police raid 10 harness racing stables in Canterbury, Manawatu and Invercargill
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STUFF
Police have raided harness racing stables across the country amid allegations of race fixing and corruption.
A wealthy Christchurch punter whose home was raided in a high-level police investigation into corruption in harness racing says police will come up empty-handed.
Harness racing identities have been interviewed by police following morning raids on 10 stables throughout the country, following a long-running inquiry into alleged race-fixing, corruption and drugs in the sport.
Police executed search warrants on stables in Canterbury, Invercargill and Manawatū. Figures interviewed included Natalie Rasmussen, John Dunn, Blair Orange, Nigel McGrath and Andrew Stuart.
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The home of Christchurch car industry king pin, racehorse owner and major punter Graham Beirne was raided by police but Beirne says the allegations are "nonsense".
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Orange is currently the country's top harness racing driver.
Detective Superintendent Tim Anderson said police were talking to "a lot" of people in relation to the investigation, which began in April last year.
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John Dunn has been interviewed by police in relation to the investigation.
READ MORE: Police, racing integrity unit investigate race fixing allegations
No-one had been arrested but a "number of people" were expected to be arrested on Tuesday afternoon and later in the week, he said.
He would not comment on the allegations surrounding drug use but said it "was possible" drug charges could be laid.
Police have talked to trainer-driver Nigel McGrath.
It was not yet known how much money could have been tied up in fixed matches, Anderson said.
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Christchurch car industry king pin, racehorse owner and major punter Graham Beirne, speaking to Stuff from Bali where he is on holiday, said he had heard about the raids on Canterbury trainers and knew police wanted to interview him.
"I'm a suspect put it that way. The police have been to our place this morning but I'm not there. All I have to say is one word: nonsense.
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Police say ‘imprisonment is one option’ for those caught up in alleged race-fixing in harness racing industry
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1 NEWS understands the investigation involves some of the country's biggest names in harness racing.
"I don't know where it's coming from. If they are talking race fixing, it's nonsense. It doesn't happen, so we'll see what they come up with but they are obviously taking it seriously because they have raided stables all over the place."
Four police cars and 12 police officers had come to his Fendalton house to execute a search warrant on Tuesday morning and apparently seized computers and devices, he said.
"There is nothing to worry about.
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Police have also talked to Blair Orange.
"I am a big bettor. They would pick on me probably because three or four years ago there was an article in the Sunday Star Times which said I was the most successful punter in New Zealand and they couldn't beat me, and that was true at the time.
"But I haven't made any money in the last two years. The TAB records will show that."
Race fixing may have occurred in the distant past but checks and balances in the current system made it too difficult, he said.
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Police were at Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen's All Stars Harness Racing property at Rolleston, Canterbury, on Tuesday. Purdon says police did not question him.
The other issue in the industry was doping but he didn't know anything about that.
Beirne said he would not return immediately to New Zealand and planned to come back as scheduled on Saturday.
"By all accounts they are going to meet me at the airport."
JOSEPH JOHNSON/STUFF
Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen at Addington Cup Week in Christchurch in 2016.
He said he was "flippant" about the investigation but "I feel sorry for the trainers involved. I feel bad for the guys and the people they are interviewing. It's their livelihood. It's terrible for them".
"It tarnishes all their reputations even if nothing is found which there won't be."
He didn't know if any other big punters were part of the investigation. "I'm a reclusive creature so I don't know who else.
RICKY WILSON/STUFF
Police have raided harness racing stables around New Zealand.
"It's a game for me although you always need the money. I like beating the system. It's only pacers and trotters."
He had about 30 horses that were trained by a number of trainers, he said.
"I don't need to race fix. I've got the pension now."
Harness racing in New Zealand is a multi-million dollar industry despite being the second biggest racing code behind thoroughbred racing. Its spiritual home is in Canterbury, where the bulk of the country's trainers are based.
Champion trainer Mark Purdon said police arrived with a warrant to search his home and business, All Star Stables, on Tuesday morning.
Police were not interested in him but his businesss partner, Natalie Rasmussen, was still being questioned by police at 4pm, he said.
"I wouldn't have thought she would have anything to worry about," Purdon said.
"I certainly know as far as race fixing goes and drugs, they will draw a blank with us ... We pretty well keep to ourselves."
He was surprised by the allegations against other trainers but said "the big guys" were often the first suspects.
"They always pick on the people that are having the success."
During the police raids, addresses were cordoned off and some occupants were seen leaving with police. Computers and devices were seized.
Anderson said the investigation was prompted by information from the Racing Integrity Unit.
"Police have been working in partnership with the RIU and other relevant organisations throughout the investigation."
He said police expected to provide further details in the coming days.
New Zealand Racing Board head of communications Kate Richards said TAB betting had not been suspended.
The Board was actively monitoring the situation and would review the situation depending on the outcome of Tuesday's events, she said.
Harness racing participants race for more than $28 million in prize money annually. More than 250 drivers participate in about 265 race meetings around the country each year. Just over 30 per cent of those meetings are held in the Canterbury region.
WINSTON PETERS 'DISAPPOINTED'
Racing Minister Winston Peters expressed his "deep disappointment at allegations of race-fixing in the New Zealand harness racing industry".
"This is a sad development. New Zealanders need to have confidence that the racing industry has integrity and is not above the law," Peters said.
In a written statement, New Zealand Racing Board chair Glenda Hughes said the investigation "while disappointing, shows the racing integrity system is working".
The board's chief executive, John Allen, said he was confident alleged breaches would be "investigated and prosecuted appropriately".
"Those involved in the industry and the Kiwi punters who support it must have confidence in the integrity of the sport."
Harness Racing New Zealand Chief Executive Edward Rennell confirmed he was aware a police operation was under way but had no further details.
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