Keep it in the Dark - Justice? Article on the Informant.

[Boxie]

HRNZ frustrated by lack of communication

• Mon, 17 Sep 2018
•  
• Garrick Knight

Ken Spicer (right), Chairman of Harness Racing New Zealand. Photo: Race Images.

Harness Racing New Zealand have become frustrated with a lack of communication from Police and Racing Integrity Unit in the midst of Operation Inca and its fallout over the past fortnight.

HRNZ Chairman Ken Spicer made it clear to The Informant today that the board he chairs, and its key full-time staff in Christchurch feel like they are being left out in the cold.

“We had no knowledge that an investigation was going on,” he said.

He confirmed HRNZ hierarchy made overtures to their RIU counterparts last year, when rumours of a race-fixing investigation were swirling.

“We even had their head, Mike Godber, in front of the Board, but he wouldn’t tell us anything.

“That was consistent with their ongoing policy not to comment on operational matters.”

Spicer says he and Chief Executive Edward Rennell were given a cursory, non-descript ‘heads up’ by Police the night before the raids started on September 4, but with no details whatsoever about what they concerned or who was involved.

“It was basically just to let us know to be prepared for some publicity the next day.”

Since then HRNZ ‘higher-ups’ have been starved of any communication, and it is starting to wear thin on them.

“HRNZ has sought more information and a briefing, but at this stage has had no communication from the Police and very limited communication from the RIU,” said Spicer.

He said it was unacceptable in the current climate, where harness racing is on the national media stage and HRNZ is being called upon for comment and direction both from its stakeholders and media.

“The Industry’s image has been severely damaged by this, but we just have to follow due process and see where all this goes.”

Numerous industry licence holders and participants were arrested and charged by Police after an 18-month investigation in to alleged race-fixing in the harness racing industry.

Currently all those charged by Police have also been charged with serious racing offences by the RIU and have been excluded from race, trial and workout meetings across the country.

The Informant understands all, or a majority of those excluded, are seeking to appeal their exclusion this week.

The RIU was asked for comment on the expected timelines of the exclusions but did not reply.

 More News

•  

[Kopia]

What did they expect? The coppers obviously were independant of the RIU and HRNZ...they had to keep schtum! They had interception warrants from a High Court Judge, for chrissakes. Its become bloody obvious that the raceday stewards in the south island were bloody useless. If there was even a suggestion that the countries top harness drivers were rigging races why didn't they catch them before having to get the cops involved? Don't blame thew cops for not telling anyone. The slackarses at fault here are HRNZ and the RIU..! And the so called Integrity specialists which cost the industry millions...where were they?

[Boxie]

How can you blame HRNZ?  They're not the racecourse policemen - the RIU is!!!

[LongOwner]

20 minutes ago, Kopia said:

What did they expect? The coppers obviously were independant of the RIU and HRNZ...they had to keep schtum! They had interception warrants from a High Court Judge, for chrissakes. Its become bloody obvious that the raceday stewards in the south island were bloody useless. If there was even a suggestion that the countries top harness drivers were rigging races why didn't they catch them before having to get the cops involved? Don't blame thew cops for not telling anyone. The slackarses at fault here are HRNZ and the RIU..! And the so called Integrity specialists which cost the industry millions...where were they?

I agree RIU incompetent and this should of been nipped in the bud .

HRNZ should be briefed post event as they are the organisation that runs the sport and pays the stakes.

Edited September 17, 2018 by LongOwner

[hunterthepunter]

New Zealand harness racing leaders fall asleep at the switch! 

There have been times, not many, in the 50 years or so that I’ve been associated with harness racing that I’ve had to admit to being ashamed of the sport I love, and the actions of figures central to it.

This is one of those few times - but the shame is not because of the Operation Inca allegations!

Rather it is because of the sterile and cowardly way our industry leaders are invisibly handling the controversy.

Our leaders represent all harness racing participants; those now accused no less than the rest of us!

Until complete facts come out, defences are heard, and decisions rendered, it is their job and moral responsibility to address the situation with delicacy but with reason, fairness, an open mind, and decency.

While they must await judgement until all the facts are in, they should not stay silent and through their inaction facilitate both the general misrepresentation of the scandal’s scope and relevancy being blithely projected by police investigators and journalists, and allow individual reputations to be ruined by mere assertions.

Arguably, a temporary stand down of the accused pending more information may be wise, but it should be clearly explained as a necessary self-protective gesture for an industry reliant on its image of integrity. It should be clearly said to be completely unrelated to any belief in individual innocence or guilt.

There has been no leadership voice protecting either the accused or the industry, itself, by slowing down public preconceptions, by reminding everyone of the foundation policy of innocence until guilt is proven, of clarifying the fact that police assertions to date do NOT present a picture of a scandal ridden, conspiratorial industry rife with corruption.

The day of the hearing (11th of September) was interesting in that the Judge Raoul Neave was highly critical of the police for briefing the media before the hearing and he was also disapproving of the media for publishing the names of several individuals before the hearing took place. The counsel for some of the accused persons attacked the media for naming people early saying their clients have been effectively denied a right to fair trial.

The next few sessions in court will possibly start to unlock the vault to see if we are really dealing with concrete evidence in some of these match fixing cases or just hearsay as has been rumoured by some.

"Perhaps I am wrong perhaps I am right but I will be particularly interested to hear the evidence put forward by the police in this matter because after 18 months of investigations the more I keep hearing the more I keep thinking the police may have a lot of conspiracy theories to go on and not much else."

The charges to date seem merely to throw a spotlight on what appears to be a sad proliferation of party drugs amongst some industry participants, including drivers who should be more aware of the increased potential for harm it creates in their workplace, and suggest that in a few minor races there might have been race fixing.

While horrible, and deflating to affected punters, occasional race-fixing has always been assumed in thoroughbred, Greyhounds and harness racing and more recently many other first-past-the-post sports.

Coordinated, endemic, large scale race fixing would, indeed, be a scandal that could bring down racing - but charges to date don’t come close to suggesting that exists! As Mark Purdon suggested in his article on his All-Stars site there is no reason to believe in an industry wide conspiracy to fix or drug race horses.

Our industry leaders have done nothing to keep this asserted, self-pronounced “scandal” in perspective, a job they should be performing on a daily basis in protection of our industry!

No one is asking publically what most of us are questioning privately - namely, why has this scandal been asserted by authorities now? Why a week or so after the “Messara” report, why after 15 to 18 months of investigation? This smells more like a conspiracy to harm harness racing by The Racing Minister and The Government!

After attending the “Messara” report release in Hamilton (Attended by over 1,000 people from the three Codes) and watching first-hand how our harness racing bosses sat quiet throughout the public meeting in Hamilton, without a whimper, and their lack of public response to it, you have to wonder how the Harness Racing Industry is to survive much longer!

It seems to me that harness racing administrators and leaders have no idea what to do next! One thing I do know is that they certainly know how to protect their jobs!

As a previous Racing Minister (Mr John Carter) once told me, the only way Harness Racing in New Zealand has a chance to survive is through its own actions period. The Industry needs to replace the out-dated Club structure of running the Industry, as this has a proven record of taking the entire Industry down the slippery slope towards extinction.

Now, what exactly triggered the start of this Operation Inca investigation?

According to Newshub “The investigation was sparked by the Racing Integrity Unit (RIU), which tipped off police with information of the alleged illegal activity“.

Well, let us look at this “Integrity Unit”.

It was formed on the 1^st of February 2011.

How was it formed?

What was it formed for?

Who formed it?

Who employed the people running it? 

Who checks them?

Does it have its own internal Integrity for self investigation?

Does any outside entity has supervisory authority with respecting RIU integrity?

Who investigates the Investigators?

Who runs the Integrity Unit?

What is their background?

Let us check each and every member’s credentials.

Let us look at their background.

Some of their decisions over the last few years have been very questionable.

Let us see if there are any indiscretions with each and every one that works there.

Does the management have any untoward vendettas against any of the Codes?

Does the management have any personal vendettas against any individual?

Is management competent enough to make its own decisions?

After all it is ‘The Racing Integrity Unit” isn’t it?

And regardless of how wonderful any of these members may be, including the head, shouldn’t they be required to stand down and be replaced on a staggered base to ensure both continuity and real maintenance as investigative integrity?

There should be an absolute term limit of no more than six years for all employees and maybe four years for the head.

What did racing’s investigative arm see 15 to 18 months ago that started all this?

Would claims of race-fixing at Nelson or Manawatu justify a 15 to 18 month effort? In my opinion probably not!

Presumably whatever it was did not end up being actionable at that time because all asserted race-fixing charges seem to point to specific incidents that are quite recent!

Shouldn’t the Racing Integrity Unit now disclose what worried it 15 to 18 months ago to the point of getting a police investigation started? After all, they are answerable to the three Codes!

Shouldn’t we be the slightest bit concerned that human, political, business pressures are pushing the police to find corruption, and to overpublicize and overstate the importance of their discoveries, to retrospectively justify and support their expenses, time, manpower and effort expended over 15 to 18 months of industry investigation?

A massive race fixing and drugging problem linked to harness racing sells papers and justifies expenses.

Arresting a few prominent individuals for drug possession, personal drug use, or selling of drugs for personal use would not!

Why have the police conveniently presented charges in such a way that misinterpretation is so easy?

Many just read headlines and probably assume that the charges relate to drug use on horses connected to race fixing. It is just incredible that industry leaders have not jumped to clarify this point! 

Are the bosses at Harness Racing New Zealand complicit with the Racing Integrity Unit?

When speaking to Harness Racing Chairman Ken Spicer today, he says "HRNZ were completely blindsided by last week’s police operation. “We had no knowledge that an investigation was going on”.

HRNZ has sought more information and a briefing, but at this stage had no communication from the Police and very limited communication from the RIU. “The Industry’s image has been severely damaged by this, but we just have to follow due process and see where all this goes”. HRNZ made enquiries to the RIU when there was a suggestion from media back in February 2017 that an investigation had started, but consistent with RIU policy they would not comment on operational matters. HRNZ is the responsible for setting the rules of Harness Racing, with the RIU charged with enforcing those rules."

In my opinion HRNZ needs to be vocal in protecting the due process of the defendants and the good name of harness racing. HRNZ needs to respect the princibles of due process, but those principles do not require that HRNZ be silient or unable to speak on the issue to safe guard individual rights and the Industry's image.

From its inception the general manager of the Racing Integrity Unit has been Mike Godber, who is an ex chief executive of harness racing Addington Raceway, ex chief executive of Harness Racing Queensland and was CEO of South Australian Harness Racing before taking the current job. How did he get this job? This should be investigated. What was his reason for leaving those previous harness racing jobs? In my view this man has a lot to answer for!

What is wrong with our Harness Racing Leaders? Again, how was this Racing Integrity Unit formed?

I can understand having a “Racing Integrity Unit” for Harness Racing but a combined one with the Greyhounds and Thoroughbreds is ridiculous. They are three separate Industries with NO relationship except Gambling.

Can you imagine now that Sports Betting is a component of the TAB’s Gambling in New Zealand that for Integrity issues in the Sport we should now combine “Netball with Cricket and Soccer” in one Integrity Unit or “The All Blacks with Cycling and Rugby League” in one Integrity Unit, That is how ridiculous this has become.

The “New Zealand Racing Board” has a lot to answer for too, but I will leave that for my next report.

I write this editorial not to defend the accused in Operation Inca, but to defend our industry from scurrilous attack when others who should do so, are not!

We must defend it with vigilance and fairness. And we must defend the accused from prejudice and premature characterizations until we force clear presentations of evidence!

We still have every reason to love our sport but we and industry leaders must prove it every day by fighting for our sport with vigour, integrity and courage.

John Curtin

Harnesslink Media

[the galah]

A lot to unpack in Mr curtins article. He makes some very good points,however appears to be using the current scandal to score points against old foes.

Mr curtin,Isn't it blatantly obvious why the police and riu have kept this matter under wraps.  Even blind freddy could work out that months of work uncovering possible corruption,and that is what it is,would have been completely undermined by informing partisan groups like hrnz,with the alleged perpetrators possibly being tipped off. 

That's exactly what happened in the blue magic scandal prior to the raids,so come on mr curtin, don"t see it from one side like you always do.

Curtin seems to point to some conspiracy linking this to the messara report. Yet the alleged race fixing inquiry started long before any messara report was even in its infancy.  Its just coincidence.

My overall take of mr curtins article is he  attempts to minimize the actions of the industry licenceholders who are responsible for this scandal.

Its a deliberate ploy.

Hes a knowledgable man with a lot to offer on some issues,but as far as integrity issues,well maybe one day he might just wake up and realise that it is those with attitudes like him,that have cultivated and minimized the behavior that has led to the latest scandal.

[the galah]

I just flicked on to harnesslink  and see a comment  from a person supporting mr curtins article who says he has been charged..

Part of the comment is"but someone has to stand up and make an attempt to stop this form of bullying (referring to the riu) in the industry by those on highly inflated salaries, that aren't answerable to anyone by the looks of things. Come on harness racing people get behind your peers and make a change"

Are some of those involved really that out of touch with reality that they think there is sympathy for their actions.  There may have been sympathy for their predicament and for the stress they and their families may be under,but this lack of any willingness to even contemplate addressing the reasons for why they are in this predicament, well it truly is stunning.

Everyone seems to be looking to blame anyone but themselves.

I would have spoken to  6 people in the last week,some  owners of horses trained in canterbury and  the others punters, who,without prompting, have raised the subject currently in the news.  Not one has any sympathy for those involved.  

Industry leaders truly have major issues here. If licenceholders won"t get behind the integrity message,and back their paid leaders,well the industry really is up the creek without a paddle.     You would  think the need for integrity goes without saying.,but not in harness racing by the looks of it.  I don"t envy their jobs.

Re reading that harnesslink story, In my opinion Curtin truly is divisive. Hes out of touch. I've always viewed his articles that way,so I guess i'm not surprised. There is clearly a vocal campaign going on her to undermine those in authority,and I also believe it is going to backfire.,.It already is. 

[Tea_Baggins]

7 hours ago, the galah said:

I just flicked on to harnesslink  and see a comment  from a person supporting mr curtins article who says he has been charged..

Part of the comment is"but someone has to stand up and make an attempt to stop this form of bullying (referring to the riu) in the industry by those on highly inflated salaries, that aren't answerable to anyone by the looks of things. Come on harness racing people get behind your peers and make a change"

Are some of those involved really that out of touch with reality that they think there is sympathy for their actions.  There may have been sympathy for their predicament and for the stress they and their families may be under,but this lack of any willingness to even contemplate addressing the reasons for why they are in this predicament, well it truly is stunning.

Everyone seems to be looking to blame anyone but themselves.

I would have spoken to  6 people in the last week,some  owners of horses trained in canterbury and  the others punters, who,without prompting, have raised the subject currently in the news.  Not one has any sympathy for those involved.  

Industry leaders truly have major issues here. If licenceholders won"t get behind the integrity message,and back their paid leaders,well the industry really is up the creek without a paddle.     You would  think the need for integrity goes without saying.,but not in harness racing by the looks of it.  I don"t envy their jobs.

Re reading that harnesslink story, In my opinion Curtin truly is divisive. Hes out of touch. I've always viewed his articles that way,so I guess i'm not surprised. There is clearly a vocal campaign going on her to undermine those in authority,and I also believe it is going to backfire.,.It already is. 

And if any of the persons charged are exonerated what happens then. I believe you think they are guilty in your one track mind even if they are proven to be not at fault.

I do not condone any of the peoples actions that have been charged but people like you who make up their minds before knowing all the facts make me sick.

[Newmarket]

I thought Spicer has horses with trainer Nigel Mcgrath? So it makes sense does it not. Maybe those at the top are under suspicion also? 

[the galah]

1 hour ago, Tea_Baggins said:

And if any of the persons charged are exonerated what happens then. I believe you think they are guilty in your one track mind even if they are proven to be not at fault.

I do not condone any of the peoples actions that have been charged but people like you who make up their minds before knowing all the facts make me sick.

I note you highlighted "not one has any sympathy for those involve"

I guess your comments refer to each of the 6 people I spoke to and of course myself.

Of course that is going to upset those involved and anyone who supports them. Harness racing is a tight nit group who are very loyal to each other and will go into battle for each other. Good things.. 

However, attacking everyone who says anything other than their view on things is a little narrow minded and out of touch.

In my post I did quote a licenceholder trying to unite everyone in the fight against the riu and their bullying, apparently not just because of recent events, which I thought were handled by the police, but also for taking away their incomes by handing out excessive fines.    

 Hows that going to get any sympathy.

Heres just a hand ful of comments I got from the people who spoke to me about this topic and who make you sick.

"I remember the time up at nelson when .. was having talking to us while we had a beer,  he showed us his treble ticket and he didn't have his drive,a hot favourite in the last . the first 2 legs had paid well and sure enough he got the treble."      This comment related to about 30 years ago.  This was at the time when many of the leading drivers were involved. 

Then there was  the bloke who at the time had several horses in work turned up at the races,went and saw his trainer who informed him they weren't trying to win tonight as it was... turn. The said owner had already punted his own horse. That was about 20 years ago.

Then there was the bloke who this week turned down a share in a horse. He was soured by the recent events. 

 I once worked for a trainer who spoke about punting one of his horses,a hot favourite, only to see it pulled back on the fence,and never get a run.  He told the story of how he  was investigated, and how the police apparently tapped phones,but nothing ever came of it. That was about 30 years ago also.

Personally I once spoke to a trainer,who told me he had been investigated to do with a pick 6. Apparently some of the drivers wives in the last leg  had struck a big pick 6,and the drives in the last were very questionable.  Ironically the driver of the winner was investigated but found to have no knowledge of the help he received. That was about 15 years ago.

 

  Work it out tea baggins ,the people today are paying the price for previous indiscretions of those within the industry who went before them.  This day was always coming, it was just a matter of when.  I do feel sorry for them  on a personal level,I'm sure everyone does,they will be respected in a lot of ways ,whatever the outcome.  

The old saying of its not the hurdles in life that define you,its how you get over them that will.

Edited September 17, 2018 by the galah

[hunterthepunter]

1 hour ago, Newmarket said:

I thought Spicer has horses with trainer Nigel Mcgrath? So it makes sense does it not. Maybe those at the top are under suspicion also? 

wrong spicer has a horse and is trained by Geoff knight cherry baby it is called

[Guest CrossCodes]

Ken and his wife did breed Sheriff, and have close ties with the McGrath stable, so no, he's not totally impartial.

[Tea_Baggins]

44 minutes ago, the galah said:

I note you highlighted "not one has any sympathy for those involve"

I guess your comments refer to each of the 6 people I spoke to and of course myself.

Of course that is going to upset those involved and anyone who supports them. Harness racing is a tight nit group who are very loyal to each other and will go into battle for each other. Good things.. 

However, attacking everyone who says anything other than their view on things is a little narrow minded and out of touch.

In my post I did quote a licenceholder trying to unite everyone in the fight against the riu and their bullying, apparently not just because of recent events, which I thought were handled by the police, but also for taking away their incomes by handing out excessive fines.    

 Hows that going to get any sympathy.

Heres just a hand ful of comments I got from the people who spoke to me about this topic and who make you sick.

"I remember the time up at nelson when .. was having talking to us while we had a beer,  he showed us his treble ticket and he didn't have his drive,a hot favourite in the last . the first 2 legs had paid well and sure enough he got the treble."      This comment related to about 30 years ago.  This was at the time when many of the leading drivers were involved. 

Then there was  the bloke who at the time had several horses in work turned up at the races,went and saw his trainer who informed him they weren't trying to win tonight as it was... turn. The said owner had already punted his own horse. That was about 20 years ago.

Then there was the bloke who this week turned down a share in a horse. He was soured by the recent events. 

 I once worked for a trainer who spoke about punting one of his horses,a hot favourite, only to see it pulled back on the fence,and never get a run.  He told the story of how he  was investigated, and how the police apparently tapped phones,but nothing ever came of it. That was about 30 years ago also.

Personally I once spoke to a trainer,who told me he had been investigated to do with a pick 6. Apparently some of the drivers wives in the last leg  had struck a big pick 6,and the drives in the last were very questionable.  Ironically the driver of the winner was investigated but found to have no knowledge of the help he received. That was about 15 years ago.

 

  Work it out tea baggins ,the people today are paying the price for previous indiscretions of those within the industry who went before them.  This day was always coming, it was just a matter of when.  I do feel sorry for them  on a personal level,I'm sure everyone does,they will be respected in a lot of ways ,whatever the outcome.  

The old saying of its not the hurdles in life that define you,its how you get over them that will.

About as hypocritical as it gets. You have just attacked Mr Curtin on here for his view in your previous post. At least he has the guts to put his name to what he writes do you? Or are you just another cowardly keyboard warrior hiding behind your screen with ulterior motives.

A C Buccod

[the galah]

16 minutes ago, Tea_Baggins said:

About as hypocritical as it gets. You have just attacked Mr Curtin on here for his view in your previous post. At least he has the guts to put his name to what he writes do you? Or are you just another cowardly keyboard warrior hiding behind your screen with ulterior motives.

A C Buccod

 Previously I had a negative experience so will stick to The galah.

If you knew me you would know anything I say on here I would repeat in person. 

Never been called a coward before,kind of amusing in a way.

Calling me a keyboard warrior with ulterior motives.   Can you enlighten me as to what they may be.

Attacking mr curtins views. I'm consistent, I don't agree with him,as per normal.

Instead of making it personal,i doesn't worry me, how about you stick to what I said. 

Of course i'm guessing the reason you don't is because your argument is driven by emotion,not reality..

 Have  a good day and don't let people with views like me get you down. 

[Tea_Baggins]

Just now, the galah said:

 Previously I had a negative experience so will stick to The galah.

If you knew me you would know anything I say on here I would repeat in person. 

Never been called a coward before,kind of amusing in a way.

Calling me a keyboard warrior with ulterior motives.   Can you enlighten me as to what they may be.

Attacking mr curtins views. I'm consistent, I don't agree with him,as per normal.

Instead of making it personal,i doesn't worry me, how about you stick to what I said. 

Of course i'm guessing the reason you don't is because your argument is driven by emotion,not reality..

 Have  a good day and don't let people with views like me get you down. 

Thought so.

Back to work everybody!

[Nowornever]

2 hours ago, the galah said:

"I remember the time up at nelson when .. was having talking to us while we had a beer,  he showed us his treble ticket and he didn't have his drive,a hot favourite in the last . the first 2 legs had paid well and sure enough he got the treble."      This comment related to about 30 years ago.  This was at the time when many of the leading drivers were involved. 

Then there was  the bloke who at the time had several horses in work turned up at the races,went and saw his trainer who informed him they weren't trying to win tonight as it was... turn. The said owner had already punted his own horse. That was about 20 years ago.

Then there was the bloke who this week turned down a share in a horse. He was soured by the recent events. 

 I once worked for a trainer who spoke about punting one of his horses,a hot favourite, only to see it pulled back on the fence,and never get a run.  He told the story of how he  was investigated, and how the police apparently tapped phones,but nothing ever came of it. That was about 30 years ago also.

Personally I once spoke to a trainer,who told me he had been investigated to do with a pick 6. Apparently some of the drivers wives in the last leg  had struck a big pick 6,and the drives in the last were very questionable.  Ironically the driver of the winner was investigated but found to have no knowledge of the help he received. That was about 15 years ago.

Are you sure you are not from the police. The evidence you have is almost identical to what they have from what I have heard.

[Poisoned Dwarf]

It is a fact. Never ever has a driver/trainer/jockey ever been guilty of an offence. There's always someone else to blame

[the galah]

9 minutes ago, Nowornever said:

Are you sure you are not from the police. The evidence you have is almost identical to what they have from what I have heard.

There I was,just saying what people I spoke to said about the past dishonesty,and how it was obvious that influenced the way they perceived the current cases. In other words,we'll wait and see but nothing surprises them.

I just don't make it up. 

I see no point in telling people what they want to hear. 

All the jibes about the police and the RIU.  One thing I've learnt in life is people will react most when they feel threatened. Instead of arguing the merits of a case they make it personal, and undermine the perceived opposition on a personal basis ,not based on actual merit... Its just a defence mechanism I suppose.  

[globederby12]

5 hours ago, Tea_Baggins said:

I do not condone any of the peoples actions that have been charged

Hang on. Here is an admittance of guilt in a nutshell. You dont condone their actions.So in a sense you have tarred them already. You havnt any evidence they have undertaken any "actions" to be charged with in the first place. 

So logically with that statement if they are exonerated I can call you up and berate you for not condoning something that never existed. 

Kind of an oxymoron.

I will stick with Galah here. 

Contrary to my moniker my name is Rees, and a an owner.

[Happy Sunrise]

19 hours ago, hunterthepunter said:

John Curtin

Harnesslink Media

I really dislike the article written by John Curtin.

I don't what its purpose is at the current time. If he waited until after the trials and verdicts then I could understand the salvos of ammunition he has fired off. 

The HRNZ and RIU are, I imagine, bound by police protocol so can't say too much so while there is a certain lack of public leadership of this issue at the moment I think it would be hard for anyone or any organisation to say too much. 

What gets me the most though is the forthright attack on the RIU and individuals (Mike Godber) in the article. Why is he putting hem on trial in the public arena? He is clearly being a hypocrite when he is so unconcerned by the actions of those involved in the investigation that has brought harness racing into disrepute.

I am not sure of the aim of the article other than to deflect attention and muddy the waters for public sympathy (I doubt the public even remember it happened)

The whole article is bordering on a rant. There is a time and place for opinion pieces but this one baffling, to say the least.

 

[cichlid]

Sunrise,     Curtin brings up some very relevent, points about the R.I.U.  

Well, let us look at this “Integrity Unit”.

It was formed on the 1^st of February 2011.

How was it formed?

What was it formed for?

Who formed it?

Who employed the people running it? 

Who checks them?

Does it have its own internal Integrity for self investigation?

Does any outside entity has supervisory authority with respecting RIU integrity?

Who investigates the Investigators?

Who runs the Integrity Unit?

What is their background?

Let us check each and every member’s credentials.

Let us look at their background.

Some of their decisions over the last few years have been very questionable.

Let us see if there are any indiscretions with each and every one that works there.

Does the management have any untoward vendettas against any of the Codes?

Does the management have any personal vendettas against any individual?

Is management competent enough to make its own decisions?

After all it is ‘The Racing Integrity Unit” isn’t it?

And regardless of how wonderful any of these members may be, including the head, shouldn’t they be required to stand down and be replaced on a staggered base to ensure both continuity and real maintenance as investigative integrity?

There should be an absolute term limit of no more than six years for all employees and maybe four years for the head.

 

Why don't we get answers to these well laid out Questions..  I'll bet if a  check into the General Manager who has too much authority  was  done  It will shock you.. Cameron George and Ross Neil made sure That the    "I"    in R.I.U. was tainted beyond repair right from the start..  Wake up and see the sun Happy...

[Tea_Baggins]

3 hours ago, globederby12 said:

Hang on. Here is an admittance of guilt in a nutshell. You dont condone their actions.So in a sense you have tarred them already. You havnt any evidence they have undertaken any "actions" to be charged with in the first place. 

So logically with that statement if they are exonerated I can call you up and berate you for not condoning something that never existed. 

Kind of an oxymoron.

I will stick with Galah here. 

Contrary to my moniker my name is Rees, and a an owner.

No I do not condone drug taking of any kind in fact I hope New Zealand follows the Indonesian stance on drugs in future years. As far as the fixing goes I doubt it will get to trial, as Galah will have had them burnt at the stake by then.

[Rangatira]

16 hours ago, the galah said:

I just flicked on to harnesslink  and see a comment  from a person supporting mr curtins article who says he has been charged..

Part of the comment is"but someone has to stand up and make an attempt to stop this form of bullying (referring to the riu) in the industry by those on highly inflated salaries, that aren't answerable to anyone by the looks of things. Come on harness racing people get behind your peers and make a change"

Are some of those involved really that out of touch with reality that they think there is sympathy for their actions.  There may have been sympathy for their predicament and for the stress they and their families may be under,but this lack of any willingness to even contemplate addressing the reasons for why they are in this predicament, well it truly is stunning.

Everyone seems to be looking to blame anyone but themselves.

I would have spoken to  6 people in the last week,some  owners of horses trained in canterbury and  the others punters, who,without prompting, have raised the subject currently in the news.  Not one has any sympathy for those involved.  

Industry leaders truly have major issues here. If licenceholders won"t get behind the integrity message,and back their paid leaders,well the industry really is up the creek without a paddle.     You would  think the need for integrity goes without saying.,but not in harness racing by the looks of it.  I don"t envy their jobs.

Re reading that harnesslink story, In my opinion Curtin truly is divisive. Hes out of touch. I've always viewed his articles that way,so I guess i'm not surprised. There is clearly a vocal campaign going on her to undermine those in authority,and I also believe it is going to backfire.,.It already is. 

can you help me with how this aligns with operation inca

[Taku Umanga]

1 hour ago, Happy Sunrise said:

 

What gets me the most though is the forthright attack on the RIU and individuals (Mike Godber) in the article. Why is he putting hem on trial in the public arena? He is clearly being a hypocrite when he is so unconcerned by the actions of those involved in the investigation that has brought harness racing into disrepute.

 

 

Yep - that tactic is often used by defendant's in court - attack the process used and those bringing the prosecution ..... but in this instance it is the Police prosecuting - not the RIU!

[Happy Sunrise]

1 hour ago, cichlid said:

Wake up and see the sun Happy...

Not saying the questions posed of the RIU are wrong. I am just saying it is not the right time to be letting loose on them now.

If he was so concerned he should have written the article a long time ago. 

His timing leaves a lot to be desired.

Edited September 18, 2018 by Happy Sunrise