Test run’ before SIM betting splurge

Press, 23 August 1984, Page 30

Test run’ before SIM betting splurge

NZPA-AAP Brisbane The mastermind behind last Saturday’s Fine Cotton “sting” may have tricked Brisbane race officials 10 days earlier with a “test run” at Doomben using a third horse. Some experienced people closely associated with the industry believe the horse which raced at Doomben on August 8 as Fine Cotton was also a ring-in, but not the horse used in Saturday’s million dollar Australiawide splurge. That horse, former Ballina sprinter Bold Personality, has been under armed guard since Saturday’s sensational Commerce Handicap. However, it is believed approval for the elaborate

plan was only given after a “dry run” had been pulled off involving a third horse at Doomben. On the day in question, Fine Cotton eased from 10-1 to 20-1, and compounded after being prominent to the home turn. Police are investigating new leads that a third horse was used in a trial run at Doomben. Several Brisbane jockeys, who are not prepared to be named, claim the horse which ran at Bundamba on August 6 was not the same horse which ran at Doomben just two days later. Police have been told neither horse was Bold Personality. Fine Cotton’s trainer, Hayden Haitana, last seen at a Gold Coast hotel on

Sunday morning, had still not come out of hiding and his family had also gone into seclusion. Queensland Turf Club stewards made contact with Haitana, aged 38, on Tuesday but police were still searching for the trainer. An experienced racing administrator, Mr Greg Carlton, who has faced death threats during his 40 years in the game, has no doubts a “Mr Big” is manipulating a number of frightened trainers. During his term on the stewards panel, Mr Carlton led investigations which convicted the Sydney trainer, John Page, and jockeys Sammy Howard and Rex Kelly, of conspiring to rig a race at Coffs Harbour in 1973.

The race was won by a New Zealand horse, Star Fall, backed from 6-1 to 2-1 . on. All three were disqualified for 12 months. “I am almost certain last Saturday’s ring-in and one two years ago involving Apparent Heir and Mannasong are connected in some way,” Mr Carlton said. Mr Carlton said the person responsible for the substitution of Fine Cotton last Saturday was no “little Mr Big.” “Mr Big is the only one capable of organising ringins, dopings and one-goers,” he said. “He has no scruples. He preys on the little people like Haitana who have no means of fighting back.”