Tighter security on courses needed

Press, 9 July 1986, Page 43

Tighter security on courses needed

PA Wellington A tighter rein is required on security in the racing industry according to the New Zealand Trotting Conference’s chief racecourse inspector. Mr Norm Sowter said in his report to the annual conference of New Zealand Trotting Club representatives in Wellington yesterday hardened criminals were becoming increasingly interested in the racing industry. “We are hearing more and more of the Mafia element that is creeping into racing in Australia from the headlines in the news media which refer to race rigging, trainers beaten up and murders.

This is very frightening. “Because of our involvement in the Australian racing scene we must remain alert to this problem,” said Mr Sowter. “We are concerned at the general lack of appreciation shown by some clubs of their security.” "The inspector’s request for much tighter security in some areas is often ignored. The usual excuse is a lack of finance but those same clubs do not appear to hesitate to spend money in other areas which we believe are of less importance.” "Perhaps the authority may be in a position to offer some assistance by some form of incentive to those clubs which lack

finance.” Mr Sowter said while the racing and trotting conferences have been responsible in having inspectors to police their own codes, there has been no pressure by the racing authority to ensure the same for greyhound racing. “Racing, trotting and greyhound racing must be policed equally to keep the racing-minded criminal element from becoming involved to the extend that corruption can no longer be curbed,” he said. Communication with the police was also becoming increasingly important for racecourse inspectors.