Racing NSW May Have Jumped Gun On Munce
Filed Under Curtain Rods | Posted on December 7, 2008
IT IS always a tragedy to see great traditions come to an end. Reciprocity in racing as we have known it is dead. May it rest in peace. The haste exhibited by Racing NSW in its desire to allow disqualified jockey Chris Munce back on to racetracks was embarrassing and I’m afraid will have far-reaching consequences.
Munce could have appealed against the severity of the penalty imposed by Hong Kong Jockey Club stewards. Remember, he pleaded guilty to all charges levelled against him. An appeal against conviction, while not impossible, would have been difficult. Appealing severity may have been different.
Racing NSW did not even wait to have at least a cursory look at the transcript of proceedings before HKJC stewards. The proceedings had not been typed up when Munce appeared before whomever he fronted at Racing NSW.
Such matter are not for employees. I will lay long odds-on that Queensland Racing chairman Bob Bentley and Racing Victoria Ltd chairman Michael Duffy will never allow themselves, nor their boards, to walk away from having to make such decisions.
The advantages of reciprocity in racing are apparent to anyone who stops to consider the issue. Reciprocity is a consensus-type situation. I believe it is a small step on the way to reaching a common standard in disciplinary matters. Please remember reciprocal discipline systems are hardly unique to horse racing.
Surely it is imperative we establish and enforce integrity in racing, no matter how unpalatable it may be at times. It includes making sure rules are honoured by other racing authorities.
Reciprocity is simply a matter of having faith in fellow authorities and giving credit to their decisions. It is sad Racing NSW has no faith in judicial decisions made by the HKJC.
Over the years there has been an “iron curtain” in respect of reciprocity. The curtain is showing real signs of rust. In the US there has been a series of well-known cases where individuals have been licensed in one jurisdiction even though they have been ineligible in other jurisdictions. In today’s litigious society everyone with money seems anxious to test the system.
International uniformity of approach to the control and supervision of racing is influenced by international articles on breeding and racing. These articles are agreed to each year by racing nations who attend a conference of International Horse Racing Authorities.
Most, but not all, racing authorities provide for the adoption and implementation of racing penalties imposed by other nations. The Australian Racing Board represents this country at the conference. It signed up to reciprocity on behalf of state jurisdictions.
Tags: bob bentley, chairman bob, disciplinary matters, having faith, hkjc, hong kong jockey, hong kong jockey club, iron curtain, judicial decisions, long odds, michael duffy, queensland racing, racetracks, racing nsw, racing victoria, reciprocal discipline, reciprocity, type situation, victoria ltdRelated posts
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