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The More Joyous inquiry continues today after a lack of evidence enforced a stay of proceedings last week. Join us here on The Roar from 10.00am AEST for live coverage throughout the day with key testimony from Andrew Johns set to test allegiances.
During the week Andrew Hawkins provided a full recap of proceedings from the opening day. He joins us live from Racing NSW headquarters once again after guiding us through the opening day of proceedings.
Racing’s melodrama beyond Hollywood’s finest screenwriters has unfolded on the most public of stages since John Singleton’s television interview after the All Aged Stakes.
Seven days ago, little that was not already known was revealed due to the absence of the three most crucial witnesses to the inquiry.
Following glaring requests by Racing NSW, all three have agreed to front the stewards today.
The key witness today will be Rugby League Immortal, Andrew Johns, who is the key link between Tom Waterhouse and Singleton.
Believed to be concerned about his ties with Channel Nine in relation to his role in the inquiry, he opted not to attend day one of the hearing, providing a sworn statement instead.
Johns’ statement did not suffice the stewards’ queries as day one quickly turned into a game of Chinese Whispers between Singleton and legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse.
Allegations against Singleton’s character were alleged as the drama boiled over towards the end of the day.
Eddie Hayson and Alan Robinson are the other two key witnesses to appear but their relevance will firmly rest on the testimony of Johns.
The pressing question posed to Johns will be, what did he say to Hayson? The most striking word stewards will be looking for is ‘off’.
If it is revealed that Johns was aware that More Joyous was off on the day of the All Aged Stakes, ramifications will be fierce on the Waterhouse stable for allowing an unfit horse to run without informing the stewards.
Hayson is one of Australia’s biggest punters with phone records showing a clear link between Hayson, Johns and Robinson on the day of the All Aged.
Confirming his attendance for today’s inquiry, Hayson will be attending with his legal team.
In the event that witnesses can confirm that they heard of More Joyous being ‘off’, it will be fairly clear that Tom Waterhouse possessed information which had not been made public.
It has already been established that Waterhouse and Johns shared a brief conversation about More Joyous prior to the All Aged.
Outside of the headline witnesses, John Singleton will keenly anticipate John’s testimony after alleging a conspiracy against him at the hands of the Waterhouse’s.
Demanding that Johns ‘man up’ and tell the truth, the longstanding friendships Singleton has held within the industry have crumbled beneath him over the past weeks has loyalties have been cast aside in search of riches.
The looming verdict following the first day of the hearing was that Singleton would be found of bringing the sport into disrepute.
It will hinge on whether he had true ground to make the comments he made and if in fact Johns did relay the message of More Joyous being “off”, Singleton will be free of any wrongdoing.
In his statement provided to the stewards, Johns admitted he may have had a few too many drinks when he allegedly passed information on to Hayson.
As a result, Johns believes he may have exaggerated the matter where there was none.
This issue has now drawn longer than it deserves and the longer it lasts, the less likely there will be a punishment worthy of headlines.
A few slaps on the wrists, a whole lot of reputation and credibility destroyed and rubble in mass from bridges burned appears the most likely outcome.
No other witnesses besides Hayson, Robinson and Johns are expected to be called.
Join us from 10.00am AEST as the inquiry unfolds.
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