20 witnesses are expected to be called at Racing NSW’s Sydney CBD headquarters for today’s inquiry into the performance of More Joyous in April 27’s All Aged Stakes. Join us for live updates and a blog of the inquiry from 11am.
Note: The Roar’s Andrew Hawkins will be at the Druitt St inquiry and passing on revelations as they happen from 11AM AEST.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained More Joyous was a drifting favourite in betting before the All Aged Stakes at Randwick, in which she finished second last.
John Singleton, the owner of More Joyous, claimed bookmaker Tom Waterhouse (the son of Gai), had told friends in the days before the race that the 10-time-Group-1-winning mare “had problems and couldn’t win”.
Tom Waterhouse has denied the allegations.
Singleton, on the other hand, transferred each of his eight Waterhouse-trained thoroughbreds to other stables, claiming post-race, “When Gai’s son knows last night what the result will be today, there’s a conflict of interest”.
Heat in More Joyous’ neck was treated with antibiotics on the Thursday prior to the All Aged Stakes and the mare was passed fit to start by two subsequent veterinary examinations from inside the stable.
There are many areas of interest for the stewards at today’s inquiry, most notably:
1. Why the stewards weren’t notified about the health issues of More Joyous prior to the running of the All Aged.
2. Any information known and passed on by Tom Waterhouse about the health of More Joyous
3. Betting on the race, including an alarming market drift that saw More Joyous punted from favouritism in the minutes before the beginning of the All Aged
4. A post-race altercation at Randwick between Singleton and the husband of Gai Waterhouse, rails bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse
5. The veracity of the claims made by Singleton
Former rugby league halfback Andrew Johns, former jockey Allan Robinson and punter Eddie Hayson have been called by stewards to the inquiry but are unlikely to attend.
Robinson and Johns are now known as the people who informed Singleton that More Joyous “had problems”, while Hayson has confirmed he heard negative feedback about the mare on the Friday before the race.
Racing NSW CEO Peter V’Landys has stated any parties called to the inquiry who don’t attend could be ‘warned off’, which has the effect of stopping someone from being allowed entrance to any racetrack in the world.
Billy Mack
Guest
One of the effects of giving a horse antibiotics is that it has a tendency to flatten the horse . The neck injury more than likely was caused by the needle used to administer the dose which causes bleeding leading to a haematoma, this also occurs on occasions. There are several ways a horse can be flattened which is generally caused by accident and the horse bolts and overworks to the extreme. If this occurs everyone sees it and if by chance it goes around in a race a couple of days later the trainer wouldn't be tipping the owner in to it, the word would be out that it couldn't win and it would blow. A gambler (punter or bookie ) that didn't like it's chances at $2.50 isn't going to consider it's chances have been improved when your judgement has been vindicated by it blowing $3.50, it must be considered a very strange action for a professional gambler to then back the horse. Without bothering to try and prove who said what which is an exercise in futility, as the HAT is only asking questions he already knows the answers to, why not ask for a list of horses that this stable has treated previously with identical circumstances , some of the large number of this stables beaten easing favs. may feature on this list
Justin Cinque
Expert
Before the 2012 Canterbury, More Joyous was given water from a hose in the mounting yard. She looked atrocious. A mate I went to the races with thought she couldn't lose. When he saw MJ in the yard, he chose not to back her. She won! By the way, I agree completely with the premise of your post.
johnb747b
Guest
Every athlete including a thoroughbred can have a bad day at the office. However... Horses can be scratched if there is doubt about 100% fitness. Punters are entitled to that much integrity. I've seen MJ's finish several times. In a further 50-70 metres she'd have run last. She was giving nothing. She was NOT at her best. Setting aside the theatricals of Gai v Singo etc, racing has a problem yet again if attesting a horse's fitness to run can be gambled with. I'm not drawing a comparison but years ago I was at Randwick, hovering around the stables before the next race. In amazement I watched a stable attendant putting a hose down the throat of the favourite. It ran last. Integrity in sport is essential. Cycling? AFL? NFL? Tennis? European football? I would bet about $100 all-up per annum, which hardly makes me a big spender. I do, however, want to bet with assurance that the game is clean.
nan
Guest
singo is a disgrace reminds me of john elliott opens his mouth too quick with out basis sometimes.
greggd
Guest
In my opinion, Gai Waterhouse has " Borderline Personality Disorder" or BPD !! Why else would she "Devalue" John Singleton ? Calling him an alchoholic etc , after he has been so loyal to her !! Gai Waterhouse wears a "MASK" in public - you don't get to see the REAL her ! Narcissists like her husband,son and even John Singleton are attracted to these women !! With Gai Waterhouse it is always "Everybody else's FAULT" and NEVER her fault !! BPD's are everywhere and they have no real place in a public forum - essentially they are "NUTCASES" I for one are FED up with these people !!
yewonk
Guest
it is naive to think any of those characters have not had inside information before and laid bets to there own advantage, least of all john singleton.
yewonk
Guest
indeed the last time she let a horse go race with a question over it, it won and she was hailed as a genius.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
So in a nut Shell, Singleton is a drunk sore loser and flew off the rails when his horse lost. Pretty typical for him. He couldn't back down after he brought Tom Waterhouse in with some pretty serious allegations because it would make him look like the clown he is. Sure Gai didn't report to the stewards about MJ but that thing happens all the time, and she probably thought nothing of it.
Morris
Guest
It is naive to think that a horse racing trainer would not talk racing to a family member engaged in the same industry. The nature and extent of those discussions will never become public knowledge, so questions will always remain unanswered. Without pre-empting the result of this investigation or making any unfounded accusations, as a punter I would be very interested to know why More Joyous drifted dramatically in the betting.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Thanks mate. It did get a bit quiet there but we made it all the same!
Alfred Chan
Expert
Great coverage of the day Justin and Andrew Hawkins. Cheers.
Allanthus
Guest
Richie C has it in a nutshell. Gai is potentially in the wrong re notification, and Singo is in murky water about bringing Tom into it without any proof. All the rest of it is just stuff to sell papers and keep us distracted and amused. Cheers Justin, shame the information flow dried up a little during the day, but nice job all the same. Looking forward to Andrew's column from the inside...
Alfred Chan
Expert
I don't see how he would be barred from the course. In no way can he be found guilty of reducing the integrity of the sport, only the Waterhouse's can. In my eyes, the worst thing that can happen to Singo is the Waterhouse's take him to court. It takes a huge exchange of dodgy money for someone to get barred from the course. Singo may have bought the game into disrepute but he has not committed any criminal offence which is generally what it takes to get barred from the course. *just speculation
Justin Cinque
Expert
Thanks for your company today. And be sure to join us on The Roar for more independent coverage of racing.
Justin Cinque
Expert
So it looks like it's time to wrap up. Almost all of the evidence has been taken today but the inquiry has been adjourned for the stewards to consider the evidence. Hayson, Johns and Robbo will once again be asked to turn up on the next occasion for questioning. The winners today: Tom Waterhouse (looks like he has no case to answer) The losers Gai Waterhouse (looks like she has a case to answer re not informing stewards of the treatment given to MJ) John Singleton (looks like he could be charged with bringing racing into disrepute)
Justin Cinque
Expert
No date set. If he is required, he'd want to turn up. The last thing he needs is to be barred.
Alfred Chan
Expert
I get the feeling Singo won't be turning up tomorrow.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Brent Zerafa of TVN tweets that the stewards will adjourn to assess the evidence and ask once more for Johns, Robbo and Hayson to attend the inquiry.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Andrew Bensley saying there will be no result at today's inquiry. -- Most of the witnesses, if not all of them, have been in the box. I'd say there will be a short adjournment (a week or two perhaps?) for decision and sentencing.
Justin Cinque
Expert
The media has been called back into the hearing room. This won't finish today.