Racing NSW has this afternoon made the extraordinary decision to suspend all betting for The Everest 2018, citing “security risks”, as controversy of the use of the Opera House to advertise the event intensifies.
The decision was reportedly made to preserve the integrity of the event, and ensure any insider information from the private barrier draw conducted earlier is not leaked prior to the final barriers being publically displayed this evening. The barrier draw was originally scheduled to be conducted live and projected onto the Opera House’s sails.
In statement published on ABC.net, Racing NSW claimed they “made the decision to conduct the draw prior to the event to circumvent any security risks that may exist.”
“Racing NSW stewards shall advise all wagering operators this evening when they may recommence betting on the event.”
The news comes amidst a week of controversy for Racing NSW, with the state government’s decision to force the Opera House to display betting information for the upcoming race on its sails met with overwhelming derision and hostility by the public.
Alan Jones, the talkback host who publically criticised Opera House chief Louise Herron over the controversy, today apologised for the manner in which he handled the issue.
peeeko
Roar Guru
i fail to see the connection with women backing each other and outing people that have committed assault?
Mick Jeffrey
Roar Rookie
Don't be fooled, the freeze in betting hhad nothing to do with security, but with tthe scratching of one of the rubbers and subsequent replacement.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
This has been a really, really tacky effort of 'Me Tooism' by Sydney. The Everest, 2nd year in, no history and no tradition and no class but they've thrown a lot of money at it and proven that you can't buy any of what it doesn't have (well, not over night anyway!!). Alan Jones has let himself down....well, no, not really - he's played to type - which brings me back to the 'tacky' label. And the whole notion of advertising a high stakes horse race on the SOH is ….. well, that's 3 from 3 for 'tacky'. Sorry Sydney - massive fail. But ScoMo thinks it's a no brainer from his marketing background - - I wonder whether he can deal with other no brainers like real scientific evidence from the IPCC and realistic energy futures from the Alan Finkel report...….or perhaps 'no brainer' takes on a slightly different meaning??
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Wow Alan Jones has incited a riot , we’ll probably not , but any goodwill non racing fans had for this event, has been smacked down , by his vitriol