"On the eve of its marquee event, the Spring Carnival, Australia's multi-billion dollar racing industry is circling the wagons. As the great and the good of the international turf descend on Melbourne to compete in our biggest races, allegations of corruption and scandal are spoiling the party big time."Three weeks ago jockey Danny Nikolic, already under investigation for alleged race fixing, was banned for two years by authorities for threatening the chief steward. This week champion rider Damien Oliver's hero status was shattered by allegations he bet $10,000 on another runner in a race in which he was riding. And the favourite for tomorrow's Caulfield Cup, Glencadam Gold, will be ridden by Jimmy Cassidy, one of Australia's greatest ever jockeys, and the subject of ongoing allegations that he received corrupt payments from incarcerated drug lord Tony Mokbel. Cassidy has denied the claim.
"From a media standpoint, the most notable feature of these revelations is who broke these stories: not the racing journos who cover the game week in, week out, but "non-racing" news and investigative reporters."
Read our full story over at the ABC's The Drum.
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