The news about Damien Oliver had broken and TVN's Bruce Clark was not happy:
"Who leaked this story to The Age? It can't be the police because they're not investigating this."
Clarke was incredulous that such a bombshell could be dropped six days before a Caulfield Cup.
Back in August the Racing Review chums were similarly bothered when The Age's Nick McKenzie made his first rude intrusions into Shangri-La. Clarke continued:
"This investigation is by the (Racing Victoria) Stewards! The basis of all these stories has been leaks from Victorian Police to The Age. It can't be the police (that leaked the story) because they're not investigating this."Clark didn't reveal how he knew police weren't investigating, nor did he say how he'd got access to all The Age's sources to be able to make such a claim. But then Adrian Dunn said something really extraordinary:
"Well, it's a Pandora's Box, because this was all supposedly going to be happening AFTER the Spring Carnival, it's now right in the middle of the Spring Carnival."Freeze. Hold it right there.
"...this was all supposedly going to be happening AFTER the Spring Carnival..."What?
What exactly was "all supposed to be happening AFTER the Spring Carnival"?
- Has Racing Victoria been sitting on these allegations, waiting for the right PR moment to investigate?
- Have racing journos been sitting on this story waiting for authorities to give them the green light?
- Why are professional journalists asking who leaked stories to rival media?
So, jockeys are alleged to have fixed races, taken kickbacks, bet on rival mounts, threatened stewards, and consorted with major crime figures.
And these alleged journalists are "disappointed" that someone "inside racing" has leaked this story? Ever heard of a whistleblower? Ever heard of the public interest? Ever heard of a scoop?
Hand in your union cards. All except Mick Sharkie. Keenly aware of his knowledge gap, Sharkie probed his colleagues for more:
"Is it absolutely clear, done and dusted, that there has been no police investigation at any point into this story, because by saying it's an RVL investigation, are you saying they haven't received any information about this from the police?"No one knew. RVL won't say. Fancy that. Maybe Sharkie should buttonhole his colleagues at The Age.
Clarke wrapped up the show, but not before reading out a letter suggesting jockeys should be allowed to bet on whatever they want, no worries. This astonishing suggestion went unchallenged.
Yeah, sure, let jockeys bet. Why not? As long as they tell stewards which horse will win at least 30 mins before the event so we can all get on.
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