Punter Glenn Pollett apologies to James McDonald for his comments on Racing Rant show
Punter Glenn Pollett said there was “no harm intended” by comments he made on an internet show which suggested leading jockey James McDonald was betting on races.
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Punter Glenn Pollett revealed he spent five minutes on the phone apologising to James McDonald after comments he made on an internet show which suggested the leading jockey was betting on races.
Pollett and fellow Racing Rant panellist Marc Lambourne were at a Racing NSW hearing on Tuesday to defend their actions from April 20 when discussing McDonald’s winning ride on Kinane in the Frank Packer Plate.
At the time, Pollett said: “J-Mac’s got to be careful when he talks after a race, I tell you he’s got to be a bit more careful. He talks about their chance, what he thought prior to the race and as he’s talking you can see he’s had $1500 each-way on it or something”.
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The champion rider was disqualified from the sport for 18 months in 2016 after being found guilty of betting on Astern to win on debut and he wasn’t happy with what was said on Racing Rant.
“I spoke to James McDonald for five minutes when I knew he was upset. He’s very sensitive of his betting past and he accepted my apology,” Pollett told stewards on Tuesday.
“There was no harm intended to James McDonald. It was a joke and everyone found it funny except you two gentleman (stewards Marc Van Gestel and Wade Birch).”
“And James McDonald,” Van Gestel quickly replied.
“That’s why I contacted him because I knew he was sensitive about it. He didn’t seem unhappy after I apologised to him,” Pollett said.
“You’ve said our leading rider is back on the punt,” Van Gestel said.
“No one loves the game more than me and if someone says I’ve done the wrong thing it’s hurtful,” Pollett said.
The Racing Rant video was replayed at the hearing because Pollett, Lambourne and their lawyer Andrew Capelin argued it was unfair only to read the transcript and wanted to establish the context things were said in.
“I can see you’re unhappy as the chief steward but we’re having a laugh about it (now),” Pollett said.
The pair pleaded not guilty to rule AR228(a), which states a person must not engage in conduct prejudicial to the image, interests, integrity, or welfare of racing, whether or not that conduct takes place within a racecourse or elsewhere.
Pollett said he didn’t see how the comments about one jockey led to a charge of “detriment to the whole industry”.
Racing Rant is restricted to subscribers only, about 650, which Capelin argued wasn’t in the public knowledge.
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“We’re not dealing with a statement made to the public. It’s to a small paying group. It’s comments made to a closed group,” Capelin said. “Public knowledge is absent. You can’t Google it. Less than 1000 people is small enough for it to have a private nature.”
He also argued that his client’s behaviour could be said to be prejudicial to McDonald but no the sport as a whole.
“No harm has come to the image of racing,” Capelin said. “It’s name suggests it has a satirical purpose. Racing Rant can suggest they’re not being serious all the time.
“It was something so ridiculous, how can it not be seen as a joke.”
The hearing was adjourned until a date to be set, either later this week or early next week.