Trainers v QRIC meeting results in positive outcome for all parties
A high voltage meeting between 17 leading trainers and the QRIC, as well as other state racing bodies, has ended with all parties agreeing it was a worthwhile exercise.
Racing
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A large group of southeast Queensland trainers met with Integrity Commissioner Ross Barnett at Doomben on Monday in a high voltage meeting where a range of integrity concerns were laid bare.
A total of 17 trainers, including six of the top seven on the state Premiership, were represented, which was also attended by Racing Queensland Chief Executive Brendan Parnell and Ben Marczyk from the office of Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe.
Barnett was joined by Chief Steward Peter Chadwick, stewards Daniel Aurisch and Paul Gillard and Deputy Integrity Commissioner Mark Ainsworth.
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It followed an article on Racenet.com.au where trainers Rob Heathcote, Kelly Schweida, Desleigh Forster and Bryan and Daniel Guy spoke out about integrity concerns in Queensland racing.
Premier trainer Tony Gollan described the meeting as having a positive outcome, where “a lot of questions were answered.”
“It gives us confidence in what is going to happen,” Gollan said.
“There was plenty of robust discussion and a lot of grievances were aired. I thought Ross (Barnett) was pretty good with his responses.”
Fellow leading trainer Toby Edmonds said he was disappointed with the way the situation had played out leading up to Monday, feeling everyone had been slurred as a result of the allegations made about widespread cheating.
“I think there is a lot of banter in the background and because we win a lot of races, you hear it all the time,” Edmonds said.
“There are people that are disgruntled that you are winning a race. It seems there’s always a slur on people that are doing well.
“I feel we’ve all got a responsibility to the industry to try and uphold the image of the industry. And that hasn’t happened in this instance.”
Barnett said he believed the meeting was a worthwhile exercise.
“It’s always better when people come together and talk. It gives all sides the opportunity to communicate together and explain things that have been going on,” he said.
Key issues discussed included the QCAT lag, drop off in pre-race testing during COVID-19 and the enforcement of horse arrival times on course.
“We were here to reassure people about what we do that they don’t see that we do,” Barnett said.
“Try and give them some encouragement that integrity is not just about pre-race testing, there’s a lot of other things going on. I think they have a better appreciation of our issues and we have a crystal clear understanding of their concerns and the perceptions of their concerns.
“I certainly don’t agree with the perception that there is widespread cheating here, but as I’ve said before, people are entitled to their view and to express their view. One thing it did was led to this meeting, which was a great outcome.”
Originally published as Trainers v QRIC meeting results in positive outcome for all parties