Tasmanian trainer named in betting plunge on suspicious race, as dog food claim made in parliament

Claims poorly-performing racehorses have been slaughtered, cut and fed to racing greyhounds have been added to a litany of allegations of misconduct in the state’s racing industry. DETAILS >

Images of race horses being led to their deaths, and butchered for dog meat have been produced in parliament by Greens leader Cassy O'Connor.

Claims poorly-performing racehorses have been slaughtered, cut and fed to racing greyhounds have been added to a litany of allegations of misconduct in the state’s racing industry.

Two inquiries are now under way into claims that have rocked the government-subsidised and regulated harness racing industry after the Legislative Council announced its own probe.

And parliament on Wednesday heard claims a close friend of a leading harness racing trainer was behind a betting plunge on a horse which won a race under suspicious circumstances.

Greyhound trainer Anthony Bullock was the owner of Written in Silk, which won race nine at Burnie on Burnie Cup Day in January, Labor’s Dean Winter said.

The unfancied horse’s win over favourite Be Good Benny has led to claims of race fixing.

All the horses in the race were from the stable of trainer Ben Yole, who has denied any wrongdoing.

In parliament on Wednesday, Labor’s racing spokesman Dean Winter said Mr Bullock placed a substantial bet with the on-track TAB that caused the odds to drop from $26 to $11.

Images of race horses being butchered were produced in parliament by Greens leader Cassy O'Connor.

Images of race horses being butchered for dog meat have been produced in parliament by Greens leader Cassy O'Connor.

He said the effect of the bet was that the prize money for the winner was tripled.

“Given the well-established relationship between the owner and the trainer, the suspicious conduct of the race itself, the fact the race caller twice noted the incredible betting plunge and the fact the trainer had every horse in the field, how can you explain the fact this race was never investigated?” Mr Winter asked.

He again called on Racing Minister Madeleine Ogilvie to resign. She survived another attempted no-confidence motion on Wesnesday.

Mr Bullock has denied any wrongdoing.

Ms Ogilvie announced Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy would head the inquiry into the allegations aired in recent days.

It will be the second inquiry Mr Murrihy held into the harness racing industry after a report in 2018.

“The Rockliff Liberal government remains absolutely committed to upholding the integrity of Tasmania’s racing industry,” Ms Ogilvie said.

“We take all allegations of integrity and animal welfare very seriously.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor told parliament harness racing and greyhound racing in Tasmania were dominated by the two men.

“Once [Ben] Yole’s neglected horses reach their use-by date, he sends them down the road to [Anthony] Bullock to kill, butcher and feed to his dogs,” she said.

“Such is the Tasmanian racing circle of death.

“Are these images of horses being led to their death, of strung-up carcasses, of butchered bodies and entrails, what you would call ‘an industry that has never been in better shape’?”

The Greens leader wants Victorian authorities to take over from the Office of Racing Integrity until it can be abolished and replaced.

Parliament Question Time, Greens Leader Cassy O'Connor. Picture: Chris Kidd

Premier Jeremy Rockliff scoffed at claims he could not sack Ms Ogilvie because of the Liberals’ narrow hold on power.

“I just find the whole way that Labor approaches their job offensive. The slander, the personal attacks, coming in and many times making up questions to suit their argument,” he said.

“Can I just say that that is absolutely and utterly rubbish. That accusation from Labor. I can rule that out 150,000 per cent.”

The chair of the Legislative Council committee inquiry Tania Rattray rejected suggestions she was impartial because of family links to the racing industry.

The committee will also include former Racing Minister Jane Howlett.