Who was the bookmaker? Industry unfairly tarnished by allegations
There is no hiding it – it was a week of messy headlines for wagering and the industries that rely on it to exist.
The Senate inquiry into the Federal Government’s gambling reforms was always going to produce some tough moments from a panel, some of whom appear to have little time for wagering, but few envisaged the wild allegations that would follow.
Those from Luke Bateman were no doubt the most damaging – claims he was offered bags of drugs as part of one wagering operator’s bid to keep him punting with them.
But which one? Strong rumours persist, and it is not believed to be one of the big players, but why not use the forum, equipped with parliamentary privilege, to name and shame?
Instead, the wagering operators that actually chose to attend the inquiry and participate on Tuesday were unfairly forced to deny it was them [as many others have had to do so], without even being alleged they had done anything wrong. An entirely avoidable scenario.
The entire industry received a black eye from the troubling accusations. Those asking the questions should have probed further.
Both representatives from TAB and Sportsbet did well to prosecute their positions, often under aggressive questioning – as did racing’s representatives on Monday – namely acting Racing NSW CEO Graeme Hinton and Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison.
Both held their own under tough questioning and, in doing so, advanced the cause of racing. Crucially, they both articulated the economic importance of racing.
It is understood some in the government were encouraging both racing bodies and the bigger bookmakers to participate this week.
Some of the members of the inquiry included Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young [whose party is on the record that they’d love to see racing shut] and former sporting star turned independent senator David Pocock.
Racing.com also came up in Pocock’s questioning of wagering representatives.
The sporting codes were pilloried by some senators for not attending. When asked why the NRL didn’t attend, acting CEO for the code [who is on long service leave from racing] Peter V’Landys gave this blunt assessment.
“As some of the members on the committee are publicity-seeking extremists, it’s a waste of time.”
“They just ignore facts and base all their outcomes on ideology. Their main aim is to run everyone’s lives. What’s more disturbing is they get into this power with a handful of votes.”
Susie’s Cox Plate tale continues
It was only recently racing’s powerful got into a tailspin over the attempted purchase of A Boy Named Susie from the UK for a cool $6 million.
The promising 3-year-old was supposedly set to be purchased by Ciaron Maher, with a number of people lined up to buy shares. The deal fell over late, after connections inspected the CT scans. The horse remains in the care of Donnacha O’Brien.
The dream for those looking at importing the promising galloper was to have a crack at the Cox Plate before a likely Melbourne Cup bid. Now the scans may rule out a Cup, but we learnt the horse is officially nominated for the Cox Plate.
He was the first on the list released by the Moonee Valley Race club on Tuesday, one of 103 listed to take out one of the world’s great races.
Numbers were slightly down on last year, a slight surprise given some of the commentary that we may see a larger field in 2026 because it’s being run at Flemington, which may suit a larger pool of horses given its long home straight.
But as always, the top quality is undoubtedly there.
It promises to be an historic day, its new but temporary home base aside.
Chris Waller is going for his 7th Cox Plate – which would equal the record held by legend Tommy Smith. Given the weapons that Waller holds – from Aeliana to Autumn Boy – you wouldn’t rule him out.
The great Melbourne Cup debate… all 18 metres of it
Dr Turf, also known as John Rothfield, is a friend of Betsy.
He even wrote a weekly column before deciding it was time for a break [regular golf and doing a podcast with his good mate Kevin Bartlett must be exhausting].
But in all seriousness, he has had a long and successful media career and remains a significant shareholder in SEN.
Now Dr Turf isn’t shy of providing an opinion, some of which we’ve shared, many of them entertaining.
He is usually the most animated when it comes to quality racing content, often crying out for more that attracts fans to the sport. He likes fun and easy to consume content, nothing to speaks to the racing bubble and has been highly critical of racing.com at times.
Which is why we were shocked to watch this clip from his entertaining podcast, The Bald and the Beautiful.
The topic of choice?
Whether the Melbourne Cup should be 3200m or two miles – which equates to 3218m.
A whopping 18 metres! Bring on the spring.
The Melbourne Cup should go back to being 2 miles. Who’s with me ? pic.twitter.com/BRBm4kB9mZ
— Docturf (@docturf) July 30, 2026
Prayers needed in drug saga
Victorian trainer Matt Brown is the latest to be fined for having a banned drug, Formestane, in one of his runners.
He is one of 13 trainers so far fined for presenting their horse with Formestane in their system – despite every possibility the substance is naturally produced, not administered either deliberately [something Racing Victoria once claimed was possible] or accidentally.
Brown received a $6,000 fine from Stewards, with $3,000 suspended ‘’for 12 months pending no further relevant offences during that time’’.
As one trainer pointed out to Betsy, Brown could be in the hands of the racing gods and should pray that one of his horses doesn’t naturally produce the substance which would see him pay the remainder of the fine despite it being entirely possible he is innocent.
Racing Victoria, while fining trainers, is also paying for an international study that could prove the same trainers could be innocent by looking at whether Formestane is naturally produced.
I get these things can be complicated, but the interim solution really does look ridiculously simple.
ATA boss backs changes to barrier draw
Australian Trainers’ Association president Troy Corstens has thrown his support of a proposal that would see barriers allocated before final acceptances.
His comments come as Queensland Racing is considering the move to reduce the common problem of bulk scratchings.
Corstens told Racenet the system would give trainers greater certainty and more flexibility when deciding whether to run their horses.
“I think the system that Queensland is looking at and is already used in WA needs to be rolled out nationally,” Corstens said
“What’s the negative about it, I don’t see there one?
“It is full of merit.
“If you know you are going to draw the outside, it saves you from accepting and then having to scratch.
“I think it’s fantastic that Racing Queensland are looking into it and investigating it.
“I think it is just another tool that we can use, like progressive acceptances which we use currently in Victoria and which Queensland will implement as well.”
Makes sense.
A good point
Flemington (Saturday) is currently a Good 4.
Sandown (Sunday) is currently a Heavy 10.
Don’t see that often 🤨
— Racing Previews (@Racing_Previews) July 30, 2026
