What is Victoria’s new Racing Integrity Commissioner up to?
Terrie Benfield has only been in the job since May this year after Sean Carroll left for a similar position in Tasmania of all places.
But will one of her first acts be investigating the cut and thrust of Victorian racing?
Betsy has been told that Benfield has been making discreet enquiries regarding ‘’undue influence’’ in Victorian racing. Whatever that means.
Multiple sources have told Betsy about the meetings.
We’re told while there’s no official investigation, Benfield has held discussions – and even initiated conversations – with several people, including at club level.
What does that mean? Who is she investigating? Who made a complaint? And why?
We asked Benfield of course, who didn’t provide much, if any, clarity.
“In the interests of supporting the integrity and confidentiality of Commissioner processes, the Commissioner does not comment on the existence or non-existence of complaints, meetings, investigations or the like,” her office told Betsy.
Industry speculation that the commissioner has referred some of those complaints to Racing Victoria’s own integrity team is incorrect, Betsy understands.
RV declined to comment.
“It is not our intention to comment on our engagements with the Integrity Commissioner and what information we may or may not receive from the Commissioner’s office,’’ it told Betsy in a statement.
Betsy has not seen the complaints nor suggests they are true.
As is inevitable in racing, there seems to be a few parties who feel aggrieved with their treatment, including at club level too.
But only time will tell whether that is worthy of Benfield’s time.
