Racetrack Ralphy’s ramblings

In the AFL, the Kangaroos’ team-of-the-century coach Denis Pagan used to be fond of a saying that could be euphemistically translated as “don’t make my back damp and tell me it’s raining”.

One was reminded of that saying on seeing charges following EPO allegations against trainers Bevan and Richard Laming, released by Racing Victoria Limited at 4:43pm last Friday.

If that isn’t the equivalent of the government raising taxes on Christmas Eve, it’s a remarkable coincidence, and one can’t help but take a very cynical view of this situation. In this case, a serious allegation that first came to light in June – yes, five months ago – did not become an official charge until the spotlight of the spring racing carnival had well and truly been dimmed.

If the decision to delay the announcement until after Flemington’s carnival was a deliberate ploy by RVL, then it is a PR strategy as outdated as Swatch watches, skinny ties & non-Movember moustaches. It also flies in the face of the pro-active media policy of RVL’s chief steward Terry Bailey.

Bailey has almost made it a one-man crusade for punters to be hand-delivered useful information such as tactical changes and track conditions, and is available to media wanting information and clarification of situations.

Let’s spell it out for those missing the point:

PR 101 in big business is to shout bad news from the rooftops. With modern communication meaning that as soon as news is released, “everyone” has instant access to an internet talkback forum, blog or facebook site to vent their opinions, so trying to hide or bury a significant story only creates an opportunity for untruths, conspiracy theorists and exaggerations to fester.
• When something does go wrong – as it can and will – have all your ducks in a row and then be proactive and available, and invite anyone and everyone to ask you anything and everything about whatever controversy sees the media on your doorstep.
• Don’t “play favourites” in your release of non-positive news, as those who missed out on the story will consider it a gift-wrapped invitation to accentuate any negatives.

As an example, sports fans south of the Murray can compare the amateurish, patronising and “deny, deny, deny” response of the AFL when racism emerged as a serious problem in its sport in the mid-1990s to the “take two” response as a pro-active community leader in stamping out such disgraceful behavior in participants and fans alike.

The first was “head-in-the-sand” stuff which didn’t do anyone any favours at any level, while the subsequent actions went a long way towards the AFL being seen as Australia’s leading professional sporting organisation. (Which it is.)

Is it a long bow to compare the two? Hardly.

Horse racing has a significant percentage of the population that thinks it’s “dodgy” and almost unworthy of being seen as the elite mainstream sport and industry that it is, complete with extensive probity checks and balances throughout every aspect of its existence.

I believe that when one of these checks and balances uncovers a situation that leads to the laying of a serious charge, the intensity of the blanket media coverage that the spring racing carnival draws in would be an ideal opportunity to let the once-a-year group ask, listen and learn about how horse racing’s vigilance system works, especially in areas such as the extensive pre- and post-race drug testing procedures or the provision of security guards for Group 1 gallopers.

Part of Bailey’s response to those queries could include how proactive and aggressive stewards are in fighting a potential problem such as this head-on and he could have used the forum to announce the fact-finding overseas mission he is now on.

Even if we take the charitable line and accept that there was no opportunity to release news of the charge before 4:43 on a quiet post-spring Friday afternoon, there should have been well-briefed key players made available to explain the situation to all media.

A brief e-mail release is fine for the news about tactical riding changes or late scratchings, but a situation such as this deserved a more thorough approach.

Addendum:

Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) detected the prohibited substance as human erythropoietin (EPO), darbepoetin alfa during the screening of out-of-competition blood samples taken from Benelli on June 11 and July 2 and War Dancer on June 11, both horses trained by the partnership of Bevan and Richard Laming, of Cranbourne.

The following charges under the Australian Rules of Racing have been?issued:

(1) AR 175(h)(i) – 3 charges

The Committee of any Club or the Stewards may penalise:?…?(h) Any person who administers, or causes to be administered, to a horse any?prohibited substance:?(i) for the purpose of affecting the performance or behaviour of a horse in?a race or of preventing its starting in a race…

(2) AR 177B – 3 charges

(1) When a sample taken at any time from a horse being trained by a licensed?trainer has detected in it any prohibited substance specified in sub]rule (2), the?trainer and any other person who was in charge of such horse at the relevant?time may be punished unless he satisfies the Stewards that he had taken all?proper precautions to prevent the administration of such prohibited substance.?(2) For the purposes of sub]rule (1), the following substances are specified as?prohibited substances:?(a) human erythropoietin, darbepoetin alfa

AR 80E – 4 charges

(1) Any person commits an offence if he has in his possession or on his premises any substance or preparation that has not been registered or labelled, or prescribed,?dispensed or obtained, in compliance with the relevant State or Commonwealth?legislation.

These charges will be heard before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary?Board at a date to be fixed.