RACING Australia has congratulated the Federal Government for decisive action taken to address the growing integrity risks to racing posed by illegal offshore bookmakers.
The Federal Government announced on Thursday, April 28 that stronger consumer protections would be the centrepiece of its response to the O'Farrell Review into Illegal Offshore Wagering commissioned last September. The Government has accepted 18 of the 19 recommendations in full or in principle.
The Review estimates that between $64 million and $400 million is gambled with illegal offshore providers resulting in lost revenue, weaker consumer protection and heightened sports integrity concerns.
Federal Minister for Human Resources Alan Tudge said protections would include:
- establishment of a national self-exclusion register;
- a voluntary pre-commitment scheme;
- better information for individuals about their gambling spend; and
- a ban on online wagering companies offering lines of credit.
Minister Tudge said: "Many Australians love to gamble, but we want to make sure there are sensible protections in place. The online environment has the potential for people to get themselves into serious trouble. We expect online wagering providers to meet community expectations. The tougher laws will seriously disrupt the illegal offshore providers from acting unscrupulously or targeting vulnerable Australians."
Consultation on complex issues
SPEAKING on behalf of Australia’s eight State and Territory Principal Racing Authorities, Racing Australia chairman John Messara said the Federal Government and Minister Alan Tudge had consulted and considered the many complex issues arising from the O’Farrell Report in the most comprehensive way since the Interactive Gambling Act was enacted in 2001.
“The legislative measures proposed by the Government are proportionate to the threat and importantly provide security to Australian consumers who are often unable to distinguish between unregulated Asian operators and regulated operators. Integrity is the foundation of public and punter confidence in the industry and the Government’s actions safeguard it in the ever evolving online world.
“The Racing Industry looks forward to working with the Government in coming months to implement these reforms. This announcement will give racing’s 200,000 employees greater confidence in the sustainability of their industry into the future” Mr Messara said.
As easy as 1-2-3 – Australian-breds dominate Hong Kong
COOLMORE'S former dual champion Australian sire Encosta De Lago celebrated an elite success when outstanding Australian-bred 5YO gelding Chautauqua posted a brilliant last-to-first win for Sydney trainers John, Wayne and Michael Hawkes in the Group 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) at Hong Kong’s Sha Tin trace track on Sunday, May 1.
Chautauqua showed why he is considered the pre-eminent sprinter in the world when registering his fifth top-flight success, and his first international triumph. The grey gelding boosted his record to 12 wins (five Group 1s) and eight placings (including three Group 1s) from 22 starts for $6,476,743 earnings.
It was an Australian-bred trifecta with Hong Kong-based geldings Lucky Bubbles (Sebring/Bubble Below) and Strathmore (Fastnet Rock/Our Egyptian Raine) second and third respectively. Queensland-bred champion Buffering, who shared the lead to the 300m before fading badly to finish last, was later found to lame in the off-fore fetlock. Trainer Robert Heathcote said a subsequent veterinary examination had cleared 8YO Buffering of any serious injury and there every possibility he could race on.
Chautauqua will not travel to England for the Royal Ascot carnival in June. The sprinter was expected to pursue the US$1 million bonus on offer for any horse that can win three legs of the Global Sprint Challenge in three different jurisdictions by targeting either the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes or Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes, but connections have decided, instead, to bring him home to prepare for the spring.
Passed in for $300,000 at the 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Chautauqua is the second stakes winner from Queensland-bred dual Group 1 QTC Sires' Produce Stakes and TJ Smith Classic winner Lovely Jubly, who has also produced Group 3 SAJC Breeders' Stakes winning filly London Lolly.
MM national catalogues online
CATALOGUES for the Magic Millions National Weanling and Broodmare Sales are now online.
The National Weanling Sale, to be held on May 29 and 30, has attracted 400 lots by 86 individual sires including 16 first season stallions.
Highlights of the weanling catalogue include the Bell View Park Stud Unreserved Dispersal Sale and the Bell River Thoroughbred Dispersal Sale. Kambula Stud will again offer their entire sale bound crop on the Gold Coast.
The National Broodmare Sale, to be held from June 1 to 5, currently boasts a catalogue of 827 lots including 168 stakes performed fillies or mares as well as a further 125 city winners. More than half of the catalogued lots are at second pregnancy or younger.
To view the online catalogues visit www.magicmillions.com.au.They can also be downloaded via the Equineline iPad app.
