Racing New South Wales CEO Peter V'landys "has warned that any person directed by stewards to attend Monday's More Joyous inquiry who doesn't could be warned off," according to Chris Roots of THE AGE. V'landys said, ''The integrity of racing is much more important than any individual. There is a reason why people have been asked to attend and we would expect to be there.'' A "stoush between John Singleton and Gai Waterhouse following More Joyous' failure in the All Aged Stakes has widened to include racing identities and a rugby league immortal." There is little doubt Waterhouse "could face a charge for not informing stewards More Joyous was given an antibiotic two days before the race, which was part of evidence given at the initial inquiry." Singleton "could face a charge of bringing racing into dispute given the public nature of his outburst on the Channel Seven and TVN broadcasts" (THE AGE, 5/6).
GOING FORWARD: In Melbourne, Adam Shand reported the inquiry "will go ahead despite the likely absence of ex-jockey Allan Robinson, rugby league great Andrew Johns and mega punter Eddie Hayson." Robinson confirmed that "he would not be attending the inquiry" while Johns and Hayson said that "they will be no-shows." Lawyer Chris Murphy said that "Racing NSW was not able to compel the attendance of non-licensed people at inquiries and could face its own legal action if it tried to punish the trio" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 5/6). Also in Melbourne, Brendan Cormick wrote Racing Victoria's Integrity Services Department "has commenced a robust investigation into peptides being obtained by a licensed thoroughbred trainer." Integrity Services Exec GM Dayle Brown "was limited in what he could disclose, but did confirm RV was given information that sparked a current investigation." Brown said, "We have acted upon intelligence received, but I cannot say where that came from at this time" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 5/6).
