Racing Victoria boss Rob Hines expects charges to be laid by Victoria, Australia Police in relation to race-fixing, but the state's racing body may stand "alleged offenders down if legal advice supports such action," according to Cormick & Stewart of THE AUSTRALIAN. Hines said that his chief integrity officers "had been briefed about the involvement of licensed persons and others in corrupt practices." Integrity Services Manager Dayle Brown and Chief Steward Terry Bailey have been briefed by police, who discovered evidence of race-fixing while investigating last year's murder of horse racing trainer Les Samba. Hines said, "My understanding is there is sufficient evidence of race-fixing that charges of conspiracy or fraud can be laid." Racing Victoria is looking for legal advice relating to "its power to stand down licensed persons linked to the investigation ahead of any charges being laid." The possibility of a systemic corruption in Victoria's racing industry "will be examined as part of a major investigation into allegations of race-fixing." The inquiry will consider "the need for new legislation to give racing authorities more teeth and allow closer cooperation with police" in criminal investigations (THE AUSTRALIAN, 8/17).
