Australian racehorse owner John Singleton "faces a ban from owning racehorses if he refuses to name the friends who told him Tom Waterhouse had tipped them off that the horse More Joyous 'had no chance' in Saturday's All-Aged Stakes," according to Ralston & Roots of THE AGE. Singleton "has refused to disclose the identities of those who told him the bookmaker allegedly received information from his mother Gai Waterhouse about concerns with the highly fancied horse." The tycoon said the friends included an ex-group 1 jockey and ''internationally known figures'' but would not name them unless ''legally bound to." The next hearing into the allegations, which Singleton and the Waterhouses will front, "has now been pushed back from Friday to next Monday to allow the stewards more time to gather evidence." This "will include wagering records from 160 Australian betting operators." When the public hearing resumes, Singleton "could be again asked to name the 'trusted friends' involved." If he refuses this time "he faces punishment under section 175 of the Australian rules of racing for failing to give evidence as directed and runs the risk of being deregistered as an owner" (THE AGE, 4/30).
UNDER SCRUTINY: In Sydney, Gregor MacTaggart reported the Northern Territory Racing Commission Monday confirmed that it would supply Racing New South Wales stewards "with Tom Waterhouse's betting records from the controversial All Aged Stakes." Gambling and licensing services Exec Dir Micheil Brodie said that "the NT Commission would provide any information requested surrounding betting activity for the inquiry" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 4/30).
