The National Rugby League lifted a year-long betting ban on Holden Cup matches "to allow wagering on the competition's grand final." The "one-off reintroduction of betting on the National Youth Competition" means bookmakers will be allowed to offer markets on the U20 "showpiece" between Parramatta and Manly. League Central "cracked down on a number of exotic betting options offered on NRL matches and outlawed all wagering on underage matches" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 9/25).
Caulfield Cup-winning trainer Ciaron Maher has had his license suspended for six months and been fined A$75,000 ($59,500) after he admitted that he "ought to have known that five horses that he prepared were owned by convicted conman Peter Foster." Maher claimed that he did not know about Foster's involvement in the horses "but admitted he should have asked more questions about the bona fides of them, especially group 1 winner Azkadellia." Maher pleaded guilty to a charge of "conduct prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing" (SMH, 9/25).
All racehorses "are likely to be fitted with a GPS-style tracking device as racing explores the next generation of technology for the sport." British Horseracing Authority CEO Nick Rust said that the implementation of such a "whereabouts" scheme was a "natural evolution for the industry." He stressed that work on the project, "which has yet to be costed, is at an early stage, but could start to be phased in within two years" (LONDON TIMES, 9/25).
