A Down Under reinsman has been slapped with an 18-month suspension for wagering on other horses he was driving against.
Simon Lawson, pictured in the sulky
According to an article by the New Zealand Herald, South Auckland horseman Simon Lawson has also been fined $8,000. Although he has been banned from the sulky for some time, he will still be able to train his stable while he serves his driving suspension.
The New Zealand Herald piece states that Lawson has admitted to wagering on an opposing horse in two races in which he was driving in. Lawson’s horses finished off the board in each of the races, but the subsequent investigation found no proof of a lack-of-effort drive by Lawson or questionable wagering patterns on the races in question.
A follow-up article by The Informant states that the Racing Integrity Unit has appealed the ruling, as it had sought a three-year disqualification, not merely a suspension.
(With files from the New Zealand Herald and The Informant)
Should be given longer.
Should be given longer.
Good news, sentence really
Good news, sentence really not long enough. The judges at all of the standardbred horse racing tracks should take a look at the lack of effort given by some of the drivers. I sit at home and watch and wager on races from U.S. and Canada, and on any given night I can pick out drivers that do not seem to always try, especially with a new horse, and it seems to be always the same drivers. This is the most wonderful business in the world. This business employs thousands of people who due to unforeseen circumstances and conditions did not get to college or university and are now working with the horses, and they work hard, 7 days a week.They cannot all be drivers.Some, though, are ruining the business, it's time to wake up.
Hello Jim, ...but Pete Rose
Hello Jim,
...but Pete Rose only bet on himself and his own team.
Therefore, I agree 18 months is not enough!
This casts a dark shadow on the integrity of racing in New Zealand.
He deserves the same
He deserves the same punishment that was handed out to Pete Rose.
Not long enough.
Not long enough.