HKJC PURSUING OPTIONS ON MUNCE RULING

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has confirmed it will take a "measured and step-by-step approach" to renewing pressure on Racing NSW to uphold jockey Chris Munce's 30-month ban from racing.

Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges justifiably has real concerns over the fallout of the decision by Racing NSW to set aside a ruling by Hong Kong Jockey Club Stewards who disqualified Munce for a period of thirty months. Munce’s disqualification was due to end in September 2009.

Engelbrecht-Bresges initially reacted to the Racing NSW decision by saying it had the potential “to undermine the integrity of horse racing internationally”, and that the decision "is disrespectful of the core values of due process" and "threatens the relationship between Australia and Hong Kong".

A recent article in the South China Morning Post, written by leading racing writer Alan Aitken, clearly relates the stance of the HKJC and goes into some detail about its misgivings and the way they plan to move forward with the matter.

The views expressed are well worth noting as they underline the seriousness of the current situation facing Australian racing. The bulk of that article is repeated here for those who want to glean a better understanding of what is involved in the Munce issue.

Aitken writes: The Jockey Club will not withdraw licences of Australian riders in Hong Kong, but there will be questions over future licensees, and the Global Sprint Challenge, Asian Mile Challenge and future commingling of bets may be affected’.

“The jockeys should not be punished for something they have not done, but our concern is that, if there is a breach of the rules, will we again face the situation that Australian authorities will please themselves about whether penalties are upheld?” Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges asked.

“As for series racing and commingling, we have to ask how can we co-operate if there is no sense of co-operation on both sides?”

“We want to take a measured and step-by-step approach and the first thing will be to request reciprocation by other licensing bodies within Australia," he said.

“Secondly, we will ask for clarification from the Australian Racing Board, a signatory to Article 10, on the claim that Racing NSW is not a signatory to the agreement. If ARB does not speak for all racing jurisdictions there, then there is no agreement at all.”

He said the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the peak world authority, had been briefed, as have all members of the executive committee of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), of which Engelbrecht-Bresges is chairman.

“Other ARF jurisdictions will be asked to endorse the disqualification and we will formulate where we go after that,” he said. “If they endorse the ban, this will be communicated to Racing NSW. This reciprocity of penalties across jurisdictions is a cornerstone of the integrity of horse racing. If you look at the wording of Article 10, there is no discretion. If we cannot establish this then the whole international agreement goes back to zero. What will happen if others take the same attitude?”

Engelbrecht-Bresges pointed out the actions of Racing NSW came after Munce had pleaded guilty to all charges then waived his right to appeal.

“By pleading guilty and then not appealing, Munce has accepted his guilt and also the penalty," he said. "Racing NSW has not respected the judicial process and, in light of remarks by its chief executive, even before the stewards' hearing was concluded, there is the perception that minds were made up.”

So now there can be no misunderstanding on what the perspective the HKJC has on this matter.

While I am quoting from other sources, perhaps a fitting, final word on the subject is the opinion of former AJC and Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Steward John Schreck, who was quoted at length in the Sydney Morning Herald. Here are a few extracts of what Schreck had to say.

“The haste exhibited by Racing NSW in its desire to allow disqualified jockey Chris Munce back on to racetracks was embarrassing and I’m afraid will have far-reaching consequences.”

“Racing NSW did not even wait to have at least a cursory look at the transcript of proceedings before HKJC stewards. The proceedings had not been typed up when Munce appeared before whomever he fronted at Racing NSW.”

“The advantages of reciprocity in racing are apparent to anyone who stops to consider the issue. Reciprocity is a consensus-type situation. I believe it is a small step on the way to reaching a common standard in disciplinary matters.”

“Surely it is imperative we establish and enforce integrity in racing, no matter how unpalatable it may be at times. It includes making sure rules are honoured by other racing authorities. Reciprocity is simply a matter of having faith in fellow authorities and giving credit to their decisions. It is sad Racing NSW has no faith in judicial decisions made by the HKJC.”

“International uniformity of approach to the control and supervision of racing is influenced by international articles on breeding and racing. These articles are agreed to each year by racing nations who attend a conference of International Horse Racing Authorities. Most, but not all, racing authorities provide for the adoption and implementation of racing penalties imposed by other nations.
The Australian Racing Board represents this country at the conference. It signed up to reciprocity on behalf of state jurisdictions. I guess from here on each state will have to be represented. What then is the future of the Australian Racing Board?”