G'day there LEXI, and my old mate BELLY...

Dear LEXI...

Many thanks for those two Links you kindly sent me, I do appreciate them. Police are ALWAYS probing these alleged 'links', that organised crime and Horse Racing have, and continue to maintain. I was involved in several 'unsuccessful' inquiries involving the 'Collection' procedures, of debts between one party, owed to another, as a result of unsuccessful wagering ?

The 'principal' of the debt was one issue. It was the huge 'interest' incurred (circa; between 500% to 800% or more) that caused the original debt to become almost beyond repayment - unless of course it was substituted by another 'acceptable consideration' ? This whole business is rotten LEXI.

BELLY...

How are you old friend ? Not very rich I suppose, given your wager's were limited to only 6d each way ! Though, Neville Selward, from memory, was a pretty good Hoop, but I can't speak with any authority I must admit. Indeed, I've spent many an enjoyable night, at Harold Park, (on duty) and generally enjoyed the night, but only with Harness Racing, not so much with the Dogs.

From my own inquiries, most 'organised' crime figures are associated with the 'gallops', rather than that of Harness Racing. Further, from my own evidence, there's no component of the Racing Industry, that has not proved vulnerable to the tentacles of organised crime.

Though I have no experiential evidence myself, but it's my belief BELLY, that ALL sport in this country, that attracts any form of serious gambling, on 'outcomes' is in any way resistant to, or immune from, the unlawful intrusions and meddling from criminal influences. And that's my view only, and it includes particularly, the Olympic Games !

Dear o sung wu,

It's so good to hear you back to your old self once again.
I'm sending you a big hug.

Horse racing like anything may have its share of corruption
but I've got to admit that I thoroughly enjoy the Melbourne
Cup. It's the only time that I indulge in betting. I love
the atmosphere, the fashions, everything about the cup. And
of course the thrill of winning a place, let alone the thrill
of picking the winner.

I grew up near a riding school - and to this day I still have
an affinity with horses.
They're beautiful animals.
I would love to live on a farm with horses, and
cows, and pigs, and a few chickens, and a veggie garden,
and...

Ah well, perhaps one day when I retire.

They are not mutually exclusive. Horse racing could be both the sport of kings and the business of rogues. In fact many kings have been rogues and villains.

Good one, DAVID F !

Indeed, there've been many an English Monarch who've been out n' out Rogues. Some, albeit dedicated rogues, were quite good Kings too apparently ? viz. Henry Vlll was a pretty good Monarch, but he was, nevertheless a real rogue ?

LEXI, thank you so much for that BIG HUG, I very much appreciate it. I don't believe there's an Aussie who doesn't have a bit of a 'flutter', or enters a sweep during Melbourne Cup week ! It seems the thing to do, doesn't it ? It's all an important part of our precious Australian culture really ? As far as being lucky, I've not had much success, but my wife won her sweep, about sixteen or seventeen years back !

I'd also go as far to say, there'd not be a single Aussie person, who deep down, would deny they harboured a very special place within, for those stunningly beautiful thoroughbred horses !

They can evoke a really strong emotional attachment, when you have the rare opportunity to be with them close-up ! Even that peculiar, equine smell they exude while sweating after an exercise session, is not at all unpleasant or disagreeable ? Their massive size, together with their considerable weight makes one realise how powerful these stunningly prepossessing creatures are !

Gee LEXI, you're getting me all 'sloppy' and 'mushy' with all this sentimental chat, about our admissions of love, for horses ! Oh well, so be it then.

Thank you everyone for your contributions to this Topic, I appreciate it very much indeed.

o sung wo the bet came from my pocket money, 2 shillings at age 5 or 6.
Both trots and dogs have seen race fixing , done by stewards! even top man in the dogs.
It remains true , history shows us, money brings crime.
Yet I did enjoy my racing days, and nights, like all gamblers thinking I could pick the one running on its merits.
My big wins came from not thousands invested but a few hundred.
I once without even looking at the form, had $50 each way a Newcastle trained horse, because its trainer tried always, it won, first start back from a spell and paid 73 dollars for every one.
Such wins often turn casual punters in to big ones, wrongly thinking they can do it often.

Unfortunately many have an addiction to the apostrophe and put it where it doesn't belong. The Sport of King's is an example.