Another selfish person puts industry at risk

SELFISH: person, action, or motive lacking consideration for other people; concerned chiefly with one’s own personal profit or pleasure.

SADLY the selfish nature of so many has been prevalent in recent weeks as highlighted by the panic buying of toilet paper.

For whatever reason selfishness comes to the fore too often as people put their own wants first.

That was the case during the weekend when an individual placed the entire industry at risk by ignoring strict regulations put into place to allow harness racing to function during this Coronavirus pandemic.

Working tirelessly to keep the industry in motion Harness Racing Victoria – and each state’s governing body – made a decision to restrict racetrack entry to key personnel.

Essentially only officials, trainers, drivers and required stablehands directly involved with a horse competing at the meeting are permitted to attend.

As such, the public, owners and other licence holders are not allowed into the venues.

Showing no regard for the rules, the person felt the need to sneak into Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night to watch ‘his’ horses.

Once inside he then attempted to make contact with numerous participants, including Trainers’ and Drivers’ Association President Lance Justice who was quick to condemn the man’s actions.

Given the pacers in question are in the person’s partner’s name he is not even the registered owner!

The man was fined $500 for his breach – a punishment widely criticised as being too lenient given the circumstances.

Just three days after the breach – it has happened again.

At Tabcorp Park Melton this afternoon a person caught scaling a fence just to watch the trials!

Witnesses have stated the person was denied access at the entry gate so made a decision to scale the fence and was caught halfway across.

It’s been reported the owner was fined.