Betfair Sting!
 

http://www.smh.com.au/news/horserac...1701690167.html

I suspect this bombshell will dag about for some considerable time.

'Hayson was informed he was in breach of a part of racing rule 175b which states: "No owner who has a horse engaged in any race in Australia shall place, or have placed on his behalf, a transaction with a betting exchange on any horse in such race."'

What a weird rule. Presumably owners can effectively lay their horse by backing opponents with bookmakers and TABs, but they can't back their runner on Betfair - or have any Betfair bets whatsoever in that race!

It appears that the commission agent volunteered the Betfair transaction to stewards. Otherwise there would have been no charge.

Meanwhile the dog sting duo keep on receiving very curious press.

Apparently if you indulge in the extremely commonplace practice of placing big bets late, then you have "manipulated the betting pools".

The enquiry has now completed with Hayson earning a reprimand.

At least he and many other owners are now aware of this rule so we can now sleep comfortably knowing we won't be competing against smart money on Betfair.