Race Disgrace

I like to think I’m a realist.


And the benefit of being of realist is having the ability to recognise that sometimes, tough decisions need to be made.


In the corporate world, such decisions are made on a daily basis - especially in the current economic climate. They are strategic business decisions and ones which can often drastically affect the future outcomes of an organisation.


Sometimes the decision itself is to do nothing. To not succumb to pressure or opinion and change that policy, product or directive. And they are justified in the interest of self preservation.


The decision by Racing Victoria to allow entry into the Spring Carnival to two horses owned by Chechnyan President Ramzan Kadyrov - despite his horrific human rights record - is not one of them.


Greens Senator Bob Brown brought the issue to light last week, labelling Kadyrov a ‘blood-stained dictator’ and calling on RV to reject his two horses, Mourilyan and Bankable.


And rightly so.


From all credible reports, Kadyrov is a man who having forced his way into power in Chechnya, has perpetuated a culture of fear, death and lawlessness of the highest order. He runs a private army, the Kadyrovites (is this not the ultimate narcissist??), who the Human Rights Commission believe, beyond any doubt, are responsible for hundreds of deaths and disappearances, as well as major crime and corruption rackets. Given the fact that these so-called Kadyrovites are under direction from Kadyrov himself, how can the blood on his hands be disputed?


I’m sorry… but are we doing this now? Are we happy to pretend that our treasured national event is all champagne and strawberries, by rolling out the welcome mat to horses that have clearly been bought with blood money?


The official party line from RV's chief steward Terry Bailey, is that the organisation is “powerless” to stop Mourilyan and Bankable from entering. This is based on the fact that as Kadyrov technically doesn’t have any criminal convictions, RV has “no reason to stop them coming”.


Is Bailey for real? How many reasons does he need?? That justification might apply to some of the shady connections which no doubt exist in racing. And I will concede that Racing Victoria are - to an extent - powerless in regards to individuals who carry no convictions within Australia. But we are talking about an international war criminal, who is suspected of countless human rights violations and has amassed his fortune by extorting precious natural reserves from his own country.


It’s about time certain people admitted that there are bigger issues at stake than gate attendances at Spring Carnival.


I will be boycotting betting on Mourilyan and Bankable and encourage others to do the same. If other morally bankrupt punters still want to back them... let it be on their conscience.