Victorian racing shows its underbelly after chief steward shot at
THERE are fears that a turf war within the racing industry could arise after Victorian chief steward Terry Bailey’s house was shot at on Sunday night.
Racing corruption-fighters now fear their enemies are wagering war against them on the eve of the Melbourne Cup carnival.
According to reports, a bikie staked out the house of a senior racing investigator a week before gunfire wreaked havoc on the house of his boss, chief steward Terry Bailey.
Bailey was relaxing with his wife and teenage daughters in the back yard when bullets from a semi-automatic gun ripped through the front door.
Police were then told that about a week earlier, a bikie wearing gang colours rode past the home of Racing Victoria head of integrity Dayle Brown.
The Victoria Police armed crime squad is investigating the shooting attack on Bailey, whilst security has been placed at the homes of both Bailey and Brown.
Bailey ran from his property with a baseball bat in hand during the scenes of the shooting aftermath.
“I was pretty angry. There’s no need for that – it’s below the belt,” Bailey said.
Bailey was asked if he thought the shooting was related to the horse racing industry.
“I don’t have any other interests in life so I presume this is the common denominator. It’s a job we’re in and we’ve had similar incidents over the years. We’re accustomed to it.”
Bailey has said he will continue his work amidst the frightening situation, claiming that there is nothing he can do about it.
“If they want to find you, they’ll find you,” Bailey said.
“There are 900 trainers in Victoria, a lot of people relying on us to make sure the place is run on a level playing field and we’ll keep doing that.
“I’m not going to walk away from that. The show must go on.”
Bailey has been at the forefront of threats for the majority of his career, in particular with former jockey Danny Nikolic.
Nikolic was banned for threatening Bailey and his family. He has since appealed Racing Victoria’s decision to reject his application for a rider’s licence.
Nikolic did not return calls and his lawyer declined to comment.
Bailey’s neighbour Paul Evans said the flyscreen door was “ripped to shreds” and “there were bullet shells on the ground outside the door”.
“Someone has walked right up to the front door,” Evans said.
“It was a lot louder than firecrackers, a lot louder.”
Colleagues of Terry Bailey are standing by their boss, describing the attack as “appalling”, but they said Bailey was “one tough cookie” who would bounce back.
“The attack on Terry Bailey’s house is a great concern to the racing industry,” Racing Minister Martin Pakula said.
Some of racing’s personalities spoke out to support Bailey through this tough time.
“Terry Bailey is a very good man and he is doing his job,” champion trainer Gai Waterhouse said.
“He should be allowed to get on and do it, and not be driven mad by some idiot wanting to shoot at his home and shoot at him. It’s terrible.”
Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy said the act upon Bailey was “terribly low…un-Australian act.”
“It’s a very low point when an official is subjected to that kind of criminal activity, particularly as it involves his family,” Murrihy said.
“Stewards make decisions that impact on people’s lives. They are well aware of that.
“They also cross paths of nefarious people. But something like this is utterly abhorrent. This is totally criminal and unacceptable.”
Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna said he was “shocked and appalled” by the actions of last Sunday.
“It is an affront to integrity in racing and will probably only serve to strengthen the resolve of investigators,” he said.”
Dayle Brown plans to stand beside Bailey during the Melbourne Cup carnival which kicks off this Saturday at Flemington.
“Nothing has changed for Terry and I,” Brown said.
“We’ll keep investigating the racing industry without fear or favour.”