Mug punters
Announcement posted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia 22 Feb 2019
Dear Editor,
How much do punters know about the industry that takes their money? The racing industry seems to think Australians are mug punters – gullible and easily swindled.
In addition to the charges laid recently against horse racing trainer Ben Currie for using an electrical shocking device, there was another charge that didn't get much news coverage:
"Making dishonest statements in not disclosing to potential buyers that Rock Spark bled at Gatton on 6 April 2017."
The law takes a dim view of misleading statements during sales transactions, but what about the gamblers? If you are a punter, you can bet (and this bet you'll win) that there are things about the horse you are betting on that you didn't know, and that might have changed your decision. One of many such concealed details is the fact that the horse may have bled after his or her last race.
Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage is a very common condition among racehorses. It causes bleeding into the lungs and airways, usually as a result of burst capillaries. Researchers at the University of Melbourne have shown that 56 percent of racehorses have blood in their windpipes, and 90 percent have blood deeper in their lungs. But only 1 percent show outward signs of bleeding, so it is easy to conceal.
Punters should legally be able to access essential veterinary information about injuries, bleeding or other issues, otherwise it is probably fair to say you are being denied all the facts necessary to make a reasonable bet. But here's a much better bet - don't put your hard-earned cash into cruelty: stay away from tracks and betting venues.
Mimi Bekhechi
Campaigns Consultant,
PETA Australia
PO Box 20308 World Square
Sydney, NSW, 2002
(08) 8556-5828
mimib@peta.org.au
How much do punters know about the industry that takes their money? The racing industry seems to think Australians are mug punters – gullible and easily swindled.
In addition to the charges laid recently against horse racing trainer Ben Currie for using an electrical shocking device, there was another charge that didn't get much news coverage:
"Making dishonest statements in not disclosing to potential buyers that Rock Spark bled at Gatton on 6 April 2017."
The law takes a dim view of misleading statements during sales transactions, but what about the gamblers? If you are a punter, you can bet (and this bet you'll win) that there are things about the horse you are betting on that you didn't know, and that might have changed your decision. One of many such concealed details is the fact that the horse may have bled after his or her last race.
Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage is a very common condition among racehorses. It causes bleeding into the lungs and airways, usually as a result of burst capillaries. Researchers at the University of Melbourne have shown that 56 percent of racehorses have blood in their windpipes, and 90 percent have blood deeper in their lungs. But only 1 percent show outward signs of bleeding, so it is easy to conceal.
Punters should legally be able to access essential veterinary information about injuries, bleeding or other issues, otherwise it is probably fair to say you are being denied all the facts necessary to make a reasonable bet. But here's a much better bet - don't put your hard-earned cash into cruelty: stay away from tracks and betting venues.
Mimi Bekhechi
Campaigns Consultant,
PETA Australia
PO Box 20308 World Square
Sydney, NSW, 2002
(08) 8556-5828
mimib@peta.org.au