League legend turned commentator Andrew Johns and jockey turned Newcastle councillor Allan Robinson have been embroiled in the racing scandal surrounding the Waterhouse’s and John Singleton.
Johns has confirmed he had an ‘off camera’ discussion with bookmaker Tom Waterhouse, who revealed he didn’t fancy his mother’s horse More Joyous.
The poor run of the star mare led owner Singleton to sack his long-time trainer, Gai, and told stewards afterwards he was unimpressed Tom knew about a problem with More Joyous before he did.
“As is the usual practice before matches, Tom and I engaged in some light-hearted discussions concerning rugby league and racing,” Johns said in a statement released this afternoon.
“I then took the opportunity to quiz him about Saturday’s big race meeting at Randwick.
“I asked him what he liked and if there were any specials.
“Tom replied that he didn’t like It’s A Dundeel, More Joyous and All Too Hard.”
More Joyous ended up finishing seventh and drifted in betting.
Singleton said he wouldn’t name who had told him “all was not good” with the horse ahead of the Group 1 All-Aged Stakes.
Stewards have since spoken with Allan Robinson, who may be asked to comment at what’s set to be an explosive inquiry on Monday.
Robinson reportedly rang Singleton prior to the race to tell him Tom Waterhouse was dismissing the horse’s chances.
Chief steward Ray Murrihy said Johns and Robinson “are parties of interest” in the investigation
“As we indicated we wanted to take this week to gather the evidence and as a part of that our intelligence and surveillance unit members will be interviewing a number of parties,” Murrihy told racing network TVN.
“Obviously … Andrew Johns and Allan Robinson would be a couple of parties of interest.
“The fact they have been publicly played out isn’t terribly helpful but we’ll have a look at how the evidence falls on Monday.”
