Operation Inca almost dead in the water

Operation Inca, the Police investigation into alleged corruption, race-fixing and recreational drug use in the harness racing industry is almost dead in the water, with most of the charges against industry participants having recently been thrown out of the courts.

Harness Racing New Zealand CEO Gary Woodham confirmed as much during his ‘State of the Industry’ podcast with Greg O’Connor on SEN – Kiwi Harness today.

“What I have understood so far is that all but one case has been thrown out of the courts, Gary Woodham said.

“There is one case that is a betting issue at Manawatu that is continuing, and I believe that will come up in September but the rest are now gone,” Woodham said.

“As it is a Police matter, HRNZ have been kept out of the loop with regards to information about the case. I have not been involved in the process because no-one talks to us because once again it was the Police into the courts,” he said.

“They don’t say one word to us, it is their case not our case and we are just not seen as anybody that needs to know, not asked our opinion, not given any updates and trust me I have asked plenty of questions and had no answers,” he said.

“I really feel for the participants in our sport that have been through a wringer, financially and emotionally and the mental health strain that is put on them,” Woodham said.

Click play below to hear the full podcast.

by Harnesslink Media