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Letter of the Week

Hear, hear

Once again, John D. Nott (21/9) demonstrates that he’s the voice of reason, by succinctly pointing out the glaring inconsistencies that most of us thought occurred when Racing Victoria handed out contrasting penalties to Damien Oliver and Holly McKechnie.

Rightly, he points out that the 10 months that Damien received for having a significant bet on an opposition horse (in a race that he rode in) seems to all intents and purposes a slap on the wrist with a wet lettuce.

On the other hand, Holly McKechnie received a three-year disqualification for using an electric device on a horse during trackwork. Whilst I don’t condone such actions, the offence pales into insignificance when compared to the case mentioned above. Besides, do we really think that this never happened before and won’t again?

Whilst they both took their medicine without a complaint, I’m pretty sure that during their enforced holiday, only one of them had to work in a supermarket in Horsham stacking shelves in order to make ends meet.

I’m pleased that Darryl Dodson and others have stuck by Holly. Just like Mr Nott, I have no problem in backing the horses that she rides, and have done so since her apprenticeship days.

After Holly’s exile ended, I thought that that she’d be as keen as mustard to re-establish her credentials by riding a winner or two upon resumption.

My hunch proved to be correct, as Holly’s first ride back was a winning one and she saluted a couple more times that day.(Apologies if I’ve got that wrong, but my memory isn’t what it used to be.)

Needless to say, I was grinning like a Cheshire cat at the time.

Is there a Holly McKechnie fan club out there? If so, where do I sign up?

I’m pleased that both Damien and Holly are back, and doing what they do best — ride winners.

John Bansky
Newport (Vic)
Today's Racing
Friday 29 March
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