Betting steward is hot on the trail

Former SCMP racing editor Murray Bell will have had a quiet giggle to himself at comments by chief steward Kim Kelly following the Shahjee inquiry last week.

One of the key points for the public regarding Shahjee's win being followed by a ketamine positive was the three-year-old was backed like the backers had tomorrow's paper. Shortening from more than 8-1 down to a dark brown light and 3-1 at the off - that was a significant hit, especially in a race where there was good support for other runners.

We've discussed before why these late hits are so overwhelming and from where that impact is coming, and the likely value that the punting public places on them, especially after one wins. But when the odds turn brown, the horse wins and then comes up with a positive drug test?

Now you're talking ... well, let's just say there are other jurisdictions in the Asian region where winners regularly test positive, trainers are found guilty and fined a pittance but bets have already been paid out and that's where the money is.

The temptation, no, the demand, to put two and two together is irresistible. Even the stewards must feel the creeping urge to suspect somebody did something that shouldn't have been done.

And that was Shahjee - but for the Jockey Club having taken on board Bell's suggestion several years ago in this column that Hong Kong should follow the Australian lead and have a full-time betting steward.

A steward whose duties do not involve conduct and licensing matters or race-day interference or positive tests or jockeys having the right helmets, vests or whips or horses working the right side of the cones at trackwork.