QRIC warns about severe bans for fixing

Participants in Queensland’s three racing codes have been put on notice they face severe bans if they engage in match-fixing.

Queensland Racing Integrity Commission boss Ross Barnett said harness driver Barton Cockburn, who pleaded guilty to match-fixing charges in the Magistrates Court last week, had been warned off for life.

The ban means Cockburn can’t attend any racetrack in the world.

“Cockburn’s warning off applies to all three codes of racing, thoroughbreds, harness and greyhounds,” Barnett said.

“The prosecution of Cockburn should sound a clear warning to anyone wanting to undermine the integrity of racing in Queensland that there will be serious consequences.”

Cockburn was one of three people charged with match-fixing offences in April this year after the Racing Crime Squad investigated match fixing allegations in the harness racing industry.

He was fined $5000 with no conviction recorded.

Barnett said the addition of two more full-time investigators to the RCS would bolster the commission’s commitment to integrity.