Racing exposé is a tough but necessary watch and now intensifies welfare debate
The subject matter of last week's main column piece, forecasting a possible equine welfare furore in Australia, proved unintentionally prescient, although not for the anticipated reason.
It was reported on this page that Paul Preusker, trainer of leading Melbourne Cup contender Surprise Baby, had served a four-year ban from the sport after being found guilty of using a jigger, a device used to inflict an electric shock upon horses during training.
Prior to that column piece appearing, those linked to Australian racing and its media coverage had made no recent references to Preusker's past, choosing instead to portray him as a small-time trainer attempting to beat global heavyweights in the nation's premier race.
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