Racing: Controversial Kiwi horseman Hayden Haitana dies

Hayden Haitana is escorted by special crime police in 1984. Photo / Supplied

Hayden Haitana, the Kiwi horseman who was a central figure in the infamous Fine Cotton scandal, has died aged 72.

Haitana was the trainer of Fine Cotton, who was replaced for a race by the better-performed ring-in Bold Personality in an attempted nationwide betting plunge at Eagle Farm in Brisbane back in 1984.

The attempted coup, which included trying to disguise Bold Personality by painting his legs to look like Fine Cotton, was foiled after "Fine Cotton" firmed from 33-1 to 7-2.

Fine Cotton (Bold Personality) won the race but stewards were alerted to the ring-in and disqualified Fine Cotton. They later discovered the horse's true identity.

The fall-out from the scandal saw Haitana jailed and disqualified from racing.

Bookmakers Bill and Robbie Waterhouse were warned off for allegedly betting on Fine Cotton but had their bans lifted in 1998.

Haitana's daughter Mandy posted a tribute to her late father on her Facebook page on December 6.

RIP DAD ~ HAYDEN THOMAS HAITANA ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ How do I say goodbye to you forever? Never hear another one...

Posted by Mandy Haitana on Tuesday, December 5, 2017

"RIP DAD - HAYDEN THOMAS HAITANA," she wrote.

"How do I say goodbye to you forever? Never hear another one of your stories, go driving with you on one of your short cuts or crazy adventures when you would try so hard to stay out of trouble but trouble would always fine you!

"Providing us with so much laughter & a simple task couldn't go without a hitch! I'm sure people that are not friends or family of you would doubt the stories shared about you, for the rest of us though we have endless memories.

"You're a stubborn shit that (fought) too hard for too long!!! In your last weeks you were surrounded by all of us that loved you dearly.

"I'm sure I can speak for us all when I say that it hurts like hell loosing you but thank god your suffering is over & you are now at peace!"

Haitana, who lived in South Australia prior to his death, had his life ban lifted in 2013 following a decision by the Queensland All Codes Racing Industry Board, with chairman Kevin Dixon explaining Haitana had served his time.