Racing: 'Disgraceful' shooting at home of racing chief

Terry Bailey.

Extra security is guarding Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey after gunshots were fired into the front of his house.

Bailey was home with his wife and two daughters when shots were fired at his home in the Melbourne suburb of Templestowe about 9.20pm on Sunday.

Racing Minister Martin Pakula says the shooting is of "great concern", and extra security has been provided to Bailey.

"If anybody thinks that Terry Bailey or racing officials will be deterred in any way from providing and ensuring the highest standards and integrity for Victorian racing, they have another think coming," Pakula said yesterday.

"Terry Bailey is one tough cookie.

"If I know Terry Bailey, those people that might want to deter him or racing integrity officials from doing their job, and doing it properly, will be sadly disappointed."

Bailey said his wife and family were "out the back of the house" when the shooting occurred.

"It was such a warm night that we were outside when we heard this burst of bullets," Bailey said.

RV chief executive Bernard Saundry asked that the Bailey family's privacy be respected.

"Victoria Police are investigating the incident and we will afford them whatever support is necessary to ensure that the people responsible for this disgraceful act are brought to justice," Saundry said.

Pakula said stewards have difficult jobs and sometimes have to upset people, but he couldn't recall a similar direct attack. "This sort of direct assault on the home of the chief steward is just absolutely outrageous and unacceptable," he said.

Bailey and his team of stewards have introduced a tougher culture to Victorian racing, cracking down on integrity issues in the sport.

He has shown a willingness to expose the underbelly of the racing industry.

- AAP