Racing: Three-year wait for apology

Former central districts jockey Tineke Balcombe has received an apology and an out of court settlement from New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing more than three years after an incident that ended her riding career.

The action is tantamount to an admission that the incident on November 1, 2001, at Hastings was badly handled.

The incident occurred when Balcombe was booked to ride a horse without her confirmation.

On discovering the horse was one that had thrown her and which was regarded by many as a rogue, Balcombe asked to be relieved of the raceday ride.

But stipendiary steward Keith Hawea ruled she must ride the horse. Balcombe was thrown, suffering serious neck and back injuries that ultimately ended her career.

In a letter to Balcombe, NZTR chief executive Allan Fenwick said: "I appreciate the overall stressful nature of this issue from day one, and for my part, apologise for any unnecessary delays that occurred.

"Although the personal interests of our racing family are of a concern to us from time to time, it seems unfortunate that matters conspire against us expeditiously arriving at a conclusion."

Fenwick, in a letter to Balcombe's father Ron, said: "I acknowledge the frustrations you have felt regarding the way in which NZTR has dealt with this issue.

"For my part, I extend our sincere apologies. There certainly has not been any deliberate attempt to deal with matters other than in a fair and proper manner."

The out of court settlement figure was subject to confidentiality.

An independent report commissioned in June, 2002, and formulated by long-time New Zealand Racing Conference (the former equivalent of NZTR) lawyer Tim Fookes, found Hawea lacked knowledge of the racing rules, so failed to apply the correct rules in this incident, denying Balcombe the chance to be released from the ride on safety grounds.

- NZPA