A central figure in the controversy surrounding last year's horse racing awards has stepped down from the board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.
Brian Kinley, a South Island director on the NZTR board for 15 years, announced his decision yesterday.
His time with the board was overshadowed bythe outcry that erupted last year when an NZTR three-man panel, chaired by Kinley, overturned a significant vote for Wahid by a 76-person industry and media panel and gave the Mercedes Three-Year-Old of the Year title to Darci Brahma.
An NZTR review of the incident found significant discrepancies in the voting processes, but Darci Brahma kept his title.
Wahid was named people's choice and NZTR was left seriously embarrassed when it emerged that Kinley, head of the organisation's integrity committee, managed a syndicate which had a horse in Te Akau Stables, where Darci Brahma was trained.
NZTR later said it would overhaul the voting process by appointing a panel of six people - two NZTR handicapping staff and four media representatives.
Kinley said his first instinct at one stage during the controversy was to move on from the board.
"However, I was persuaded to stay on by many of the clubs and the people I represent, who felt that I understood their needs and wanted that representation and expertise to continue. Having done that, I have now come to believe that the right course of action is to resign."
