JOHN Singleton was fined $15,000 for his conduct in the explosive More Joyous inquiry.

 

JOHN Singleton was fined $15,000 for his conduct in the explosive More Joyous inquiry. Racing NSW stewards said a fine of $20,000 was discounted by 25 per cent because of the guilty plea by Singleton, coupled with his co-operation in the inquiry, his good character as well as the many things he's done for racing over a long period.

Singleton left the inquiry and immediately went to pay the fine.

Racing NSW chairman of stewards Ray Murrihy said what aggravated the situation in the view of the stewards was how the matter was played out in public. Murrihy described as "clearly inadequate" some of the comments made by Singleton as to supposed inside information of Tom Waterhouse.

"You must have been aware the things you said we're on a very public stage that was going to attract a lot of attention," Murrihy said.

Murrihy said stewards after a thorough investigation could find no evidence to support that Tom Waterhouse had any knowledge of issues that More Joyous may have been dealing with when he spoke to Andrew Johns at the rugby on the Thursday night.

He said there was "no evidence of communication" with Gai Waterhouse with her son in the lead-up to the All Aged Stakes.

Murrihy said the evidence of Andrew Johns and Eddie Hayson also did not raise any suggestion that Tom Waterhouse knew of issues with More Joyous.

JOHN Singleton pleaded guilty to two charges of conduct prejudicial to the image of racing, action that he described as the "catalyst" of the controversial More Joyous inquiry.

Singleton described his behaviour as "inappropriate and regrettable".

He told stewards that he hoped his record of owning horses for 40 years would stand him in good record, given it was the first inquiry he had been embroiled.

Singleton said his behaviour was a culmination of facts that grew out of More Joyous barrier draw in the Cox Plate , not being told about his horse was "crook" and finding out she was by Eddie Hayson and Allan Robinson, "I have worked with many trainers and never had a public disagreement," Singleton said.

"I think I have contributed a lot to racing until I was the catalyst to this case.

"I think I have behaved inappropriately."

Racing NSW stewards said Singleton made unsubstantiated and/or inaccurate inaccurate claims without properly investigating the accuracy of the claims.

Stewards cited three TV appearances where he raised concerns about alleged information that Tom Waterhouse passed on to his friend Andrew Johns. (racingnetwork.com.au)