The great 'corruption in racing' probe continues...and now it's alleged that top jockey Mark Zahra is embroiled in the Smoking Aces race-fixing scandal. The Age says it can also reveal that the Australian Federal Police and the Tax Office are joining Victorian detectives in probing the 2011 murder of former horse trainer Les Samba and in an offshoot investigation into corruption in the racing industry. The Age says: 'It is understood that police are following a national and international money t

The great 'corruption in racing' probe continues...and now it's alleged that top jockey Mark Zahra is embroiled in the Smoking Aces race-fixing scandal. The Age says it can also reveal that the Australian Federal Police and the Tax Office are joining Victorian detectives in probing the 2011 murder of former horse trainer Les Samba and in an offshoot investigation into corruption in the racing industry. The Age says: 'It is understood that police are following a national and international money trail, and the role of the AFP will be to follow leads across Australia and overseas.'

So what was wrong with the Smoking Aces race at Cranbourne? It looks like just another race. Danny Nikolic was wide throughout on the so-called 'fix' horse Smopking Aces, swept wide into the home turn and picked up the leaders before drawing clear for a comfortable win. The question is: Were other riders in the race giving their mounts no chance? If they were they did a pretty good job of it.

Last night's Four Corners program was big on allegation and rather small on actual evidence. There was nothing to prove in any way that the Smoking Aces race was 'fixed' and there was precious little hard evidence of any other race-fixing. In time, this evidence may emerge but right now - well, it's all smoke and mirrors and accusations.