Shots fired at Melbourne home of top racing steward Terry Bailey
Australian police are investigating a shooting at the Melbourne home of a senior racing steward who has been active in efforts to clean up corruption in the industry.
Shots from a semi-automatic rifle were fired into the front door of Victoria state's chief steward Terry Bailey late on Sunday, while he was at home with his family.
Last December, Bailey worked at the Hong Kong International Races.
Neighbours came running when they heard the gunfire. I was pretty angry. There's no need for that - it's below the belt
Terry Bailey
No one was injured in the shooting, but the incident has rocked the industry in the lead-up to next week's Melbourne Cup, Australia's richest and most high-profile race.
"It was such a warm night that we were outside when we heard this burst of bullets," Bailey said.
"Just as we ran, neighbours came running when they heard the gunfire. I was pretty angry. There's no need for that - it's below the belt.
"It's a job we're in and we've had similar incidents over the years. We're accustomed to it now."
Those people that might want to deter him or racing integrity officials from doing their job and doing it properly, will be sadly disappointed
Martin Pakula
Bailey, who is expected to return to Hong Kong for this year's HKIR meeting, has appeared as a witness in betting-related corruption hearings against local jockeys and has been unpopular with some trainers for his hardline anti-doping stance.
Local governing body Racing Victoria said it had assigned extra security at his house.
"Terry Bailey is one tough cookie," Victoria state's racing minister Martin Pakula said.
"Of course, he'll be concerned for the safety of his family and he'll be concerned about this incident, but 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."
It was confirmed Bailey will continue in his role in the run-up to the industry's busiest day.
