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THE son of a well-known racehorse
trainer has been brutally beaten by bikies and a trotting
identity, sparking fears that bikies are moving in on the
trotting industry.
Police sources said the son was lured to a semi-rural property
late last month, not long after the trotting identity reported
having $70,000 stolen from his safe.
The racehorse trainer's son, who is also connected to the
industry, was beaten in the head, back and legs with what police
believe were blunt objects.
They believe the Club Deroes gang was responsible.
One trotting trainer, who did not want to be named, said there
was a risk the bikies could be used as muscle to fix the result
of races.
"It could happen," he said. "We don't want that in
the industry because it needs to be run properly so people have
the confidence to make a bet.
"Drivers could be intimidated and there could be all sorts
of problems. It really has to be nipped in the bud and the
stewards have got to show courage and do something about it
before it gets out of hand."
Another trotting trainer said the bikies' growing involvement
with the industry figure involved in the attack had been a big
concern.
Officials from Racing and Wagering WA, which controls racing and
trotting, are aware of the attack. The body has the power to
investigate all licensed racing industry people.
Racecourse investigator Phil O'Reilly said he would liaise with
the police racing squad.
The bashed man has refused to make a statement to police or name
his attackers.
The hour-long attack stopped only when the group was interrupted
by an unexpected visitor.
The man was left bleeding from cuts on his head, face, feet and
legs and had severe bruising on his back and body. He also had
blood in his urine.
It is understood that hospital staff could smell petrol on him.
Police have seized his clothes and shoes. Officers tried to speak
to the man while he was in Armadale Hospital but he would not
co-operate.
"We are not going to be able to do anything about it because
he doesn't want to come to the party," a police source said.
The son refused to speak to The West Australian about the
incident yesterday.
Club Deroes bikies have been seen at Gloucester Park race
meetings by several punters in recent weeks and are believed to
have threatened the trotting identity over a several thousand
dollar debt which he eventually paid off using a loan from
another track identity.
The bikie gang, which has about 40 members, is best known for its
feud with the rival Coffin Cheaters gang which led to several
bloody incidents, including the shooting death of Marc Chabriere
in 1998.
© 2004 West Australian Newspapers Limited
