On 18 August 1984 the plodder Fine Cotton edged out Harbour Gold in the Second Commerce Novice run over 1500m. For a fairly low profile race, it had attracted betting attention from not only around Australia, but also the world. They all only wanted one horse - Fine Cotton. The horse was initially backed at 33-1 however these odds tumbled before the race and punters were looking to net more than $1.5 million.
But even before the all clear was given, officials smelt a rat. Stewards, accompanied by police, checked the horse's brands and learned he was not Fine Cotton The horse was disqualified and one of the greatest scandals in Australian racing history was uncovered.
The horse and trainer Hayden Haitana quickly disappeared from the racecourse but were soon found by police. Haitana and alleged mastermind John Gillespie were jailed and several people, including a Catholic priest, were 'warned off' by the Australian Jockey Club. High profile bookmakers Bill and Robbie Waterhouse were two of the people warned off, for having had prior knowledge of the scam and placing bets on Fine Cotton.
TO FIND THE CACHE LOCATION YOU NEED TO DETERMINE THE FOLLOWING DETAILS.
How old was Fine Cotton? = (A)years.
How old was the horse which was substituted in his place? = (B)years.
How many people were warned off for life by the Queensland Turf Club as a result of the official enquiry? = (C).
How long were Australia's big racing names, and prominent bookmakers Bill and Robbie Waterhouse warned off the country's tracks? = (D)years.
What were the final odds on Fine Cotton before the race? = (E to F )
The cordinates are:
S 27 F (C-1).A (A/2) B
E 153 0 (C/2).(E+1) F (D/2)
Take care on race days or you could find yourself being the subject of an enquiry by the Stewards.
After the incident Fine Cotton was used as a riding horse before being retired around 1997.
Movie producer John Stainton bought Fine Cotton a year after the scandal. The 31-year-old gelding died from old age yesterday morning (20/2/2009) at Stainton’s Brookfield property in Brisbane's west.
If you can find the Jockey there is a recent story expanding on the affair.
You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.