NEWS headlines were ignited earlier in the week with the assertion by trainer Peter Moody that Racing Victoria stewards had planned to infiltrate the stable with a groom who would be tasked with spying on the leading trainer. Moody is facing cobalt charges from an elevated reading from Lidari last October.

Moody said chief steward Terry Bailey, fellow high-ranking integrity official Dayle Brown and Racing Victoria vet, Dr Brian Stewart, offered a job to a former barrier attendant to provide intelligence from within the Moody stable. It was an assertion not denied by Bailey.

“With respect to Mr Moody’s comments regarding the proposed engagement of an individual to assist in surveillance across stables, I can confirm that the stewards considered the concept a few years ago. However, we decided not to proceed,” said Bailey who said the idea of placing someone in a stable, not necessarily Moody’s, was floated past the Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna.

“To say that we had Moody in mind is plainly and simply wrong. The arrangement or the idea was dumped, Perna gave us the thumbs down,” said Bailey.