Three Betfair account holders who gained financially from the defeat of Baby Boom at Caloundra in January have been summonsed to face a stewards' inquiry.
Three Betfair account holders who gained financially from the defeat of Baby Boom at Caloundra in January have been summonsed to show cause why they should not be warned off after they declined to appear before a Queensland Racing Limited stewards' inquiry.
Professional Melbourne punter and commission agent Neville Clements and Alessandro Alaimo and Kevin McFarland, both from the Gold Coast, defied a stewards' request to appear before the inquiry which resumed in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Clements, a former bookmaker, has been a central figure involved with the Danny Nikolic inquiry in Melbourne.
"The three Betfair account holders of interest all derived a substantial financial benefit from Baby Boom," chief steward Wade Birch said.
"They were each asked to appear before the inquiry today and all refused to attend."
Birch said although none were licensed persons, the board of Queensland Racing had the power to warn off all three if they refused to attend a further inquiry.
"Our inquiries continued today and we've got all the necessary evidence," Birch said.
"We requested the three parties attend the inquiry but they declined to do so."
Stewards opened an inquiry into the running and handling of Baby Boom following the mare's defeat at Caloundra on January 3.
The daughter of Redoute's Choice was trained at the time by Nikolic's brother John, and was ridden by NSW country jockey John Keating.
John Nikolic told the inquiry he was a close friend of Alaimo and admitted he had spoken to him on the morning of the race but denied offering information about the mare's chances.
He also denied contacting Clements or McFarland.
Evidence gathered at previous inquiries established that a large volume of money was placed on the horse to lose with betting agency Betfair.
Baby Boom finished fourth as the $1.30 favourite in a Maiden Handicap (1000m).
John Nikolic moved to the Gold Coast late last year after a successful stint in Malaysia but since the inquiry has threatened to quit training.
No charges have so far been laid against any person.
