an immediate investigation. As Bold Personality returned to scale, the paint was beginning to run on his leg, something obvious to those nearby. Several members of the crowd began to shout "ring-in". Stewards stopped payment of bets in the race while they spoke to Fine Cotton's trainer, Hayden Haitana. They requested the registration papers for Fine Cotton so that they could verify the identity of the race winner; however, Haitana absconded from the track without complying with this request and the scam began to fall apart. Bold Personality—alias Fine Cotton—was disqualified, and an official inquiry was opened. With the disqualification, runner-up Harbour Gold was awarded the race, and the many punters who had backed Fine Cotton did not receive any money. Aftermath As a result of the official inquiry, the Queensland Turf Club, the State's principal racing club, "warned off" (banned) six people for life. They were the organiser John Gillespie, horse trainer Hayden Haitana, businessman Robert North, electrical technician Tommaso Di Luzio, and salesman John Dixon. Gillespie and Haitana also served jail terms. In 1998, after being banned for 14 years, Bill and Robbie Waterhouse were allowed back on to Australian racecourses. In November 2013, trainer Hayden Haitana's lifetime ban from entering any racecourse in Australia was lifted by the Queensland All Codes Racing Industry Board which agreed to recommendations made by stewards and the Queensland Thoroughbred Racing Board that Haitana have his warning off removed. The jockey involved, Gus Philpot, was exonerated by the course stewards and continued to ride at race meetings in eastern Australia. As of December 2014, he was a horse trainer with stables in rural Victoria. Fine Cotton died on 20 February 2009, aged 32. References External links Peter Hoysted unravels the true tale of the Fine Cotton fiasco Ring-in racehorse Fine Cotton dies aged 31 Horsetalk.co.nz ABC Local Radio article on Robbie Waterhouse and 'the Fine Cotton' affair New Zealand Herald article recap on the Fine Cotton scandal 1976 racehorse births 2009 racehorse deaths Thoroughbred family C10 1984 in Australian sport Sports betting scandals Racehorses bred in Australia Racehorses trained in Australia Crime in Brisbane Horse racing controversies