THE Royal Western Indian Turf Club has appointed former Racing Queensland Chief Investigator Wayne Wood as Chief Integrity Steward.

Wood, 57, has been working outside of the racing industry in Queensland for five years despite being cleared of unsubstantiated allegations made under Parliamentary Privilege by the National Party during the Daubney-Rafter Racing Inquiry.

Here is a news item from the MUMBAI MIRROR on the Wood appointment:

AMPLY demonstrating their resolve to tighten the conduct and control of horse-racing, the managing committee of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) have definitely made a visionary move by clearing the appointment of a Chief Integrity Steward yesterday.

The committee, after interviewing him over the last two days here, has approved the appointment of Wayne Wood subject to his clearing the visa requirements.

57-year-old Wood is the former Chief Investigator of Queensland Racing. He had also served as the Chairman of Stewards for two years at the Western Australian Turf Club in the late 80’s.


Confirming Wood’s appointment to Mirror, RWITC Chairman Vivek Jain informed, “Wood’s appointment reflects our resolve to tighten the conduct and control of horse-racing. By designating him as Chief Integrity Steward, the first time a designation of this kind has been bestowed by a Turf Authority in India, we wish to send out a message that his primary function will be to improve the integrity of the sport.”

Expressing hope that Wood will live up to the expectation of the managing committee, Jain further added, “We hope that Wood will bring his considerable international experience to professionalize the club’s racing department, which is the backbone of the institution,

by offering out-of-the-box ideas and a new independent thought process. It’s a hot seat and the onus will be on him to prove that he can make a difference.”