The Hon. Lachlan Hunter, Shadow Minister for Racing and Gaming (WA), Media Release, 28 May 2026
Shadow Minister for Racing and Gaming, Mr Lachlan Hunter MP, has called on the Minister to address serious concerns after two races at the controversial Lark Hill meeting were run over the wrong distance—an issue he had previously raised in Questions on Notice earlier this year.
According to reporting, races advertised over 1600m were in fact run over approximately 1680m after officials failed to detect the error on race day.
Mr Hunter said the revelations were deeply embarrassing for the WA racing industry and reflected poorly on ministerial oversight of Racing WA and the TAB.
“This is an absolute shambles,” Mr Hunter said.
“Punters were betting on advertised race distances that were simply wrong. That strikes at the integrity and credibility of racing and wagering in Western Australia.
“These were TAB races attracting wagering from across Australia and internationally yet, somehow, nobody realised the distances were incorrect until after the meeting.”
Mr Hunter said he had raised concerns about the proposed Lark Hill event months ago through extensive Questions on Notice to the Minister for Racing and Gaming, seeking details around the approval process, funding, consultation and impacts on regional racing.
Responses tabled in Parliament confirmed Racing WA contributed more than $118,000 toward the meeting and that seven regional race meetings did not proceed during the same period.
“The Minister cannot wash his hands of this,” Mr Hunter said.
“He is the Minister responsible for Racing WA and the TAB. Oversight and accountability ultimately sit with him.”
“At a time when regional racing clubs are constantly fighting for support, funding and certainty, this Government backed a new metropolitan-style meeting that has now become an embarrassment for the industry.”
Mr Hunter said the latest revelations underscored the urgent need for the ongoing review into Racing WA, warning that serious integrity and governance failures could not be ignored.
“There is already a review underway into Racing WA, and I will be making sure failures of this nature are rigorously scrutinised and addressed,” he said.
“The industry and the public deserve confidence that these breaches are thoroughly investigated and that safeguards are put in place to ensure they are not repeated.”
“The racing industry deserves confidence, professionalism and accountability. Quite frankly, this episode has damaged all three.”
Mr Hunter said the Minister must now explain how the error was allowed to occur, why it was not identified on race day and what steps will now be taken to restore confidence for punters and participants.
“If the Government cannot even ensure the correct race distances are being run, people are entitled to ask what else is being missed,” he said.
