Fixing allegations mar pig races

T HE inaugural Siem Reap charity pig-racing derby, Porkula 1, was marred last weekend by egregious allegations of race-rorting on a par with Cambodia's rumoured national election fixing. Geoffrey Whitty, of Fine Star wine importers, claimed his attractive racing pig was "interfered with" underneath a pool table by a well-known Siem Reap personality who cannot be named due to pernicious press freedom restrictions.

X Rooftop Bar owners Scott Interdonato and Carlo Tarabini, renowned for creating madcap events, staged the derby on Saturday night, and ten local businesses entered racing swine with all proceeds going to charities.

Grand champion for the night was rank outsider Scooter from the Warehouse, after defeating the V Brothers pig, Sir Francis Bacon.The Warehouse Bar's entry went AWOL after a late start, the trainer missing the starting call because he was preoccupied at the bar.

Linga Bar's entry Lady Linga was a favourite, mincing to the finish line in pink underwear and a matching brassiere.Tensions ran high for the V Brothers team after their pig collapsed in the holding pen, minutes before the time trials, before making a miraculous recovery and crossing the finish line at 16.3 seconds, behind Aqua Bar pig's astounding 15.6 seconds. But Aqua's entrant was disqualified as a ringer.

Red Bull overdose

Controversy pertaining to performance-enhancing drugs surrounded The Bubble Tea Shop's entry. Trainer Hong Hsin Yen openly admitted to doping her pig with Red Bull, and her pig overdosed in the Grand Prix.

The Porkula 1 pig-racing derby raised $272 from bets alone and Interdonato and Tarabini hope to host a second derby, before selling the pigs to raise another $1,200 for charity.Pork is on the menu for Friday.

Written by Peter Olszewski and Dean Willams