John Coulam, chairman of the Harness Racing New Zealand board, said the decision reinforced the industry’s “zero tolerance” for dishonest behaviour. Warwick Gendall, the chairman of the JCA panel, said Kerr had forfeited any right to be involved in the harness racing profession or enjoy any of the benefits of horse racing. A penalty to deter others was crucial. “The confidence of owners and others in the absolute integrity of trainers in whom total trust is vested is vital. The sport cannot endure if owners cannot trust trainers.” Gendall gave a detailed account of Kerr’s fraud against Brisbane businessmen Peter Varcoe and John Beverley.