Owner John Crowley has lodged an appeal against the race ban imposed on barrier rogue Here De Angels.
The eight-year-old gelding was barred from competing in all jurisdictions by Racing Victoria stewards on April 24.
Here De Angels was stood down indefinitely after he was scratched at Caulfield on February 11 when he became fractious in the barriers and dislodged his rider.
It was the sixth time Here De Angels had been suspended or barred as a result of unruly behaviour in the barriers, with multiple warnings also afforded him throughout his career.
Leading trainers Lee Freedman and Mark Kavanagh prepared Here De Angels before Wendy Roche at Goulburn took over when he was sold.
Racing NSW stewards passed him to race after he behaved well in two barrier trials before resuming his career.
Last October he was controversially reassigned a barrier one away from Black Caviar in the Group Two Schweppes Stakes at Moonee Valley because of his history.
“Stewards are of the opinion that, despite the best efforts of current trainer Wendy Roche, it is inevitable that Here De Angels would revert to his previous bad behaviour if permitted to race again and as such pose a safety risk to other horses, riders and barrier attendants,” RV said when it issued the ban last month.
Here De Angels has won 11 of his 39 starts and $770,300 prizemoney.
Eight of those starts were for his new connections for a third and a fourth placing and $34,300 in prizemoney.
Crowley, at veterinary surgeon and the managing owner of Here de Angels, has appealed the decision and the severity of the penalty imposed on the sprinter.
The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board will hear the appeal next Monday.
