MELBOURNE October 18 AAP – Trainer Paul Beshara has been found guilty of illegally treating Happy Trails on the morning the horse was due to race in last month’s Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes last month.
The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board handed down its decision on Friday, rejecting the evidence of Beshara and accepting the evidence of the Racing Victoria’s compliance assurance stewards and RV’s chief veterinarian.
Beshara was found guilty of injecting the horse with an unknown substance on the morning of the September 14 race.
Happy Trails was a raceday scratching from the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes following the stable raid from the compliance assurance team.
The RAD Board will hear submissions on penalty on Monday.
The trainer is facing the prospect of a minimum mandatory six month disqualification unless the RAD Board finds there are “special circumstances”.
Beshara said he would appeal any penalty.
Happy Trails is due to have his next start in the Cox Plate on Saturday week.
