High-ranking Australian Turf Club official Matt Rudolph has been sacked for improper conduct during a cobalt case involving disqualified trainer Sam Kavanagh.
Employed as the ATC’s executive general manager for racing, Rudolph admitted he had met with Kavanagh and his father, Melbourne trainer Mark Kavanagh, to discuss evidence in an upcoming stewards’ inquiry into cobalt swabs.
Rudolph was issued a show cause notice and fronted a Racing NSW hearing in August.
A Racing NSW sub committee published its findings on Monday, saying it was “of the view that Mr Rudolph positioned himself and contrived to attend the meeting”.
The report said Rudolph’s conduct amounted to an attempt to obstruct or hinder the stewards in the exercise of their powers or duties.
It described his actions as misconduct or improper conduct and they were prejudicial to the interests and welfare of racing.
ATC chief executive officer Darren Pearce said the principal race club had no choice but to abide by the Racing NSW findings.
“There can be no grey areas when it comes to matters of integrity in racing, and unfortunately this means that Mr Rudolph’s employment as an executive with the ATC is no longer tenable,” Pearce said.
The Racing NSW sub committee will hear submissions on Rudolph’s penalty next week.
