Trainer Bryce Stanaway has been disqualified for three years by the Victorian Racing Tribunal. The verdict was handed down yesterday.
The disqualification is a sequel to a series of misconduct charges that were levelled at Stanaway.
It all stemmed from an incident back in October 2020 which involved Moorabool, a horse of Stanaway’s who was injured at Bendigo races … and also related to what occurred at Stanaway’s stables three days after that Bendigo meeting.
Stanaway had previously been found guilty of eight charges relating to the incidents which took place at the two separate locations with the charge sheet including references to the way Stanaway spoke to stewards and the race-day vet.
Stanaway maintains his actions were focussed on ensuring the welfare of the horse.
As reported by Racing.com, at the penalty Tribunal hearing yesterday written and verbal submissions were submitted by both sides.
Stewards were seeking a five-year disqualification … three years for the raceday incident and two years for Stanway’s conduct at the stables … on the basis that, ‘the offending is so serious.’ … and that, ‘as an experienced trainer (of forty years), (Stanaway) should’ve had a very good understanding of his privileges and responsibilities as a licensed trainer,’ and that, ‘Stanaway should have known better.’
Stewards wanted the penalty for each episode to be served cumulatively.
Justin Hooper, acting on behalf of the stewards, also suggested that, ‘there is no reliable evidence before this Tribunal that this manner of explosive conduct and inability to listen to those in authority will not happen again.’
Frances Nelson QC, who represented Stanaway, asked the Tribunal to hand down a penalty ‘proportionate to the circumstances of the trainer’ and she also pointed out Stanaway’s clean record over a lengthy period of time.
The Victorian Racing Tribunal then reached the decision to impose a three year disqualification.
