Group 1-winning trainer Desleigh Forster faces a six-month ban after being found guilty of using an illegal stock whip on a horse at the Eagle Farm pool.
Forster has been charged with possession of a stock whip, use of a stock whip, and committing an act of animal cruelty.
She will reportedly appeal the decision under the new Racing Appeals Panel (RAP), which was recently established.
Forster received a six-month disqualification, four-month disqualification, and a $1000 fine for the three charges.
The disqualifications will be served concurrently. Forster has applied for a stay to the RAP until her appeal is heard. With races scheduled for the weekend, connections hope the panel will hear the stay application in time.
During the stewards’ inquiry, Forster admitted to possessing the stock whip but defended her animal welfare record.
She claimed that she was unaware of the 2009 stock whip ban and only used it to create noise to encourage the horse into the pool.
