Grant and Alana Williams free to resume training

A ruling by the Racing Penalties Appeal Tribunal (RPAT) today has granted Grant and Alana Williams a stay of proceedings against the RWAA Stewards decision to suspend their licenses.

They are entitled to resume training immediately and the stay of proceedings will remain in effect until March 10, pending the determination of their appeal by the RPAT which is scheduled for decision on that day.

Grant and Williams were suspended on January 20 after a post-mortem blood sample from Starry Nights tested positive for traces of Ritalinic Acid, a prohibitive substance.

A RACINGWA media release explains how this latest development unfolded.

‘The Racing Penalties Appeal Tribunal (RPAT) today determined the stay application by thoroughbred trainers Grant and Alana Williams against RWWA Stewards’ order to suspend their training licenses pursuant to Local Rule 22 of the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing.

‘Mr and Mrs Williams had filed a Notice of Appeal, dated 5 February 2026, with RPAT seeking to overturn an order of RWWA Stewards’ suspending their training licences (‘Suspension Order’), pursuant to Local Rule 22, pending the determination of a charge against them under Rule 240 (2). Pending the determination of the appeal to RPAT, which is to be listed for 10 March 2026, they also sought a stay of the operation of the suspension order.

‘Pursuant to s. 17(7) of the Act, the Tribunal directs that the RWWA Stewards’ order under Local Rule 22 suspending the Appellants’ training licenses be stayed until 4.00 pm on 10 March 2026