Inquiry opened after Sandown scratching

Trainer Richard Laming faces a stewards’ inquiry over the alleged raceday treatment of Patient, a late scratching at Sandown.

Racing Victoria stewards scratched the mare from Wednesday’s Ladbrokes Handicap following a report from its compliance assurance team.

Steward in charge of the meeting Rob Montgomery said after a routine stable inspection, he was advised that Patient had been treated with a nebuliser.

He said as it fell under raceday treatment, stewards were forced to scratch Patient.

Montgomery said if Laming had sought permission from a RV vet to use a nebuliser on Patient on raceday it would not have been granted.

Laming had already scratched two other runners from earlier races on Wednesday’s program.