Caulfield trainer John Sadler has been suspended for six weeks after pleading guilty to an improper conduct charge.
The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board heard on Monday that Sadler had recently lost his love of racing after being charged by Racing Victoria stewards over his conduct before and after Observational was scratched from the Group Three Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on November 18.
Sadler claimed he had been dragged into the ongoing Lovani case as stewards continue investigations into an alleged raceday treatment of the Robert Smerdon-trained mare.
Both Sadler and Smerdon are among the trainers who operate under the Aquanita Racing banner.
Aquanita provides management and administration services but the trainers remain independent and responsible for their own stables.
Stewards alleged Sadler made comments to chief steward Terry Bailey in telephone calls on the morning of the race and in person, again towards Bailey and deputy chief steward Robert Cram, at Sandown that day.
Observational was scratched following an elevated TC02 reading in an out-of-competition test the previous day raising stewards concerns the horse had been treated within one clear day of the race, which Sadler denied.
The RAD Board suspended Sadler from December 25 until February 5.
Stewards are continuing their investigations into the circumstance that led to Observational’s scratching.
