Trainer Ciaron Maher has been deemed guilty by Racing Victoria stewards for employing inappropriate language towards RV Executive General Manager – Integrity, Jamie Stier. The breach, falling under the provisions of AR228(c), pertains to two telephone conversations Maher had with Stier following the conclusion of the Flemington meeting on Champions Stakes Day (November 11), during which improper and insulting language was used. Consequently, Maher has been fined $4000.
In a separate incident, accomplished jockey Mark Zahra, renowned for his wins in the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, was found guilty of interference aboard Strait Acer in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes near the 100-metre mark. Zahra entered a guilty plea and received a suspension of 10 meetings, with the penalty set to commence at midnight on Saturday.
Furthermore, rider Jake Noonan faced a suspension of seven meetings after being found guilty of careless riding in the G1 Thousand Guineas for his handling of Enna’s Dream. His suspension is scheduled to commence on Sunday, November 26, with a return to riding permitted the following Saturday.
