The training career of Robbie Laing is in limbo after a Racing Victoria move to reject nominations from his Cranbourne stable.
Laing, 60, has blamed a loss of owners and cash flow issues for falling behind in rent payments on his stables, resulting in RV officials taking its action.
A Group One-winning trainer, Laing says a positive to trenbolone that was subsequently thrown out and a marriage breakdown had had a devastating effect on his career.
Laing said headlines two months after Little Indian returned the positive sample in 2017 led to several owners taking their horses from his care.
“I had a lot of unrest with family members, staff, whether they were going to have a job or not as well as how financially viable we were going to be,” Laing said.
Financial troubles then surfaced over the Double RL Racing business he ran with his estranged wife Rachael.
He said all prize money was being directed to his former wife, leaving Laing little to pay feed, farriers, staff and rent.
Laing said he might be portrayed as a whinger but insists the episode has not affected him.
“In the last 12 months I’ve lost my family, my house, had my car repossessed and now had my job taken away,” he said.
“I’ve had 38 years in the game. Up at three o’clock every morning and I would like to think I’ve been a good, honest stakeholder, as they call it.
“Yes I have got behind in my rent at Cranbourne but when you have horses in your ownership winning and running placings and not getting any money, it makes it very hard.”
Laing had two horses entered for The Valley on Saturday, Pissaro and Gennady, which have been transferred to his son Jack’s name.
He said he was exploring his legal options including a possible appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
RV chief steward Robert Cram said Laing’s licence was not renewed because he had not met certain criteria.
Cram said Laing had financial stress while stewards were in ongoing consultation with him and his financial advisors.
