Gold Coast Turf club chairman Andrew Eggleston has been banned for two months following a Racing Queensland Limited inquiry into allegations of “unseemly behaviour”.
The two month disqualification means Eggleston won’t be able to walk onto a race track or attend board meetings of the Gold Coast Turf Club.
Eggleston is expected to appeal the decision and hopes to be granted a stay of proceedings.
The suspension followed a verbal dispute with security guards at the Gold Coast Turf Club (GCTC) in December in which Eggleston claims he was provoked.
A statement posted on Racing Queensland’s website on Thursday said Eggleston was charged with breaching Australian Rule of Racing 175(q) which states the committee of any club or the stewards may penalise any person who in their opinion is guilty of any misconduct, improper conduct or unseemly behaviour.
The specifics of the charge were that while acting as the chairman at the club on December 11, Eggleston acted in a manner where his behaviour was deemed to be unseemly when dealing with security staff.
Eggleston pleaded not guilty to the charge at an inquiry on April 4 and was provided with opportunity to question all relevant witnesses.
Stewards adjourned the matter on that day due to the large volume of evidence that was taken and acceded to a request from Eggleston that he be allowed 24 hours to provide written submissions.
“Subsequent to the adjournment RQL stewards have attempted to reconvene the inquiry on three separate occasions and have had to adjourn each time as Eggleston for various reasons has been unable to attend,” the statement said.
“Eggleston was advised that the inquiry today (Wednesday) would proceed, and due to his current circumstances, was provided with the opportunity to make submissions by telephone or in writing.”
Eggleston did not attend the inquiry.
AAP TURF
