Trainer Paul Beshara has been disqualified for six months for treating Happy Trails before he was due to race last month.
Beshara is seeking leave to appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and will also ask for a stay of proceedings in order to prepare Happy Trails for Saturday’s Cox Plate.
The Adelaide trainer has maintained his innocence throughout the inquiry but the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board accepted the evidence of Racing Victoria’s Compliance Assurance Team (CAT) stewards who raided the stables where the horse was housed.
Happy Trails was withdrawn from the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes after the CAT members found a puncture wound on his neck indicating an illegal raceday treatment.
Under new rules regarding raceday treatment, trainers face a mandatory minimum six month ban unless special circumstances can be established.
