October
DecemberGive cheats a chance
I think it's time Racing Victoria Ltd reviewed its policy on banning/suspending first-time offending trainers who have been found administering illegal substances to their horses.
When a trainer is suspended many people are affected. Not only does the trainer loo\se his/her livelihood there is every chance of employees losing their jobs.
A whole business can be shut down, leaving many people unemployed and owners facing the challenge of finding some other trainer to train their horses.
An alternative to this would be to put the trainer on probation for a period 12 or more months depending on the severity of the offence. If the trainer were to reoffend a ban or suspension would be effective immediately.
During the probation period, the horses in the trainer's care would be subjected to pre- and/or post-race testing every time they raced. Stewards would make monthly visits to the offending trainer's stables and at their discretion could take samples from any horse and search the premises.
A thorough record would have to be given to the stewards on every drug purchased and administered.
Sometimes trainers find themselves under so much pressure from owners with extremely high expectations that they find themselves turning to illegal practices to get the best out of their horses.
Yes, they know it's wrong I'm sure but when faced with the huge task of getting a horse with limited ability to race successfully in group/metropolitan company, some trainers find they turn to practices that they would normally not consider.
Give these first-time offenders the benefit of the doubt. Let it be a mistake that they can learn from and help them make better choices while retaining their profession and keeping stablehands, track riders and administration staff in employment.
I'm sure that under strict guidelines and with Big Brother looking over their shoulders at every stage of their training regime, these first-time offenders will realise they can do it honestly. Everyone deserves a second chance.
Cranbourne (Vic)