Maher to fight charges over ownership claims

CIARON Maher will fight improper behaviour charges levelled at him regarding the ownership of five horses in his stable, including star mare Azkadellia.

Maher made a brief statement protesting his innocence.

“I strongly refute the allegations and I look forward to presenting my position at the RAD Board,” Maher said.

Stewards allege Maher’s former stable foreman Ben Connolly was a front for disgraced conman Peter Foster while owning five horses in the stables and that the trainer was aware of it.

Stewards have charged Connolly with two counts of improper and dishonourable action. Maher faces those charges and two others of conduct prejudicial to the image, interests and welfare of racing.

And in another blow to a young trainer yesterday, Ballarat’s Matt Cumani was suspended for two months and fined $20,000 by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board for not alerting stewards to a case of strangles in his stable.

Cumani pleaded guilty to two charges relating to not telling stewards that there was a case of strangles, a highly infectious equine disease, in his stables between October 27 and November 23 last year.