Trainer to appeal 10month cobalt ban
TRAINER Richard Laming will appeal a 10-month disqualification after his unsuccessful Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal review of an original threemonth suspension.
The escalation will see the matter heard before the Victorian Court of Appeal on a date to be fixed.
Laming politely directed News Corp to barrister Damian Sheales when contacted on Wednesday.
The sanction stems from a cobalt presentation in May 2018 involving horse Iam Ekstraordinary at Ballarat.
Cranbourne horseman Laming, who pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, received a threemonth ban from the Victorian Racing Tribunal
last February.
Racing Victoria at the time asked the VRT to consider a 10-month disqualification (presentation) and two-month suspension (poor record keeping) to be served concurrently.
After hearing the review last November, VCAT member Judge Jenkins this week aligned with Racing Victoria, citing Laming’s history and “continuing reckless indifference” to his responsibilities as a trainer.
Laming has breached prohibited substance rules five times since 2010, with sanctions ranging from small fines to a three-year disqualification.
“The penalty in this case, particularly considering Mr Laming’s poor compliance record, should be sufficient to convey a strong message to the racing industry and the wider public,” Judge Jenkins said.
“Licensed trainers cannot divest themselves of their responsibilities by the act of delegation.
“Regular active operational oversight is essential.
“It should also send the message that licensed trainers must take an active interest in the maintenance of treatment records … it is the trainer who is responsible for the keeping of treatment records, not his staff.”