Trainer’s life ban overturned
Prolific winning Tasmanian trainer Anthony Bullock has had his lifetime ban from the industry quashed on appeal.
Bullock, who has been training for more than four decades, was handed a lifetime disqualification last October after the Tasmanian Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) found him guilty of “possessing an animal part capable of being used as bait, quarry or a lure.”
The investigation stemmed from a probe into the living conditions of greyhounds at Bullock’s Exeter property which ultimately cleared the premiership winning trainer of any wrongdoing, with investitime gators finding that conditions were “broadly compliant” with the rules of racing.
During an inspection at the property, however, investigators uncovered the tail of a pademelon, resulting in Bullock being charged and ultimately found guilty of “possessing an animal part capable of being used as a lure”.
Bullock staunchly denied the charge, pleading not guilty, and after being handed a lifeban quickly moved to appeal the decision with the Tasmanian Racing Appeal Board.
Bullock’s legal representatives argued that the tail was placed in a location on the property which was “not being utilised for the purposes of training and had not been used for a considerable amount of time” asserting it was “likely planted by animal welfare activists.”
It was an argument that ultimately proved successful, with the Tasmanian Racing Appeal Board on Tuesday overturning the lifetime ban
The overturning of the decision paves the way for Bullock to return to training with immediate effect.