JOCKEY COPS LENGTHY BAN
TOP Tasmanian apprentice Kyle Maskiell has been suspended for eight months after returning a positive swab to banned substances.
Maskiell faced an inquiry in Launceston yesterday where he pleaded guilty to the charge of participating in a race meeting when under the influence of a banned substance.
The 21-year-old provided a urine sample at the night meeting in Launceston on March 24 that showed a positive result to substances that have not been revealed by Tasmania’s Office of Racing Integrity.
Tasmania’s chief thoroughbred steward Scott Quill chaired the inquiry.
Rider Maskiell’s license to ride in races has been suspended for eight months, backdated from April 12 when he was initially stood down, and will expire at midnight on December 11,” Quill said.
“His license to ride in trackwork and trials has been suspended for six months and that is due to expire at midnight on October 11 and he will need to provide clear urine samples before he is given the all-clear to resume riding. He can recommence horse-handling duties once he has provided a clear urine sample to the Office of Racing Integrity.”
The ban has effectively shut Maskiell down completely as he will not be able to continue with his horse breaking business that has grown into a thriving business.
Quill said Maskiell also has been ordered to provide proof of completion of counselling from an approved person from ORI, with a minimum of eight counselling sessions.
“In handing down the penalty, we took into consideration rider Maskiell’s guilty plea and his honesty throughout the inquiry and his previous record.”
Maskiell was suspended for three months in 2019 for testing positive to a banned substance while a trackwork rider.
Maskiell had been in great form this season riding 38 winners to April 12, to rest in the top five on the state jockeys’ premiership table.