‘TRAINER’ SLIP-UP TO GO UNDER SPOTLIGHT
LEVIATHAN owner Lloyd Williams will be interviewed by Victorian racing authorities over comments he made indicating he is the head trainer at Macedon Lodge.
Williams, who won his sixth Melbourne Cup with Rekindling earlier this month, said in an interview with Sydney’s Sky Sports Radio he was in charge of the operation as chairman of the board, chief executive and head trainer.
Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson told broadcaster racing.com he was surprised by the comment.
“We were surprised by his comments suggesting he is the head trainer,” Thompson said.
“He is not registered as a trainer.
“We had previously had conversations with Lloyd and visited his facilities to understand the relationship of the trainers on site there and his relationship with them and … we’d been satisfied that it was more an executive chairmantype relationship rather than a head trainer-type role.
“Based on his comments ... it is appropriate we explore that again. I have asked the integrity team to reach out to Lloyd and try to establish what the relationships are and what the roles are up at the facilities.
“It is important in the short term that we understand what the structures are at Macedon Lodge and how it operates.”
Liam Howley is expected to be approved as the licensed trainer for Macedon Lodge after Robert Hickmott’s exit.