Disgraced trainer banned

Disgraced harness racing trainer Jesse Alford, 30, has been banned for seven years after he was caught injecting two horses with a prohibited substance.

Alford appeared at a penalty hearing before the Judicial Control Authority at Addington Raceway in Christchurch last week after pleading guilty to two charges of administering a prohibited substance on race day and one of attempting to administer a prohibited substance.

The Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) called for a ban of up to nine years, while Alford’s lawyer asked for no more than four years.

Alford briefly addressed the committee, saying he was ‘‘very remorseful’’ and the disqualification would have a ‘‘massive impact’’ on his life and family.

A Judicial Control Authority spokeswoman confirmed the authority had given Alford a seven-year ban, after factoring in a two-year discount for his early guilty plea and previous clean record.

At the penalty hearing it was revealed that RIU investigators planted a hidden camera near the Woodend Beach stables that Alford shared after receiving a tip he was doping horses.