Leading NSW Southern Districts trainer Trevor Sutherland has had a three-year disqualification set aside on appeal. The six-time premiership winner successfully appealed a stewards inquiry decision after an investigation was launched into the slaughter of two retired racehorses by a third party. The most serious charge saw Sutherland found guilty of having disposed of racehorses Redfu and Rozzi in April last year, in the knowledge they were to be 'destroyed' in contravention of Racing NSW's rules. Sutherland pleaded not guilty to the change and has maintained his innocence throughout the six-month long saga. The appeals panel, which heard Sutherland's case on November 6, laid down its decision on Wednesday. It found that Sutherland's intent when sending the horses to registered owner Donnchadh Brown, who has been disqualified for four years, did not breach LR114(5)(e). The panel also found that Sutherland's appeals in relation to penalties imposed for breaches of AR52 and AR229(h) should be heard as soon as reasonably possible. Those charges surround the paperwork of Bless You Toby, who was found to be deceased in July. Sutherland pleaded guilty to a charge of having failed to report to Racing Australia, by lodging the relevant death notification form, that Bless You Toby was found to be deceased on July 7. He also pleaded guilty to making a false declaration on July 13 that he lodged a stable return that Bless You Toby was spelling in Yass, when he was aware the horse had died a week earlier. Both charges attracted a six-month disqualification, which were being served concurrently with his longer sentence. Neither Sutherland nor Racing NSW officials could be reached for comment.
Leading NSW Southern Districts trainer Trevor Sutherland has had a three-year disqualification set aside on appeal.
The six-time premiership winner successfully appealed a stewards inquiry decision after an investigation was launched into the slaughter of two retired racehorses by a third party.
The most serious charge saw Sutherland found guilty of having disposed of racehorses Redfu and Rozzi in April last year, in the knowledge they were to be 'destroyed' in contravention of Racing NSW's rules.
Sutherland pleaded not guilty to the change and has maintained his innocence throughout the six-month long saga.
The appeals panel, which heard Sutherland's case on November 6, laid down its decision on Wednesday.
It found that Sutherland's intent when sending the horses to registered owner Donnchadh Brown, who has been disqualified for four years, did not breach LR114(5)(e).
The panel also found that Sutherland's appeals in relation to penalties imposed for breaches of AR52 and AR229(h) should be heard as soon as reasonably possible.
Those charges surround the paperwork of Bless You Toby, who was found to be deceased in July.
Sutherland pleaded guilty to a charge of having failed to report to Racing Australia, by lodging the relevant death notification form, that Bless You Toby was found to be deceased on July 7.
He also pleaded guilty to making a false declaration on July 13 that he lodged a stable return that Bless You Toby was spelling in Yass, when he was aware the horse had died a week earlier.
Both charges attracted a six-month disqualification, which were being served concurrently with his longer sentence.
Neither Sutherland nor Racing NSW officials could be reached for comment.
