By: Grace Ramage
Racing Victoria Stewards are considering whether to appeal the suspension handed to trainer Peter Moody by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board on Thursday.
Chief Steward Terry Bailey told Racing.com’s Racing Ahead on RSN 927 on Friday that the Stewards will discuss their right to appeal the 12-month suspension, of which six is suspended, having earlier called for a two-year disqualification.
“[Appealing] is something that we’re discussing obviously, the stewards have a right of appeal,” Bailey said.
“The RAD Board yesterday never handed down any reasons for the penalty, so we would obviously like to get those reasons before we considered our position any further.”
Bailey expressed concern over the severity of the penalty, and whether the restrictions that have now been imposed on Moody are sufficient.
“In simple terms, Mr Moody’s license to train racehorses has been suspended for a period of six months, that’s basically the only restriction imposed on him. There’s nothing to stop Mr Moody from owning and racing horses, he’s just not permitted to train horses,” Bailey continued.
“Now as far as the plan going forward, it’s early days, we will require some details from Mr Moody as to what plans they wish to put in place going forward. From a Stewards’ perspective we will decide whether those plans are appropriate and not only above board but look above board.”
On Wednesday, the RAD Board cleared Moody of the most serious charge of administration for the purpose of affecting performance – one that carries a minimum three-year disqualification – instead finding him guilty of a secondary charge of administration.
It all originates from Lidari’s positive cobalt swab after running second in the Turnbull Stakes in 2014.
Lidari returned a cobalt level of 380 micrograms per litre of urine, well above the 200 micrograms per litre threshold that was introduced in April 2014.
