By: Racing.Com Staff

Warwick Farm trainer Con Karakatsanis has been hit with a third disqualification in just six months, in this instance a 12-month DQ after being found guilty of raceday treatment of Howmuchdoyouloveme.

The Group 1-winning trainer was handed down the year-long ban after Racing NSW stewards found him guilty of the charge under Australian Rule of Racing 178E(1), which relates to raceday treatment.

The trainer was found guilty of ‘administering or causing to be administered medication to Howmuchdoyouloveme on raceday 17 September 2016’.

Karakatsanis immediately lodged an appeal against the decision, and the Racing NSW Appeal Panel later granted a stay of proceedings after the disqualification had been set to begin on Thursday and expire on February 9, 2018.

Karakatsanis is already appealing four- and six-month disqualifications, with those appeals to be heard on February 20 and 21 respectively, and the appeal against the latest penalty will be likewise be heard on February 21 – with a stay of proceedings having been issued for all penalties.

The four-month sanction was handed down in September last year, after he was found guilty of having five horses in his stable that were being trained by their owner.

Owner Angelis Vasili was also disqualified for four months, for training the horses at his property.

Karakatsanis was also handed a six-month sanction for giving false evidence to stewards, after they ordered the withdrawal of Howmuchdoyoulove me on September 17.

Racing NSW noted that Karakatsanis sought an adjournment to obtain expert veterinary advice in relation to the two charges he faced, but no evidence was presented at Thursday’s hearing.

In related news, the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board will hear an appeal from track rider Kylie McKechnie on Monday at 9:30am.

McKechnie had her permit to ride trackwork suspended for three months, after being found guilty of a charge under AR81A(1)(b).

McKechnie failed to deliver a urine sample, as directed by stewards, at Ballarat on January 11. She is appealing against the decision and severity of penalty.

McKechnie rides trackwork for Ballarat-based trainer Matt Cumani.