Bryce Stanaway

Bryce Stanaway's future as a trainer in Victoria will become clearer in February after the Victorian Racing Tribunal on Tuesday adjourned a penalty hearing into a series of misconduct charges against him.

Stanaway's new legal counsel, former Racing Australia chair Frances Nelson QC, successfully applied for the adjournment until the February 3, having only taken over the case in recent days.

While neither Nelson nor Stanaway were part of Tuesday's hearing, Racing Victoria's representative Justin Hooper was in attendance and made an application for the tribunal to stand Stanaway down until the new hearing date.

Hooper said that while the stewards 'reluctantly agreed' to the adjournment, they had 'great concern' about Stanaway's ability to continue training and attending races over the summer.

"Mr Stanaway has now been represented by two different solicitors and there have been a number of adjournment applications," Hooper said.

"The stewards note that Mr Stanaway has been found guilty of very serious misconduct charges and that misconduct was directed towards officials.

"His continued presence in the industry is of great concern to stewards.

"In those circumstances, stewards wish to make an application under section 50Q(1)(g) of the Racing Act for an order that Mr Stanaway not be permitted to nominate horses."

The tribunal declined Hooper's application, although it did also invite stewards to make a written submission for further consideration within 24 hours.

The misconduct charges against Stanaway relate to an incident involving his injured horse Moorabool at the Bendigo races last October and then later at his stables at Torquay.

The trainer told Racing.com that his actions were motivated only by a desire to ensure the welfare of his mare, who has now been rehabilitated and rehomed as an equestrian horse.

"My main interest is the welfare of my horses and I feel that there are occasions where Racing Victoria staff compromise this by their instructions that may suit the broader interests more than just the horse's immediate issues," Stanaway said.

"Examples are trotting a horse up with obvious injuries to fetlock structures or long float trips to Werribee (vet hospital) rather than specialist vets nearby for more immediate attention.

"I admit that I focus on the welfare of my horses and sometimes that causes issues which are unfortunate, but it is only me trying to ensure the best of care for my horses."

Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing

If anyone has had a 'needle shy' horse you'll/they'll know what Bryce faced, I wasn't there, I can't comment on what was said, Bryce had his say, but in the end the good old boys of RVL will do their thing, most would have never ridden a horse never mind needled one, they relied on the input from the on-course vet......and his sidekicks.........I lost one of mine at Caulfield one day, broke his shoulder 4 lengths in front, jumped the crossing over at he 1400 as it was the last race and they didn't put grass clippings on it, they all had gone home.......the vet never came near me, no stewards, no-one, the vet was useless, old as God's dog and the chief stipe was as bad.......the bad old days, nothing has changed in the last 30 years, the trainer involved in this sad tale has no real platform, I just hope that with all this publicity about the new age animal welfare that they might just show some decent compassion and judgement and respect the 50 odd years Bryce has spent in our industry, he might just go another 50 with some encouragement!

A shame there are not more like him, that's one lucky horse.......made my Saturday.

http://www.racing.com/news/2021-08-06/news-lth-crafty-cruiser-returns-to-new-zealand

Retired warhorse Crafty Cruiser will embark on an equestrian career in New Zealand after returning to trainer Bryce Stanaway's hometown of Dargaville this week.

The trainer confirmed that the popular 14-year-old had left his Torquay stables for the final time, 12 months after he was retired from racing.

Stanaway said that his niece will begin riding the son of Good Journey, who won 13 races and netted more than $1 million in prizemoney during a 159-start career.

"He's gone back to my hometown where I was born, he arrived there safe and well yesterday," Stanaway said.

"He's going to do a bit of everything - dressage, show jumping and eventing - with my niece and I think he'll be even better at that than he was on the racetrack.

"A lot of people probably thought I wouldn't spend the money to send a retired horse back to New Zealand but he's more or less human this horse, I've never had a horse like him.

"Greg Pope and the crew at IRT did a brilliant job - I wouldn't fly a horse with anyone else."

Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing

djebel wrote:

How often do trainers get these things wrong ?

Marmelo never raced again.

Nickojack Cave got to the races once.

The VRC Vets seem to get it right more often than not.

You've completely missed the point djebel i.e. the mare could & can not be injected.
Google intravenous injection if need be, it'll state how easily the artery is to puncture which obviously has dire consequences.
To do this, one needs the animal perfectly still to both insert the needle then the substance which can be very thick & therefore needs to be given slowly.
How any vet believed they could safely administer to such an adrenalin charged horse who is unable to be thus injected in a calm state, at home, is beyond belief Angry

Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

He's not denying the horse was injured.

He was annoyed that they weren't taking into account the horses history.

The mare was clearly agitated, and perhaps if everyone had just calmed down, they could've sorted the situation in a more precise manner.

The way this situation has been handled has been an absolute gelatishow.

It simply cannot be repeated.

Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing

Bryce would know the horse inside out.

Shouldn't this be so of a trainer worth their salt Confused

"He knows better than the stewards and he knows better than the barrier attendants."

Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

The Victorian Racing Tribunal has been urged to overlook trainer Bryce Stanaway�s �irreverent and colourful character� when assessing penalties that could be applied over seven conduct-related charges.

VRT chairman Judge John Bowman said on Wednesday afternoon that the tribunal had reserved its decisions into the charges arising from incidents with Racing Victoria staff involving his injured horse Moorabool at the Bendigo races last October and later at Stanaway�s stables at Torquay.

Stanaway, who faces charges such as abuse, intimidation, conduct prejudicial to the image of racing and of failing to offer proper veterinary care, was not present at the hearing for its closure on Wednesday as he left the room earlier that morning claiming �I�ve had enough�.

His earlier requests for an immediate adjournment were denied.

Stanaway had earlier told the tribunal he went onto the course that day at Bendigo to stop veterinarian Dr Chris Heislers from treating Moorabool as he was concerned about the mare�s welfare.

It was alleged he behaved in an abusive and threatening manner to Heislers and was charged over his behavior towards RV barrier attendant Francesca Blount-Greene, who attended the horse, and later over his behavior towards two stewards and RV�s chief vet.

In his final submission, Justin Hooper for Racing Victoria stewards told the tribunal that Stanaway is well known in the racing industry as being an irreverent and colourful character but said: �I urge the tribunal not to dismiss Mr Stanaway�s behavoir at the heart of these charges as just Mr Stanaway being Mr Stanaway.

�In my submission there is no room to show any casual indifference to Mr Stanaway�s disgraceful conduct.

�Mr Stanaway was on his best behavior before this tribunal right up to the fireworks as your honor put it. The moment he voluntarily walked out of this hearing room.

�The tribunal finally got an understanding of something resembling the real Mr Stanaway.

�The Mr Stanaway that the stewards encountered, the Mr Stanaway that Dr Heislers encountered and the Mr Stanaway that Miss Blount-Greene encountered in the float.�

Hooper condemned Stanaway�s treatment of Heislers, claiming the trainer�s alleged threat to shoot or put down the vet had been backed-up by at least three of the witnesses.

Hooper said Stanaway�s conduct was again unacceptable later at his Torquay stables when two RV stewards along with chief veterinarian Dr Grace Forbes arrived to make an inspection of the mare, who had been found to have injured a tendon.

�Mr Stanaway�s behavior in that stable inspection was nothing short of absolutely disgraceful,� Hooper said. �That has no place in racing and no place in a workplace.

�In my submission, Mr Stanway projected himself as some who knows better that officials do. He knows better than the stewards and he knows better than the barrier attendants.

�Mr Stanaway has this difficulty in listening to anyone including members of this tribunal.

�He continually interrupted and spoke over members of this tribunal. Even in this very formal environment Mr Stanaway revealed himself to be someone who is very difficult to control because he plainly has difficulty listening and he admitted so himself.

�This inability to listen fosters and creates extreme and irrational beliefs in my submission that Mr Stanaway has difficult in letting go of.�

The VRT�s decision over the seven charges is expected within a few weeks.

Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing

Instead of bullying Bryce, why arnt they trying to do something usefull about that woman breeding and hoarding horses. Unhappy

animals before people.

I�m surprised the recent report by integrity commissioner didn�t get much more publicity.

to the victor

It looks to me like the 'bullies' have met their match Clap

Bryce Stanaway has walked out of his own hearing, claiming �I�ve had enough� as his inquiry into seven conduct-related charges entered a third day on Wednesday.

Stanaway, 62, said he took exception to being called a liar by Racing Victoria�s legal representative Justin Hooper on day two of the hearing and after his call for an immediate adjournment was refused by the Victorian Racing Tribunal, he left the court room.

After a short adjournment, the VRT rejected Stanaway�s call for an immediate adjournment into his hearing of seven charges, including abuse and intimidation, arising out of an injury to his mare Moorabool during a race at Bendigo on October 17 last year.

�I want this case adjourned to seek legal representation in Australia,� Stanaway told the tribunal. �I was unaware of the conflict and angles these lawyers would be taking.

�There are too many lies being told in his case and my lawyer in New Zealand is very concerned.

�I am going to get a lawyer, I got attacked yesterday by the lawyer (Justin Hooper for Racing Victoria stewards) after me being here and no one pulled him up over calling me a liar.

�It was in black and white that I wasn�t lying. He was trying to provoke me and wind me up.

�No, I�ve had enough.

�After what he did yesterday and called me a liar and that�s one thing I am not. I come here thinking I�d get a fair trial. I have spoken the truth straight down the line and no, I haven�t been treated right.

�I can�t go on and I am not in a state to go on.�

Hooper told the hearing that he withdrew his comment on day two concerning Stanaway and a dispute over a fact in the case.

Stanaway demanded that an incident report be tended to the hearing.

�I�ve just spoke to my lawyer,� he said. �This cannot go ahead until an incident report has been put forward. If they haven�t got it, we can�t go ahead.�

�We are going ahead,� chairman Judge John Bowman replied.

�Well, you can do it without me,� Stanaway said. �You can go on yourselves but I won�t be part of it. I asked for an adjournment as I�ve got a right to legal representation and you are refusing me.

�Thank you very much and I will see you later.�

The hearing continues.

Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!

Exactly right. For trainers like Bryce, his horses are his family. He would know how to treat them better than any jumped up industry vet. Just what happened in SA after their vets put down an injured horse after misdiagnosing it?

to the victor

Fair enough if thats the case.

animals before people.

The Hotham at Ballarat won�t miss him. He does race a lot of horses, hope it all works out.

Bryce Stanaway

Trainer Bryce Stanaway weighing up his future after guilty finding at Victorian Racing Tribunal