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Raceday Laming

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Bonjour View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Bonjour Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Feb 2021 at 6:48am
FWIW, My Mrs and I have raced horses with Grahame Begg [Randwick] Greg Bennett [Scone] and Leon Macdonald [ADL] and now young Ethan Ensby at Ballina........we decided not to send horses to Grahame down at Mornington as we will NEVER race a horse in Victoria again......as long as my arse points to the ground.

We found over the years that we couldn't trust the VRC and then RVL, although I trained at Flemington and was never suspended or disqualified we lost faith in that jurisdiction, the stewards in particular.......having trained through the underbelly years you can just imagine, the head steward in particular left us bewildered, and nothing changed over the years, what Kate Goodrich went though should have been front page news, nothing they do can repair what they did........
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote TJMitchell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Mar 2021 at 1:11pm
Read the bottom first for all you non-twitter users



Time is a flat circle
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mr Grieves Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Mar 2021 at 1:02am
speaking of fleas #ralphy
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote TJMitchell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 6:43pm
Time is a flat circle
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Second Chance Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 7:12pm
Totally shambolic.  Ermm

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shawy38 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2021 at 7:41pm
What a gelatishow! Must be based out of Canberra these days.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TJMitchell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Mar 2021 at 10:53am
Whoever the steward is, is on 'restricted duties'
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shawy38 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2021 at 10:25am

RV counter-appeals Laming

Racing Victoria has lodged a counter-appeal to that put forward by trainer Richard Laming over his three-month suspension for presenting a horse to race with illegal levels of cobalt.

Laming was issued the ban by the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) in February before immediately appealing to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) against the severity of the penalty. He was also granted a stay of proceedings.

Racing Victoria confirmed on Tuesday that stewards too had lodged an appeal against the penalty via an official statement, which read: 

"Mr Laming lodged an appeal with VCAT against the severity of a three-month suspension handed to him by the Victorian Racing Tribunal last month after he pleaded guilty to presenting a horse to race with cobalt above the permitted threshold.

"On the basis that the stewards requested a penalty of 10-months disqualification before the Victorian Racing Tribunal for that offence, they have lodged a counter-appeal so that VCAT considers the position of both parties in making its decision as to an appropriate penalty."

Laming was charged and ultimately convicted by the VRT of presenting galloper Iam Ekstraordinary to race at Ballarat in 2018 with illegal levels of cobalt in is system. He was found not guilty of the more serious charge of administering cobalt to the galloper.

Late last month, RV withdrew charges against Laming for alleged raceday treatment of mare Jamaican Rain in 2019 before launching an immediate review into the case.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TJMitchell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2021 at 7:29pm

Review into the withdrawal of charges in Laming case



During a hearing before the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) on 25 February 2021, Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards withdrew charges laid against licensed trainer Richard Laming, assistant trainer Marnu Potgieter and stable employee MD Zeyaur Rahman.

The charges related to the alleged or attempted stomach tubing of Jamaican Rain which was engaged to run in the Group 3 Jim Beam Stakes (1400m) at Flemington Racecourse on 5 November 2019.

Upon notification of the withdrawal of the charges, RV management immediately commenced a review of the matter and advised the independent Victorian Racing Integrity Board (VRIB) which has been kept apprised throughout.

The review confirmed that, following his first day of giving oral evidence before the VRT on 23 February 2021, Stipendiary Steward, Dion Villella, initiated contact with fellow Stipendiary Steward, Mark Stevens, on three occasions over three days.

As Mr Stevens was also scheduled to give evidence at the hearing, Mr Villella’s contact was in contravention of an order of the VRT which prevented witnesses from speaking to other witnesses or interested parties during an adjournment.

In the first instance, Mr Villella contacted Mr Stevens by telephone seeking to confirm an aspect of the oral evidence he had already tendered to the hearing, specifically asking whether he had influenced the contents of Mr Stevens’ written statement on the case which was prepared months prior. During the brief telephone call, Mr Stevens confirmed that Mr Villella had not instructed him what to write in his statement.

The review found that Mr Villella made the phone call from a phone which was not his own and at the end of the call asked Mr Stevens to remove the call from his call register.

Mr Villella then approached Mr Stevens in the foyer of the VRT prior to the commencement of proceedings the following morning on 24 February 2021. In doing so, Mr Villella initiated a further brief exchange with Mr Stevens in which he sought to reaffirm his telephone enquiry of the preceding evening.

Mr Stevens notified RV legal counsel representing the Stewards in this matter of the phone call during a break in proceedings that morning prior to Mr Villella giving further oral evidence to the VRT.

On the day proceedings were withdrawn by RV Stewards, Mr Villella initiated contact with Mr Stevens for a third time making a phone call to Mr Stevens to enquire as to whether he had disclosed their brief conversations of 23 and/or 24 February to a third party. Mr Stevens indicated that he had, and the call terminated shortly thereafter.

Whilst there was no evidence of attempts to collude, falsify, or fabricate evidence, based on Mr Villella’s telephone call and in the interests of maintaining RV’s commitment to the highest standards of integrity, legal counsel advised RV to withdraw the charges. This advice was accepted and enacted by RV Stewards on 25 February 2021.

The review determined that Mr Villella’s behaviour in contacting his colleague, in breach of a direct instruction of the VRT, amounts to serious misconduct and does not reflect the standards required of an RV Integrity Services Department (ISD) member.

Having thoroughly considered all the circumstances, including the strong record of Mr Villella over more than 25 years of employment with RV and his remorse, RV determined that the appropriate action was for Mr Villella to be disciplined in respect of the matter.

Mr Villella has been relieved of his position as Manager of the Compliance Assurance Team, counselled for his conduct, and will undertake additional education and training to ensure this conduct is not repeated.

The additional education and training being provided to Mr Villella will also be provided more broadly to ISD team members.

RV is satisfied of Mr Villella’s ability to undertake a revised role as a Raceday Stipendiary Steward, in the future, after a period of leave.

Having reviewed documents relating to RV’s review of the matter, the VRIB has advised RV it had undertaken a reasonable process and that it was open to RV to impose the proposed disciplinary action.

In providing this update, RV would also like to acknowledge Mr Stevens’ role in bringing this matter to light and thank him for upholding the high standard of integrity expected of ISD team members in challenging circumstances. In doing so, RV further notes the VRIB’s endorsement of Mr Stevens’ conduct.

RV acknowledges the importance of maintaining the highest integrity standards to ensure participant and community confidence in the sport. This is and remains a primary focus for RV.

RV notes that the Racing Integrity Commissioner continues to examine the conduct of Mr Villella and it will continue to cooperate fully with that examination process and, if appropriate to do so, will make a further statement at its conclusion.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Good Old Ted Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2021 at 7:41pm
Crooks
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shawy38 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2021 at 8:12pm
Taking advice from Scotty's handbook
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Bonjour Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2021 at 7:07am
And Dion's still there? Good God, I'm not in Laming's corner, but by gee transparency? Integrity? the joint is getting closer to NZ everyday.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Batman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2021 at 8:10am
At least RV have come clean about what happened, so that shows some good intent. In saying that, the three persons of interest must feel very lucky that Villella stuffed up so badly in contacting Stevens. That looks like it will allow them to walk free from quite a serious charge. 
Based on past history, it wont be long before another misdemeanor comes from that stable.
WinkWink
“Gambling has brought our family closer together. We had to move to a smaller house.”
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bonjour Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2021 at 8:47am
Yep, serial offenders eventually get run over by the karma bus.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TJMitchell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2021 at 10:28am
Unfortunately in this game the karma bus takes them right back to their stable eventually and we start again.
Time is a flat circle
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rusty nails Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2021 at 10:37am
Originally posted by Batman Batman wrote:

At least RV have come clean about what happened, so that shows some good intent. In saying that, the three persons of interest must feel very lucky that Villella stuffed up so badly in contacting Stevens. That looks like it will allow them to walk free from quite a serious charge. 
Based on past history, it wont be long before another misdemeanor comes from that stable.
WinkWink
That’s a sackable offence.
Why hasn’t he been?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote linghi11 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 May 2021 at 11:51pm
well well well, look who's back 
to the victor
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gay3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jan 2022 at 5:05pm

Trainer to appeal 10-month cobalt disqualification

Trainer Richard Laming will appeal a 10-month disqualification after his unsuccessful Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal review of an original three-month suspension.

The escalation will see the matter heard before the Victorian Court of Appeal on a date to be fixed.

Laming politely directed News Corp to barrister Damian Sheales when contacted on Wednesday.

The sanction stems from a cobalt presentation in May 2018 involving horse Iam Ekstraordinary at Ballarat.

Cranbourne horseman Laming, who pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, received a three-month ban from the Victorian Racing Tribunal last February.

Racing Victoria at the time asked the VRT to consider a 10-month disqualification (presentation) and two-month suspension (poor record keeping) to be served concurrently.

After hearing the review last November, VCAT member Judge Jenkins this week aligned with Racing Victoria, citing Laming’s history and “continuing reckless indifference” to his responsibilities as a trainer.

Laming has breached prohibited substance rules five times since 2010, with sanctions ranging from small fines to a three-year disqualification.

“The penalty in this case, particularly considering Mr Laming’s poor compliance record, should be sufficient to convey a strong message to the racing industry and the wider public,” Judge Jenkins said.

“Licensed trainers cannot divest themselves of their responsibilities by the act of delegation.

“Regular active operational oversight is essential.

“It should also send the message that licensed trainers must take an active interest in the maintenance of treatment records … it is the trainer who is responsible for the keeping of treatment records, not his staff.”

Iam Ekstraordinary’s elevated cobalt levels has previously been linked to a Laming-approved injectable vitamin regimen, which the horseman delegated staff to implement the “haphazard” program.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TJMitchell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jan 2022 at 5:21pm
At what point do you just take the license away from repeat offenders?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gay3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jan 2022 at 6:00pm
Has there ever been a precedence set? Unhappy
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote djebel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jan 2022 at 6:59pm
How often are they renewed ?

Are racing bodies required to simply renew a trainers licence ?
reductio ad absurdum
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote djebel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jan 2022 at 7:00pm
And it's great to see elevated cobalt readings are still considered cheating.

Some in the racing media are peddling the idea that it is not performance enhancing. 
reductio ad absurdum
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acacia alba Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jan 2022 at 9:39pm
If its not performance enhancing, whats it for ??  Confused Can they explain the reason they gave it ?  Wacko
animals before people.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote linghi11 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jan 2022 at 11:29am
It’s often vit B12 - added to almost every horse supplement known to man. It’s often added to feeds, found in soil, etc. it’s important to look at levels found and it is high here but could be explained with (illegal) raceday administration of legal supplements. 
Just recently, Mitch Freedman was found to be not guilty because the feed he used - Hygain Release - was found to have above acceptable levels added. 
to the victor
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