Qld owner Bill Xanthopolous loses appeal
Stablehand and owner Bill Xanthopoulos has failed in his appeal against a six-month disqualification arising from an incident at a Gold Coast stable earlier this year.
Trainer Les Kelly has had part of a fine from the same infringement partly suspended on appeal.
They were dealt with at a stewards’ inquiry last month after favourite She’s A Youeffoh was a late scratching at the Gold Coast meeting on October 3.
The inquiry heard an integrity unit visited Kelly’s stables on the day of the race and found Xanthopoulos near She’s A Youeffoh, who he part-owned.
The stewards found Xanthopoulos intended to administer a digestive aid, Gastrazone, to the mare.
Xanthopolous, who pleaded not guilty, was disqualified for six months and Kelly, who also pleaded not guilty, was fined $5000.
Both asked for an internal review with Kelly being partly successful and Xanthopolous failing on all grounds.
The reviewer, Kane Ashby, said Kelly was responsible for the management of his stable’s practices and to ensure all stable employees acted in accordance with the Australian Rules of Racing.
“(However), in considering the totality of evidence and factors, I am satisfied Kelly had no prior knowledge of Mr Xanthopoulos’ intention to administer Gastrazone to She’s A Youeffoh,” Ashby said.
Ashby said considering Kelly had no previous convictions in 40 years of training he would fine suspend $3000 of his fine for two years.
But Ashby said the evidence was compelling that Xanthopoulos had intended to administer Gastrazone to She’s Youeffoh.
Xanthopolous can now take his case to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.