Trainer of Toowoomba betting plunge horse banned for 18 months
Veteran Toowoomba trainer Lex Fraser has been disqualified for 18 months after being found guilty of having two of his horses under the care of another person.
Stewards opened the inquiry after allegations General Cos and Glorious Triumph were at a property on the Darling Down under the care of a former Group One-winning trainer Ron Maund.
Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards charged Fraser, who pleaded not guilty, with allowing General Cos and Glorious Triumph to be in the care, control and training of Maund.
It was alleged the horses were at the property for a significant time before they were presented to race in September and November.
General Cos was the focus of a coordinated national betting plunge at Toowoomba in November when backed from $51 in to start at just $5.50. General Cos, who was the winner of just one race from 29 prior starts; won a C1 1400m handicap by four lengths untouched when under Fraser’s name to land the plunge.
Immediately following the race, race day stewards questioned Fraser in relation to the winning performance of the gelding and were advised that “the horse had performed well at its last start” finishing third in a Dalby Class “B” race. Fraser told stewards he was “shocked” by the long odds initially offered for General Cos, and that he expected a forward showing from the horse. Fraser added that he had backed the horse himself.
At the subsequent QRIC inquiry, stewards found Fraser guilty of having his horses in the care of another, and when imposing a penalty considered his unblemished record as a trainer in two states over more than 40 years.
There was no mention of QRIC stewards looking in to the betting of the 11th November 2017 race.
Fraser is expected to seek an internal review.
General Cos is now trained by fellow Toowoomba trainer Neville Saunders.