Trainer banned from racing premises cannot live with wife pending appeal
Trainer John Leek was banned for three years but cannot live with his wife pending an exemption appeal.
Veteran trainer John Leek was caught attempting to stomach-tube his racehorse The Storyteller near Terang last July. Stewards found him inside the horse float on the roadside.
Leek claimed he was taking a bathroom break. Stomach-tubing is banned on race days because it is considered performance-enhancing.
The Victorian Racing Tribunal disqualified Leek for three years. The penalty created an unexpected hardship.
Under racing rules, a disqualified person cannot enter any licensed training premises. Leek's wife Andrea also trains at their shared property at Nar Nar Goon North.
Leek moved out in late August. He has applied to Racing Victoria for a special exemption to return home.
The case is yet to be heard. If granted, he could live there but could not be involved with his wife's training operation or horses.
- 72
- Trainer age
- 3 years
- Disqualification length
- Nar Nar Goon North
- Property location
- 10 kilometres from Pakenham
- Distance from racecourse
Why it mattersRacing rules treat disqualification strictly to protect the sport's integrity, but the blanket ban has separated a married couple from their home.
AustraliaThis is a Victorian racing issue that affects elite horse training; the Racing Victoria board's decision on Leek's exemption will set a precedent for how strictly the rules apply in family situations.
Corroborated bywatoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 8 d ago
