Craig Kerry
Multiple group 1-winning trainer John O’Shea will have a stay of proceedings application heard on Wednesday after lodging an appeal against the severity of a four-month disqualification for improper conduct towards two Racing NSW veterinarians.
O’Shea pleaded guilty to three charges arising from a stewards’ inquiry on March 9 into the Randwick trainer’s behaviour following the scratching of Bev’s Nine on the advice of Racing NSW veterinarians on February 21 at Rosehill.
The unbeaten gelding, which won six days later at Canterbury, was declared lame behind the barriers, a decision the stable disputed on the day with vets and before stewards.
The inquiry found O’Shea went to the swab area near the raceday stalls and was heard to utter an improper comment in a raised voice referring to the veterinarians. He then approached vet Dr Claire Moore and engaged in a heated interaction during which he spoke in a raised and aggressive tone, repeatedly interrupted her and gestured with his arms while questioning the decision, the inquiry reported. It also reported Dr Carly Garling approached and O’Shea spoke in a raised and animated manner towards her.
CCTV footage of the incident, which occurred as the horse was trotted up, was shown during the inquiry, which also heard from several witnesses and the involved parties.
The three improper charges covered the uttering of an improper comment referring to the Racing NSW veterinarians, and improper conduct towards each RNSW vet. Regulations called for a minimum six-month disqualification, but stewards reduced it to four months because of O’Shea’s apology to the vets, his record, co-operation and guilty pleas.
Racing NSW confirmed O’Shea’s appeal against the severity of the ban had been lodged and he had applied for a stay of proceedings.
The legal process is not expected to disrupt the stable’s operations, including the running of Yorkshire and Linebacker in Saturday’s group 1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill. O’Shea’s co-trainer Tom Charlton has been issued with an interim trainer’s licence, but he will be required to go through the normal application process to ensure he can meet the stable’s financial obligations alone.
If the stay is granted the stay, O’Shea will continue training until the appeal is heard. That appeal is expected to take place soon.
