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Racing NSW Stewards today continued an inquiry opened at the Queanbeyan race meeting on Sunday, 12th May 2019 into the presentation of the three-year-old filly Create Some Magic in lieu of Stolen Gift which was accepted to compete in Race 7, the Royal Wolf/Air Force Class 1 & Maiden Plate 1600m.

Stolen Gift was withdrawn by order of the Stewards at 3:48pm on Sunday, 12th May 2019.

On Sunday, 12th May 2019, evidence was taken from licensed stablehand, Mick Hanns and licensed trainers Fred Skerbic and Jack Van Duren.

Evidence was today taken from licensed trainer Mike Petrovic via teleconference.

Mr Petrovic pleaded guilty to a charge under AR99(b) in that as the trainer of Stolen Gift, an acceptor in Race 7, the Royal Wolf/Air Force Class 1 & Maiden Plate, 1600m on Sunday, 12th May 2019, he failed to ensure that the correct horse was presented to start in the aforementioned event in that he did not have appropriate measures in place in his absence to ensure that reference was made to the Thoroughbred Identity Card of Stolen Gift, resulting in the 3yo filly Create Some Magic being erroneously presented to start as Stolen Gift.

Mr Petrovic was fined $800.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards considered Mr Petrovic’s exemplary record over more than 30 years of training and the circumstances leading up to the 12th May 2019, whereby Mr Petrovic was involved in stable accident on Thursday, 9th May 2019 and was not present at his stables thereafter as he was undergoing medical treatment.

Mr Petrovic was advised of his appeal rights.