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Before the Racing NSW Appeal Panel

Nick Heywood Licensed Jockey Nick Heywood lodged an appeal against conviction and penalty after being found guilty by the stewards under AR137(a) after his ride on Notre Reve in Race 7 (Class 3 Handicap 1200m) at Wagga Wagga Racecourse on Thursday, 31 August 2017. On this date Mr Heywood was suspended for a period commencing on Sunday, 3 September 2017 and to expire on Tuesday, 19 September 2017 on which day he may resume riding. This appeal was heard on Friday, 8 September 2017 commencing at 9.30am at the office of Racing NSW.

The panel gave the following orders: 1 Appeal on conviction dismissed. 2 Conviction and orders of the stewards is confirmed. 3 Appeal against severity of suspension allowed. 4 Penalty of 9 meeting suspension set aside, in lieu a penalty of 5 meeting suspension is imposed commencing on Sunday, 10 September 2017 and to expire on Monday, 18 September 2017 on which day he may ride. 4 Appeal deposit refunded.

Dennis Mitchell Mr Dennis Mitchell lodged an appeal against conviction and penalty after being found guilty by the stewards under AR 175(o) and AR175A on 6 June 2017 when employed as Australian Turf Club (ATC) General Manager, Security, Risks and Investigations. On the 16th June 2017 Mr Mitchell lodged the appeal outside the specified 2 days after decision by Stewards. On application of the appellant due to exceptional circumstances, that was not opposed by Stewards, the Appeal Panel has exercised its discretion under LR 106(2)(c) to allow the appeal out of time due to exceptional circumstances. This appeal has been relisted for Thursday, 5 October 2017 commencing at 9.30am at the office of Racing NSW.

Hunter Kilner Licensed Trainer Hunter Kilner has lodged an appeal against conviction and penalty of a 3 month suspension imposed on him by the Stewards. Mr Kilner reserved his plea under AR178AB(1)(b) that at approximately 9.00am on the morning Tuesday 11 July 2017 licensed trainer Mr Hunter Kilner did, without the permission of the Stewards, inject the racehorse Steve’s Surprise on two occasions, with such injections being within One Clear Day prior to 12.01am on Wednesday 12 July 2017, on which day the gelding was engaged to run in the Ramornie Handicap 1200m at Grafton racecourse. On application of the Appellant, which was not opposed by the Stewards, the penalty imposed by Stewards is stayed until further order of the Panel. A date for this appeal is yet to be set.

Paul Murray Licensed Trainer Paul Murray has lodged an appeal against conviction and penalty after being found guilty by the Stewards under AR 175(h)(i), AR 175(h)(ii), AR 178, AR 80E(1) and AR 177B(5). Mr Murray was disqualified for a total of 3 ½ years, thus allowing Mr Murray to reapply for his trainers licence on 8 September 2020. This followed the detection of a prohibited substance in a stored sample taken from Alma’s Fury after that horse was placed 2nd in the Doncaster Prelude on 13 April 2013 and the discovery of a bottle labelled “Concentrated Trace Mineral” at Mr Murray’s stables on 17 June 2014. On application of the Appellant, which was not opposed by the Stewards, the penalty imposed by Stewards is stayed until further order of the Panel.

Please note that the dates of 22 May 2017 to 24 May 2017 and if required a further two days 7,8 June 2017 scheduled for hearing this appeal have now been vacated pending the outcome of decision of the Victorian Court of Appeal in the matters of O’Brien and Mark Kavanagh in respect of related legal points. New dates will be notified as soon as they are settled.

Before the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal

Angelis Vasili Racing NSW has lodged an appeal with the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal against the leniency of penalty in the decision of the Racing NSW Appeal Panel. The Panel, when confirming a finding of guilt for a breach of AR175(a), imposed a fine of $10,000 on Registered Owner Mr Angelis Vasili in lieu of a penalty of 4 months disqualification. A date for this Appeal is yet to be set.

An application by Mr Vasili to lodge his own appeal out of time was rejected by the Tribunal under clause 6(7) of the Racing Appeals Tribunal Regulation 2015.

Mr Vasili has challenged the Tribunal’s decision to the Supreme Court. The parties have agreed and the Tribunal notes and adopts the position of both parties that the Tribunal take no further action in this appeal pending the resolution of the Supreme Court proceedings.

Samuel Kavanagh Samuel Kavanagh has lodged an appeal to the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal against the decision of the Racing NSW Appeal Panel to disqualify him for a total of six (6) years and three (3) months and fine him $3000 for breaches of a number of Australian Rules of Racing.

Tom Brennan Dr Tom Brennan has lodged an appeal to the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal against the decision of the Racing NSW Appeal Panel to disqualify him for a total of four (4) years for breaches of a number of Australian Rules of Racing.

Adam Matthews Racing NSW has lodged an appeal with the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal against the decision of the Racing NSW Appeal Panel to uphold an appeal by Dr Adam Matthews against five charges.

Please note that the dates of 30 May 2017 to 2 June 2017 scheduled for hearing the Kavanagh, T Brennan and A Matthews appeals have now been vacated pending the outcome of decision of the Victorian Court of Appeal in the matters of O’Brien and Mark Kavanagh in respect of related legal points. New dates will be notified as soon as they are settled.