Freedmans facing three-month ban over race day nebuliser use

Trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman face the prospect of a three-month disqualification after Racing Victoria urged the Victorian Racing Tribunal to impose a ban over race day treatment breaches involving two horses last year.

The Melbourne Cup-winning training partnership pleaded guilty to three charges arising from the administration of medication via a nebuliser to Kira and Moonhaven on the day they were scheduled to race at Caulfield in August.

Racing Victoria’s legal representative submitted that the breaches were systemic in nature and warranted a mandatory disqualification under the rules of racing, arguing a strong penalty was needed to reinforce the seriousness of race day treatment offences.

The tribunal reserved its decision after Wednesday’s hearing, with a penalty to be handed down on July 1.

The charges stemmed from a routine stable inspection which found staff administering medication to Kira after scratching time. Stewards subsequently discovered Moonhaven had also received nebuliser treatment earlier that morning.

While the use of a nebuliser is permitted, racing rules prohibit the administration of medication to horses on race day.