Wherefore art thou Romeo? Pair receives lengthy disqualifications over fake trainer charges
Ben Woodsford and Tony Romeo have been handed down long disqualifications following investigations from Racing Victoria stewards into a series of breaches involving the horses Geegees Hisword and We Deserve This.
Woodsford pleaded guilty to four charges arising from his involvement with Geegees Hisword despite not holding a Victorian trainer’s licence.
Stewards found he presented the horse for trackwork at Wangaratta on October 31, 2025, and later presented it at Wangaratta jump-outs on November 6.
He also admitted twice providing false evidence during steward interviews and refusing to continue giving evidence during a November 28 inquiry concerning both horses.
After considering his guilty pleas and prior record, stewards imposed a 15-month disqualification.
Romeo, a registered trainer, faced six charges stemming from the same investigation.
He reserved his plea on a charge alleging he allowed Woodsford, who was not licensed to train horses in Victoria, to undertake training activities with Geegees Hisword, including trackwork and presenting the horse at jump-outs.
Romeo pleaded guilty to the remaining five charges, which included twice providing false evidence to stewards during interviews.
The inquiry also uncovered a series of integrity breaches involving stable records and official declarations. Stewards found Romeo provided a falsified work diary for both horses during a stable inspection on November 20.
In addition, he submitted stable returns declaring that the horses were active at his Diggers Rest stable and under his care as trainer, declarations stewards determined were false.
After hearing submissions on penalty and taking into account Romeo’s guilty pleas and previous record, stewards imposed a total disqualification of 18 months and advised him of his right to appeal.
