Rules are rules or petty charges?

IN RECENT years he has courted controversy, but is the latest incident little more than a storm in a tea cup?

In fact, his latest alleged violation of the rules is something 99.9 – if not 100 – per cent of stables throughout Australia would be guilty of breaking.

Even as this is being read, a trainer somewhere across the nation is allowing the rule to be broken!

Yesterday South Australian stewards opened an inquiry after discovering unlicensed person Nathan Jack had performed “an activity regulated by licence” with three pacers trained by Amanda Turnbull.

As such Jack was charged under Rule 91 part (1)(a) and part (2)…..91.(1)  A person shall not carry on an activity regulated by licence –

(a)  if that person is not the holder of a current licence;

(2)  A person who fails to comply with any provision of sub rule (1) is guilty of an offence.

In a press release stewards explained the manner in which Jack had contravened the rules.

“Mr Jack when not the holder of a current licence had performed tasks including the feeding of horses in training, an activity regulated by licence, in regards to the three horses trained by Amanda Turnbull.”

As a result of their finding stewards scratched Turnbull’s trio from tonight’s Globe Derby meeting, including Miss Lemon and Treasure Rainbow which were among the leading chances in a $50,000 Southern Cross Final on the strength of their heat wins.

“Stewards could not be satisfied that since racing last Saturday night the horses had been in the care of a person currently licensed and properly appointed by trainer Amanda Turnbull.”

No doubt plenty will be stating “there has to be more to it”, but we can only go on the facts presented, which are Jack was caught feeding horses.

As mentioned earlier, would there be a trainer in Australia who hasn’t allowed an unlicensed person help feed their horses?

This is not suggesting some rules can be broken, but does highlight how easy, or simple, it is for a trainer to break a rule.

It’s something to keep in mind next time you as a trainer ask or allow your unlicensed partner, kids, grandkids, friend to help – even if for five minutes – with a task that goes against the rules!