Peter Moody’s outburst at Pakenham on Wednesday has received immediate support from the New South Wales industry consultation group and Sydney’s leading trainer Chris Waller.
An emotional Moody took aim at the Racing Australia board, Racing Victoria board and the RV integrity department after the withdrawal of Lady Tatia from the Berry Rural Fencing Handicap (1600m) due to a raceday treatment breach.
Moody acknowledged he had broken the rules when a staff member mistakenly put a SwellDOWN poultice on one of the mare’s legs on Wednesday morning but labelled the raceday treatment regulations as “ridiculous”, adding the stewards should have used their discretion to allow the mare to run.
“It was my fault and my responsibility,” Moody told the Channel 7 broadcast. “But penalise me, don’t penalise the owners.
“It’s something that should have been handled in a common sense manner.”
NSW Racing Industry Consultation Group (RICG) chairman and NSW Trainers Association chief executive Steve McMahon said the matter has been brewing for quite a while and Racing Australia’s handling of raceday treatment issue has left many trainers “angry and frustrated”.
“This week RICG unanimously resolved to approach Racing Australia over a lack of proper consultation,” McMahon said.
“We want meaningful consultation as we feel they need to take into account more of the impact all these charges have on the horse and participants.
“I spoke to Peter Moody today. Like him people are angry and frustrated.”
Waller, a board member of the NSW Trainers’ Association, weighed into the issue after his sole Canterbury winner Murvate took out the TAB.com.au Benchmark 70 Handicap (1250m).
“I’d like to take this opportunity to throw my support behind Peter Moody,” Waller said.
“I just think what’s happened today is quite, I wouldn’t say unbelievable – it just seems to be happening every week in racing – aren’t we all here for the better of the sport? Shouldn’t we be here promoting our sport rather than just bringing it down?
“I challenge Racing Australia to start doing that, bring us all together, get us back on track because we’ve got an amazing sport.
“We’re all about integrity. Our sport is tested and regulated harsher than any other sport.”
Racing Australia chief executive Peter McGauran responded to the claims by stating, “Draft rules are provided to both the Australian Trainers’ Association and the New South Wales Trainers’ Association before consideration by each individual Principal Racing Authority board and the Racing Australia Board.”