Moroney Avoids Suspension Over Drug Test
- Friday, 12 February 2010 05:15
Matamata trainer Paul Moroney has avoided suspension following a positive drug test from one of his horses last month.
Moroney and his Australian-based brother Mike Moroney were fined $NZ17,000 following a sentencing hearing by racing's Judicial Control Authority (JCA) in Hamilton on Friday.
The Moroney brothers had earlier admitted a drug negligence charge after their horse Mae Jinx won at Matamata on December 23 with a prohibited substance in her system.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) inspectors had requested a suspension for at least three months for Paul Moroney as it was the second time within nine months the stable had been guilty of the drug negligence charge.
They also requested a fine for him of $NZ7,000 ($A5,507) and one for Mike Moroney of $NZ3,500 ($A2,753), describing the latter as a victim in this case.
But the JCA instead fined the brothers, who train in partnership, but decided a suspension was not warranted.
They noted that Paul Moroney had planned to relinquish his licence at the beginning of the next racing season on August 1 - plans which were in place before the Mae Jinx positive test - and that a succession plan was in place.
The Moroney brothers were also ordered to pay JCA costs of $NZ5,000 ($A3,933) and NZTR costs of $NZ2,500 ($A1,966).
Paul Moroney said he was relieved to have avoided suspension but angry at some of the negative publicity which had followed the first hearing.
