On Friday, 23 February 2018, Racing NSW Stewards were provided with a brief of evidence from Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) in respect to the Lovani inquiry.
In particular, the brief contains the evidence RVL will rely upon in respect to a charge issued against licensed Queensland trainer Mr Liam Birchley under AR175(a), which particularises that on 3 November 2011, 6 November 2012 and 3 November 2015, he engaged in a practice that was dishonest, corrupt or fraudulent, improper or dishonourable, in that he was a party to the administration of alkalinising agents and/or medications to a horse or horses on a raceday.
Having regard to the brief of evidence and the responsibility of Racing NSW to protect the image, interests and integrity of racing, Racing NSW Stewards have required Mr Birchley to show cause as to why the provisions of AR50 should not be invoked against him in respect of declining to receive or reject the nominations of horses trained by Mr Birchley for races in New South Wales.
AR50. All nominations and entries are subject to approval, and the Committee of any Club, or the Stewards, may decline to receive, or at any time after having received, reject any nomination or entry without giving any reason for so doing. If any nomination or entry be rejected under this Rule, the fees paid in respect thereof shall be refunded.
Mr Birchley has indicated to Racing NSW Stewards that he will provide submissions in response to the show cause notice shortly, at which time Stewards shall give full consideration to the matter.
