Harness Racing Victoria has rejected Emma Stewart’s transfer of horses to partner Clayton Tonkin.
Twenty-one horses, including stars Act Now, Encipher, Hurricane Harley, Ladies In Red, Mach Dan and The Lost Storm, were transferred from Stewart to Tonkin on December 8, but stewards today disallowed the move.
HRV General Manager Integrity Rhys Harrison said stewards had acted in accordance with Australian Harness Racing Rules, which enabled the controlling body to reject stable returns as it considers appropriate.
“HRV stewards have been in conversation with Ms Stewart since the transfers were lodged," Harrison said.
"We held concerns movement of the horses into Mr Tonkin's name as trainer would circumvent the effect of any potential penalty the Victorian Racing Tribunal might impose on Ms Stewart when the matter was determined at a later date. Today stewards have advised Ms Stewart that it has rejected the transfer for these reasons."
The attempts to transfer followed stewards disqualifying the state’s leading trainer for six months on December 5 at a hearing in which she plead guilty to administering an intravenous drip within one clear day of racing.
Stewart appealed the penalty and sought a stay of proceedings, which HRV stewards opposed but was granted by Victoria Racing Tribunal chairman Judge John Bowman. The tribunal will next hear the matter in a directions hearing on January 29.