Owner and bookmaker Stephen Walters has been handed a one-year ban and a $4000 fine after an inquiry found him guilty of illegal betting activity.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tasmania’s Office of Racing Integrity concluded Walters had placed bets against his own horses on seven occasions between January 8, 2017 and September 24, 2017 for a total profit of $3600.
Inquiry stewards took into account Walters’ co-operation with the inquiry, personal circumstances during the period in question, previous good record over 15 years and his contribution to the racing industry when issuing the penalty.
The ban will come into effect immediately and will expire at midnight on April 19.
The inquiry also fined Tasmania’s leading trainer Ben Yole $500 for procuring an unregistered product for his racing stables.
Yole’s prior good record, co-operation with the inquiry and pledge to review husbandry practices was considered in the penalty.
Victorian-based driver and trainer Robert Walters, brother to Stephen, was cleared of any wrongdoing in an investigation into the running of the Sea FM Mobile at Devonport on July 14 last year.
The inquiry considered 67 exhibits over the course of three sittings, but could not find evidence to suggest Walters had employed unlawful tactics on third place-getter Ebonyallstarzz.
Yole and Walters were notified of their rights to appeal their penalties.
The inquiry was headed by chairman and former Sydney steward Ray Murrihy as well as John Zucal and Adrian Crowther.