Caulfield trainer John Sadler has been suspended for six weeks after pleading guilty to an improper conduct charge.
Racing Victoria stewards charged Sadler over his conduct before and after Observational was scratched from the Group Three Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on November 18.
They alleged Sadler made comments to chief steward Terry Bailey in telephone calls on the morning of the race and in person, again towards Bailey and deputy chief steward Robert Cram, at Sandown that day.
Observational was scratched following an elevated TC02 reading in an out-of-competition test the previous day raising stewards concerns the horse had been treated within one clear day of the race, which Sadler denied.
The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board suspended Sadler from December 25 until February 5.
Stewards are continuing their investigations into the circumstance that led to Observational’s scratching.
Credit: AAP