John Leek Jr probed over The Storyteller tubing allegation
The Storyteller was scratched by Order of Stewards last Thursday from a 3100m Benchmark 70 at Warrnambool after Leek Jnr was intercepted roadside en route to the track.
Race day stewards opened and adjourned an inquiry into the 'circumstances surrounding the late scratching' of The Storyteller, a $4.40 chance at the time in pre-race markets.
Racing Victoria (RV) has confirmed The Storyteller-Leek Jnr investigation remains ongoing.
Leek Jnr politely declined to comment on the stewards' inquiry and allegations when contacted by this masthead on Tuesday, in respect of the 'ongoing investigation'.
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This masthead established RV investigative and intelligence unit stewards, Compliance Assurance Team (CAT), approached Leek Jnr parked roadside near Terang last Thursday.
Leek Jnr was allegedly found in possession of equipment which could be used for stomach-tubing the horse.
This masthead understands roadside comments from Leek Jnr form part of the stewards' evidence.
The CAT stewards wear police-style standard body cameras during integrity operations.
This masthead does not suggest Leek Jnr is guilty of any alleged breach, only that RV stewards are investigating an event roadside, which led to an ordered withdrawal of The Storyteller last Thursday.
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RV would not be drawn on whether the CAT team targeted Leek Jnr specifically, as part of a regular covert surveillance operations, or coincidently drove past the parked horse float at the opportune time.
The CAT stewards conduct random and targeted investigations to uphold Victorian racing integrity.
Under Australian Rules of Racing (AR255) stomach-tubing or being involved in such activity is banned on the day of a race, trial or jumpout, without stewards' permission.
The process involves a tube being fed through a horse's nose, down the throat and into the stomach, to administer sodium-bicarbonate dissolved in water.
The 'milkshake' is said to reduce lactic acid and help a horse run further with less fatigue.
A minimum 12-month disqualification is mandatory, in absence of special circumstances, if a person is found guilty of 'stomach-tubing or attempted stomach-tubing' on race day or one clear day prior.
The Storyteller has an acceptance to race in a 2238m Benchmark 64 on Thursday at Sale.
The four-year-old Roc De Cambes gelding, purchased for $25,000 out of an online sale in late April, has won three of five starts and more than $60,000 prizemoney for part-owner Leek Jnr and connections since the digital auction.
Gilbert Gardiner
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Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun.
@gilbertgardiner
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