Latest news with #QRAP
Herald Sun
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Ron Ball's DQ Extension Quashed On Appeal
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Queensland Racing Appeals Panel (QRAP) was scathing of Queensland greyhound racing's integrity arm QRIC (Queensland Racing Integrity Commission) when overturning a further 10-year disqualification issued to former Hall of Fame greyhound trainer and convicted live baiter Ron Ball. On Tuesday, QRAP chair Kerry O'Brien AM handed down the decision that the QRIC charge be 'set aside' making the determination that 'no charge be laid' against Ball citing procedural omissions, the unacceptably long and unexplained delay and misleading communications as the reasons for decision. Ball, who prepared the great Flying Amy during his six-decade training career, fronted QRAP last month in a bid to have the additional 10-year disqualification quashed. The 83-year-old former trainer was handed a life-ban for live baiting in 2015 before the penalty was sensationally slashed to 10-years on appeal, opening the door for a potential return to the industry this year. But in the lead up to the 2015 penalty expiring, QRIC officials again disqualified Ball for another 10-years, after he admitted to being on the property and handling greyhounds for his partner and then licenced person Serena Lawrance back in October 2022. 'Ball's undisputed account was that he was at his partner Ms. Lawrence's property on 9 October 2022 as a 'one-off' incident because she was unwell, and he merely hosed out kennels for unregistered dogs,' the appeal decision stated. READ: Ball issues stinging broadside in fight to resume training career QRAP concluded that Ball's alleged rule breach was at the 'very lower end of the scale of seriousness' and the proceedings at the Stewards' inquiry were 'fundamentally flawed'. 'The Applicant (Ball) was never given the opportunity to present argument in relation to any of the options set out in GAR 169(3), let alone to respond to any properly formulated charge,' the appeal decision read. 'He was afforded no opportunity to respond by way of plea, or to make any submissions in relation to penalty.' QRAP's decision leaves the door open to Ball now reapplying for his licence which he became eligible to do in May 2025. Originally published as Former Hall Of Famer's DQ Quashed On Appeal
News.com.au
23-06-2025
- News.com.au
Rockhampton trackwork rider Chris Wearne appeals 18-month ban for striking horse with lead rope and wooden twitch
Rockhampton trackwork rider Chris Wearne has appealed the decision to ban him from holding a licence for 18 months for striking a horse with a lead rope and a wooden twitch seven times. Wearne's lawyer Gabe Hutchinson has lodged the appeal with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, arguing that the Queensland Racing Appeals Panel (QRAP) 'erred in law by imposing a penalty that was manifestly excessive'. Wearne was initially banned for 16 months for an incident captured on CCTV in September 2021 but after he appealed to QRAP, the penalty was increased to a disqualification of 18 months. Hutchinson has lodged an appeal to QCAT, arguing that QRAP's decision should be set aside and the penalty reduced to six months, taking into account the time Wearne has already served since starting his suspension on March 31. Wearne had pleaded guilty to a charge under section AR 231 of the Australian Rules of Racing which prohibits a person from committing an act of cruelty to a horse. Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards alleged that while trying to groom Menari Magic at trainer Paul Butterworth's Hendra stables in Brisbane, the then two-year-old filly bit Wearne on the arm before rearing, striking the trackwork jockey on the forearm. Wearne is accused of then striking Menari Magic with a lead rope five times and twice with a wooden twitch in the head region. In one video taken by stablehand Candice Piggott and later sent to QRIC, Wearne yelled at the horse 'guess what, round two c**t' and 'get up you f***ing rat'. In the latest appeal, Hutchinson argues that QRAP 'breached the rules of natural justice' by relying on the evidence of Piggott, who did not give direct evidence to either the stewards' inquiry or the appeals panel. He also said that QRAP had 'erred in law' by denying Wearne a discount on the penalty after he 'admitted every particular of the charge against him and accepted that he was guilty of an alternative charge, improper conduct under (section) AR 228'. Hutchinson argued that QRAP 'unreasonably and irrationally' found that Wearne did not spend a considerable amount of time, such as 45 minutes, attempting to control Menari Magic.
