Racing: More charges could be laid against Small

Disqualified trainer Geoff Small is facing further investigations relating to tranexamic acid, this time in Melbourne.

Small was disqualified for two years in Sydney yesterday but could be granted a stay of proceeding pending an appeal today, so may be back training as soon as tomorrow.

But the Herald understands Small has been told by Harness Racing Victoria stewards they are looking into possible traces of tranexamic acid in a swab returned by Zenad after he won at Moonee Valley in February.

Swabs taken from Zenad and Changeover in January and February were retrospectively tested by HRV after Changeover's Len Smith Mile positive was found.

HRV sources have confirmed that an official has met with Small to inform him they will be looking further at the Zenad swab, although it has not yet been officially ruled an irregularity.

Small has already told Australian stewards he has used tranexamic acid after being told he was allowed to by a vet, so it would seem logical that if he believed the substance was legal he has used it more than once.

With further test results yet to be returned, Small could conceivably face further investigations.

Small was not commenting for legal reasons yesterday but now faces some unusual situations.

For example:

If he does face future charges, does he even bother defending them considering any subsequent penalties could possibly be served concurrent to his current one.

If his appeal against the two-year disqualification is unsuccessful does he turn his back on harness racing or do his time and attempt a comeback.

And if he does walk away from the industry forever what does one of our most successful trainers of the last decade do for a job?

While he may overcome a one-year disqualification in the long term, Small could be lacking in energy and enthusiasm for more battles with officialdom after three years of clashes.

His disqualification will have an instant impact on champion pacer Changeover.

The great horse is scheduled to start his New Zealand Cup defence at the Alexandra Park workouts today but is unlikely to be allowed to compete.

Small's application for a stay of proceedings pending his appeal against his sentence would seem likely to be granted considering the severity of the sentence and its implications.

But it is also unlikely to be confirmed until today, meaning Small remains disqualified.

And with little chance Changeover can be changed to another trainer before today's workouts, he and all of Small's other horses could be barred from competing. While that would be only a minor hiccup for Changeover's Cup defence, Small's career is also in limbo as he awaits the appeal process.

If Small is granted a stay of proceedings and his appeal is not heard for a few months, harness racing could face the bizarre scene of Changeover defending the New Zealand Cup with Small as his trainer.

But if Small's appeal is heard and is only partially successful, he could be out of the industry inside a month.

That leaves questions over who will train Changeover and a host of other superstars pacers like Sunday's Breeders crown winner Tintin In America, Lauraella, Awesome Armbro and All Tiger.

Changeover, Tintin In America and Awesome Armbro are all owned by Auckland Trotting Club syndicates and syndicate manager Rob Carr was at yesterday's hearing in Sydney.

"I was stunned by the decision and penalty, even more than Geoff," said Carr last night.

"At this stage we are hoping for the best for Geoff and his appeal but if that doesn't go his way then we will need to make some decisions about our horses."

Considering the value and earning potential of Changeover, not to mention the number of trainers who would love to train him, it is likely a syndicate meeting would be called to see with who his future lies.