Racing: Brawling Jenkins cops a three count

MELBOURNE - Former Cambridge horseman Brian Jenkins, the trainer of 1998 Melbourne Cup winner Jezabeel, has been suspended for three months.

Jenkins was found guilty of improper conduct after being charged by Racing Victoria stewards.

He pleaded not guilty, despite admitting during a hearing that he punched and kicked fellow Cranbourne trainer Ray Mathews during an incident on April 30.

Jenkins, whose suspension will start on October 3, was also fined $5000 when the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board handed down its decision yesterday.

He has been preparing Figure Of Speech for this year's Cup.

Mathews pleaded not guilty to an improper conduct charge. The charge was dismissed.

Both admitted landing punches and as the fracas continued Jenkins admitted to kicking Mathews in self-defence.

The tension was apparent at Monday's board hearing, as first Jenkins, then Mathews gave their version of what triggered the altercation, as reported by the Herald-Sun.

The board heard that as Mathews was hosing a horse down after trackwork, Jenkins asked him not to use his sponge.

"He continued and I said, 'C'mon, mate, put the thing back.' He said, 'Yeah, yeah,' then all I can remember is a fist coming at me. He king-hit me to the left side of my face," Jenkins said.

Board chairman Judge Russell Lewis said he was puzzled why Mathews would assault Jenkins when he was attending to a horse.

"It doesn't make a lot of sense. It would be a dangerous thing to do," he said.

Mathews told the board Jenkins was the agitator.

"I turned my back and was struck by a round arm to my left ear," he said.

After attempting to fend off Jenkins with his open hands, Jenkins pulled Mathews' jumper over his head. "He then kicked me once in the nuts and once just above," Mathews said.

Mathews, who tried to qualify for the 1968 Olympic Games as a light welterweight boxer, admitted he landed "at least one punch".

Jenkins required treatment at Langwarrin Medical Clinic.