Racing: Small appeal to be heard next year

South Auckland harness trainer Geoff Small's appeal against a six-month disqualification has been deferred until early next year, with a full rehearing to be held.

Small has also sought a judicial review, which will be considered by the High Court on February 1.

Small was outed for six months and fined $5000 by a Judicial Control Authority panel in November for committing an act detrimental to the interests of harness racing and using an insulting, abusive word referring to NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club veterinary surgeon Corin Murfitt.

The incident involved the late scratching of Small's pacer All Tiger from a race at Addington in October, which followed the decision by stewards, on Murfitt's advice, to withdraw another Small horse, Changeover, from the race because of an injury.

His appeal was set down for today and tomorrow, but Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) said yesterday it was deferred until January 13 and 14, with the consent of all parties to allow sufficient time for a rehearing.

It will be heard by Sir John Hansen and Professor Geoff Hall.

Small also filed an application to the High Court seeking a judicial review of the JCA decision, saying he did not receive natural justice.

He said he was not provided with sufficient notice of the hearing and his requests for an adjournment were refused improperly by the committee.

In the High Court at Christchurch last week, Justice Lester Chisholm approved an interim stay on the penalties until the judicial review is heard.

"While disappointing from HRNZ's perspective, HRNZ and the JCA are duty bound to respect the decision imposed under New Zealand's legal system," HRNZ general manager Edward Rennell said.

"This is no reflection of any inadequacy within the rules of harness racing, rather an individual exercising his rights under the law of the land.

"It is HRNZ's intention to strongly defend its position and the integrity of the rules when the judicial review is considered on February 1."

Meanwhile, an appeal by Small against a two-year ban imposed earlier in this year by New South Wales stewards for using the anti-bleeding drug tranexamic acid on Changeover was completed in Sydney yesterday.

A decision was reserved.

Small also faces another drugs charge in Victoria.

- NZPA