KEY POINTS:
Harness racing's longest running controversy has been resolved, w h Geoff Small having his driver's licence suspended for fourth months and facing a $27,700 payout.
That was the bottom line after the JCA announced sentences yesterday to charges dating back to November 2006.
The saga started when Changeover
returned a positive to caffeine after winning the Sires' Stakes Final at Addington on November 14, 2006, the same day his stablemate Winforu returned a positive to caffeine after finishing 11th in the New Zealand Cup.
Both horses have subsequently been disqualified.
That was the first step down a path of mayhem and sometimes farcical delays between Small, one of Australasia's most successful trainers, and Harness Racing New Zealand.
The battle between the two parties became highly aggravated, very personal and halted when the lawyers got involved.
But that changed when Small pleaded guilty to a series of charges at a hearing in Auckland last month, leaving only the sentences to be decided.
Bottom line - he will lose his driving licence for four months, pay $18,000 in fines and $9700 in costs to HRNZ and the JCA.
The charges ranged greatly in severity, with the prohibited substances involved all relatively minor yet four of them taking on far greater significance because they involved major races.
Small was also fined $2500 for refusing to allow club veterinarian Ivan Bridge to examine failed favourite Tintin In America at Alexandra Park in October last year.
That fine came with a warning from the JCA that further uncooperative behaviour from Small would result in a suspension or disqualification of his trainer's licence.
But by far the most controversial and serious of the charges related to Small's handling of Pocket Baileyship in the Sales Series Pace at Alexandra Park on New Years Eve, 2006.
Small also trained Changeover in the race and his driving tactics allowed the latter to get off the marker pegs a lap from home, before going on to win the race.
While HRNZ withdrew a charge of bringing racing into disrepute, Small's performance was widely criticised in the industry as team driving.
That had some calling from Small to lose his trainer's licence but that was never on the cards at last month's hearing once the charge of bringing the industry into disrepute was withdrawn.
That left the two driving charges, the penalties for which will be seen as light by Small's army of critics.
But regardless of outside pressure, HRNZ is almost certain not to appeal the sentences. Most of the punishment handed down yesterday was in line with what HRNZ sought at last month's hearing.
And some of the fines and costs imposed were even higher.
It is also unlikely Small will appeal. The four-month suspension was about what he was expecting and while the fines and costs were higher than anticipated, after two years of fighting he may swallow them and move on.
In what direction, and just how smoothly, is something only he can control.
SMALL'S SENTENCES
1: Positive caffeine swabs returned by Changeover and Winforu, Addington, November 14, 2006. Fine of $5000 each charge; $3000 costs to HRNZ and $1200 to JCA. Changeover disqualified from Sires' Stakes Final (1st) and Winforu from New Zealand Cup (11th).
2: Improper driving and failing to give Pocket Baileyship full opportunity to win Sales Series Pace, Alexandra Park, December 31, 2006. Driver's licence suspended from January 19 to May 18, 2009. Fine of $4000. Costs to HRNZ of $3000; $1200 to JCA.
3: Administration of B-Boost to Changeover and Awesome Armbro, Addington, November 13, 2007. JCA accepts administration was non-deliberate. Fine of $750 covers both charges. Costs of $300 to HRNZ; $200 to JCA.
4: Positive to DMSO returned by Rowan Direct, Alexandra Park, August 15, 2008. JCA accepts this was on veterinary advice. Fine of $750. Costs to HRNZ of $250, $200 to JCA. Rowan Direct disqualified from 1st.
5: Misconduct charge, not allowing Tintin In America to be examined by club veterinarian 24 October, 2008. Fined $2500 and warned any further breaches.. would result in suspension or disqualification of trainer's licence. Costs to HRNZ of $150, $200 to JCA.
