Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have concluded their inquiries into matters concerning the conduct of licensed trainer Sarah Zschoke at the Kyneton Racing Club meeting on Thursday, 16 December 2021.
On Monday, 7 March 2022, RV Stewards issued three charges to Ms Zschoke and these charges were heard on Friday, 11 March at the Cranbourne Turf Club.
The charges and particulars are summarised as follows:
Charge One:
AR 140 Offences where horse handlers use banned substances
(1) A horse handler breaches these Australian Rules if:
(a) a banned substance under AR 137(1) is detected in a sample taken from the horse handler;
On 16 December 2021, Ms Zschoke brought Ranmard (the Horse) to Kyneton Racecourse to run in race 6 over 1112 metres (the Race).
Following the running of the Race, Ms Zschoke provided a sample of her breath for analysis, with the breath analysing instrument detecting a blood alcohol concentration in excess of the permitted level (the First Sample).
A further sample was collected approximately 15 minutes later, with the breath analysing instrument detecting a blood alcohol concentration in excess of the permitted level (the Second Sample).
Alcohol, at a blood alcohol concentration in excess of 0.05 %, is a banned substance pursuant to AR 137(1)(d) of the Australian Rules of Racing.
Ms Zschoke pleaded guilty to the charge and was issued a fine of $1000.
Charge Two:
AR 232 Failure to observe processes and directions of PRAs or Stewards
A person must not:
(a) fail or refuse to comply with an order, direction or requirement of the Stewards or an official;
Following the Samples, Ms Zschoke was directed by the Stewards not to handle any horses until such time as she was able to provide evidence that she was no longer under the influence of a ‘banned substance’ pursuant to AR 137(d) (the Direction).
On 16 December 2021, following the Direction, Ms Zschoke handled the horse in the tie up stall area and led it to a horse float and departed the racecourse with Ranmard in her horse float.
Ms Zschoke’s conduct, in handling the Horse without having provided the requested evidence was in breach of the Direction and, accordingly, AR 232(b).
Ms Zschoke pleaded guilty to the charge and was issued a six-week suspension commencing Friday, 11 March 2022 and concluding on 22 April 2022.
Acting under AR283(7), Stewards deferred the period of suspension for seven days to allow Ms Zschoke to make arrangements for horses under her care, however she is not permitted to race or trial a horse in this period.
Charge Three:
AR 228 Conduct detrimental to the interests of racing
A person must not engage in:
(b) misconduct, improper conduct or unseemly behaviour;
At the Kyneton Racing Club meeting on 16 December 2021, Ms Zschoke did engage in improper conduct whilst being interviewed by Stewards, whereby she did use offensive and abusive language on multiple occasions throughout the interview, such conduct in the opinion of Stewards being improper.
Ms Zschoke pleaded guilty to the charge and was issued a fine of $1000.
In issuing penalties for all charges Stewards considered Ms Zschoke guilty pleas, personal and professional circumstances and record, however, were also mindful of the serious nature of the charges and the conduct displayed was well below that required of a licensed person.
Ms Zschoke has lodged an appeal on penalty to the VRT which will be heard on a date to be fixed.