RV Stewards' Reports - Ben Woodsford & Tony Romeo
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Stewards' Report - Ben Woodsford
Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have concluded their inquiries into four charges issued against Mr Ben Woodsford.
Mr Woodsford pleaded guilty to all four charges with a summary of each charge and the particulars outlined below.
Charge 1: AR 97 Only licensed trainers to train horses
(1) A person can only train a horse at a registered racecourse, training track or training facility if the person has been issued with a licence or permit to train from the PRA where the horse is being trained.
(2) Any person who is party to a breach of subrule (1) may also be penalised.
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
Mr Woodsford was, at all relevant times, a ‘relevant person’ pursuant to LR 2 and a person bound by the Rules of Racing.
On 31 October 2025, he presented the horse, Geegees Hisword (the Horse), to perform trackwork at the Wangaratta Turf Club.
On 6 November 2025, he presented the Horse to run in Heat 11 at the Wangaratta Jump Outs.
Mr Woodsford was not, at any of the relevant times, licensed to train horses in Victoria.
Charge 2: AR 232 Failure to observe processes and directions of PRAs or Stewards
A person must not:
(i) give any evidence at an interview, investigation, inquiry, hearing and/or appeal which is false or misleading.
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
On 6 November 2025, Mr Woodsford was interviewed by a Steward concerning the training location of the Horse, at which time he provided false evidence.
Charge 3: AR 232 Failure to observe processes and directions of PRAs or Stewards
A person must not:
(i) give any evidence at an interview, investigation, inquiry, hearing and/or appeal which is false or misleading.
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
On 28 November 2025, Mr Woodsford was interviewed by the Stewards concerning Geegees Hisword (the Horse) being presented for trackwork at the Wangaratta Turf Club on 31 October 2025, at which time he provided false evidence.
Charge 4: AR 232 Failure to observe processes and directions of PRAs or Stewards
A person must not:
(h) refuse or fail to attend or give evidence at an interview, investigation, inquiry, hearing or appeal when directed or requested to do so by a PRA, the Stewards or a person authorised by a PRA or the Stewards.
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
On 28 November 2025, Mr Woodsford after initially providing some evidence then refused to give further evidence to the Stewards during an interview concerning the horses, Geegees Hisword and We Deserve This.
The Stewards heard submissions on penalty and after doing so took into consideration Mr Woodsford’s guilty pleas and previous record.
Taking into account these submissions, the Stewards determined that a total period of disqualification of 15 months be imposed.
Mr Woodsford was advised of his rights of appeal.
Stewards' Report - Tony Romeo
Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have concluded their inquiries into six charges issued against Mr Tony Romeo.
Mr Romeo reserved his plea in relation to Charge 1 and pleaded guilty to the remaining five charges with a summary of each charge and the particulars outlined below.
Charge 1: AR 97 Only licensed trainers to train horses
(1) A person can only train a horse at a registered racecourse, training track or training facility if the person has been issued with a licence or permit to train from the PRA where the horse is being trained.
(2) Any person who is party to a breach of subrule (1) may also be penalised.
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
Mr Romeo was at all relevant times the licensed trainer of the horse, Geegees Hisword (the Horse).
On 31 October 2025, Mr Romeo allowed Mr Ben Woodsford, who is a licensed stablehand with Tas Racing, to perform trackwork with the Horse at the Wangaratta Turf Club.
On 6 November 2025, Mr Romeo allowed Mr Woodsford to present the Horse to run in Heat 11 at the Wangaratta Jump Outs.
Mr Woodsford was not, at all relevant times, licensed to train horses in Victoria.
Charge 2: AR 232 Failure to observe processes and directions of PRAs or Stewards
(i) give any evidence at an interview, investigation, inquiry, hearing and/or appeal which is false or misleading.
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
On 6 November 2025, Mr Romeo was interviewed by a Steward concerning the Horse, at which time he provided false evidence .
Charge 3: AR 232 Failure to observe processes and directions of PRAs or Stewards
(i) give any evidence at an interview, investigation, inquiry, hearing and/or appeal which is false or misleading.
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
On 28 November 2025, Mr Romeo was interviewed by the Stewards concerning the horses, Geegees Hisword and We Deserve This, at which time he provided false evidence.
Charge 4: AR 229 Corruption, dishonesty and misleading behaviour
(1) A person must not:
…
(h) make a false or misleading statement or declaration in relation to a matter in connection with the administration or control of racing;
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
On 20 November 2025, a Steward conducted a stable inspection at Mr Romeo’s stable at which time he provided a falsified ‘work dairy’ for the horses, Geegees Hisword and We Deserve This.
Charge 5: AR 229 Corruption, dishonesty and misleading behaviour
(1) A person must not:
…
(h) make a false or misleading statement or declaration in relation to a matter in connection with the administration or control of racing;
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
On 22 October 2025, Mr Romeo submitted a Stable Return for Geegees Hisword (the Horse), in which he was recorded as the trainer and the Horse was said to be ‘active’ at his stable in Diggers Rest, which was a false declaration.
Charge 6: AR 229 Corruption, dishonesty and misleading behaviour
(1) A person must not:
…
(h) make a false or misleading statement or declaration in relation to a matter in connection with the administration or control of racing;
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
On 22 October 2025, Mr Romeo submitted a Stable Return for We Deserve This (the Horse), in which he was recorded as the trainer and the Horse was said to be ‘active’ at his stable in Diggers Rest, which was a false declaration.
The Stewards heard submissions on penalty and after doing so took into consideration Mr Romeo’s guilty pleas and previous record.
Taking into account these submissions, the Stewards determined that a total period of disqualification of 18 months be imposed.
Mr Romeo was advised of his rights of appeal.