Shawn Mathrick has stomach-tubing charges dismissed

Stewards laid the serious charges against the pair after raiding Mathrick’s property on April 17, 2019.

Stewards claimed Mathrick had stomach-tubed Ayers Rock, which was due to race that afternoon in a 2400m race at Geelong.

Stomach-tubing racehorses is a normal part of their care but is banned within one clear day of a horse racing with breaches resulting in a minimum 12-month disqualification unless special circumstances are involved.

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Mathrick immediately told stewards they had made a simple mistake, advising them he had legally tubed Rich Itch, who was not racing for a few more days.

The VRT heard evidence from nine witnesses, including the Mathricks, during the hearing that lasted six sitting days in January and August.

Mathrick, represented by prominent barrister Damian Sheales, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The VRT panel accepted the evidence of long-time stable employee Raymond Borg, who was in racing for more than 50 years before retiring.

Borg was sure Rich Itch was the horse being led to be stomach tubed instead of Ayers Rock.

The VRT also noted stewards failed to prove their key allegation that the stomach tubing of Ayers Rock had taken place, also noting the corrected evidence of RV’s chief veterinarian Dr Grace Forbes that it was “unlikely the horse had been stomach tubed with an alkalising agent” on the day.

“The bottom line is that we are not satisfied, comfortably or otherwise that the stewards have made out their case and have discharged the burden of proof,” the VRT judgment read.

Originally published as Victorian Racing Tribunal dismiss stomach-tubing charges against trainer Shawn Mathrick