The former Sydney trainer Tony Karakatsanis had failed to learn from three previous suspensions and deserved no leniency for his role in the attempted stomach-tubing of a horse trained by his son, a racing tribunal has ruled.
Victoria's Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board banned Karakatsanis from any involvement inracing for two years after finding him guilty of three charges relating to his attempt to treat the horse Howmuchdoyouloveme before he raced at Flemington on November 3.
His son Con was disqualified for nine months for his role in what RAD Board chairman Russell Lewis described as a "premeditated joint enterprise".
Both father and son maintain their innocence and intend to seek a retrial before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
The case against the pair stemmed from a raid on a stable at Flemington housing Howmuchdoyouloveme hours before he was due to race at the same track.
Stewards observed Tony Karakatsanis with the horse in its box where they also found a sack containing tubing equipment they alleged was about to be used.
The stewards told the RAD Board Con Karakatsanis' role was to secure the stables to prevent anyone walking in while they were tubing.
Father and son will continue to hold their respective licences until the rehearing of their case, possibly this month or early March.
