Racing: Stanaway reprimanded after interview

Disgruntled expatriate New Zealand trainer Bryce Stanaway has escaped with a severe reprimand over comments he made about Steven King's unplaced ride on Prince Vitality at Flemington on May 9.

Racing Victoria stewards last Thursday charged Stanaway with making comments prejudicial to the interests of racing.

The comments were made on racing telecaster TVN after Prince Vitality won the Paris Hcp (2400m) with Ben Melham in the saddle at his next start at Sandown on May 20.

Stanaway had blamed King for Prince Vitality missing out on a run in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes (3200m) at Flemington on May 16 after the 6-year-old ran 12th to Ladies In Luck in the Cleanevent Hcp (2800m), beaten 15 lengths, on May 9.

"He couldn't go there after Steven King's ride on him the start before. He came back and told me to give him a spell," Stanaway said at Sandown on May 20.

"It's the first time I've seen a horse turn for home in a 2800m race dropping back from a 3200m hurdle race and have only one slap down the shoulder.

"I was disgusted. So my man is Ben Melham, at least I know he's on my side and he tries for me."

When asked by chairman of stewards James Williams to explain why he made the comments, Stanaway said he had been advised not to say anything.

"I've got myself into trouble for telling the truth," he told stewards.

After the inquiry, Stanaway said he had resigned from the Australian Trainers' Association last Monday "because they are not interested in the little bloke". A letter was tendered to the inquiry by the Victorian Jockeys' Association (VJA) expressing the VJA's concern in regard to the Torquay trainer's comments in the TVN interview.

- AAP obtained a copy of the letter written by VJA executive officer Des O'Keeffe which stated: "Of particular concern were Mr Stanaway's comments about jockey Steven King who had ridden the horse at its previous start, in that Mr Stanaway said, 'At least I know he's (meaning Ben Melham) on my side and he tries for me'.

"The only possible conclusion someone hearing Mr Stanaway could have drawn, from that comment in particular as well as his earlier comments in the interview, was that he believes Steven King had not tried on Prince Vitality when he rode it at its previous run at Flemington on Saturday May 9.

"Stewards recorded no concerns with Steven King's ride at Flemington on that day and for Mr Stanaway to insinuate in the interview that Steven King had not tried on the horse is particularly damaging to Steven King's reputation and standing as a trustworthy jockey.

"Also, it is this association's view that for a trainer to go on TVN and make such disparaging comments is not conducive to the image of jockeys as a group."

Williams told Stanaway it was not appropriate for a licensed trainer to air such grievances during a live interview and that if he had concerns over how his horse was ridden he should have brought those concerns to the stewards' panel on the day.

- AAP