Racing: Trainer sentenced to 10-year ban

Dean Atkinson has been disqualified for 10 years. Photo / Thinkstock

New South Wales trotting trainer Dean Atkinson was disqualified for 10 years on Tuesday for giving money to a former steward to ensure his horses were not drug tested.

Atkinson is the first participant to be sanctioned by the special three-man stewards panel set up by Harness Racing NSW to rule over the on-going investigations into the wide-ranging drug/betting scandal, reports the Herald-Sun.

The 47-year-old Goulburn trainer, who also pleaded guilty to three charges laid against him by police at Picton Local Court on December 20, was charged with corruption under Australian Harness Racing Rule 241.

He was found to have given steward Matthew Bentley money three times to stop his horses being tested at two race meetings, including Penrith on May 12 for The Reluctant Dancer and The Open, and again at Menangle on May 17 for The Reluctant Dancer.

The special panel, which includes Justice Wayne Halen, Ray Murrihy and Des Gleeson, also disqualified The Reluctant Dancer from his two wins and ordered Atkinson to pay back the A$6584 in prizemoney he won.

Bentley resigned from his post as a Harness Racing NSW steward on August 8 last year and has not been charged by police or the internal Harness Racing NSW investigation.

Reid Sanders, the prosecutor for Harness Racing NSW, was reluctant to comment on the length of the disqualification because the reasons behind the charges have not been disclosed.

"The findings contain sensitive information that could impact the charges laid against other participants and won't be published until those other cases have finished," he said.

News of Atkinson's disqualification surfaced only hours after Racing Minister George Souris announced the new five-member board for Harness Racing NSW, which comprises Rod Smith, Alex Smith, Graham Kelly, Chris Edwards and Graeme Campbell.

"The appointment of the first independent members to Harness Racing NSW represents a new era for the industry and sport," Souris said.

- AAP