NSW Trainers Association chief executive Steve McMahon is concerned about the precedent set by John McNair's $15,000 fine for poor stable security after a positive ice test on one of his horses.
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The evidence led to the stewards accepting McNair had not treated Normandy before going to the races at Newcastle in March. They had received a tip off about McNair's horses being treated but some of the information was clearly wrong.
Under the presentation rules, Normandy was disqualified and McNair was open to penalty. He was shocked at the level of the fine and has appealed.
"I did nothing wrong and I have spent $5000 putting on security in the stables since the incident because I didn't think something like this would happen," McNair said. "It was a wake-up call."
McMahon says many trainers are on properties and don't have security and, with a drug such as ice, it is as easy as putting it over the tongue of a horse. He also is worried about the security of stalls on many country tracks.
"There are many race tracks across country racing in NSW that do not have CCTV or adequate security due to the costs involved," McMahon said.
"It's a bit rich in my view to fine McNair. The costs of CCTV and/or security guards would add an extraordinary impost ... to trainers and owners."
McNair's appeal will be heard later this month. A precedent was set for a fine being overturned in 2005 after Gai Waterhouse's galloper Love You Honey tested positive to cocaine.
Back for seconds
It was double heartache for Canberra trainer Matt Dale on the final day of the season, despite a winning double on his home track.
In the race for the NSW country trainers title, Dale fell one shy of disgraced trainer Luke Griffith, who was disqualified for four years for positive swabs to ice in May. Griffith took it out with 52 winners.
Then a win in the final race of the season gave veteran trainer Keith Dryden the Canberra trainers' premiership by one in front of Dale.
Greg Ryan's 111 country wins edged out long-time sparring partner Robert Thompson, who had 104½ wins for the champion country jockey.
The state titles went to Chris Waller, who prepared 181½ winners for the season, and Blake Shinn, who rode 132½ winners to take the jockeys' premiership by 2½ wins from James McDonald.
TAB meetings
Sunday: Muswellbrook, Gundagai; Monday: Forbes, Murwillumbah; Tuesday: Goulburn; Wednesday: Coffs Harbour; Thursday: Coffs Harbour; Friday: Wagga, Wyong.
