Bailey Wheeler cops ban after lying to stewards about drinking alcohol prior to breathalyser test
Bailey Wheeler has been hit with a ban after he told stewards he had not been drinking prior to returning a positive blood alcohol result prior to the races last month.
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Boom apprentice Bailey Wheeler has been slapped with a ban after he was found to have lied to stewards over a breathalyser test before he rode at the Ipswich Cup meeting last month.
It can be revealed Wheeler returned a positive result to a random breath test conducted by stewards after he advised them he had not been drinking prior to the races.
Racenet understands Wheeler blew under the 0.02 blood alcohol threshold, however it was over 0.00.
Wheeler was slated to ride in Sydney on the day, however picked up a late ride at Ipswich aboard Lady Of Luxury in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic when the races were washed out south of the border.
It is understood Wheeler had a drink during his trip back to Queensland before he had accepted the ride on Lady Of Luxury.
In giving misleading evidence to stewards, he was slapped with a four-week ban.
• SACKED: Gun apprentice Bailey Wheeler on the move
“Prior to fulfilling this engagement he was interviewed by stewards regarding his activities prior to arriving on course,” a stewards report found.
“The evidence provided when questioned by stewards on 22 June 2024, and by Mr Wheeler’s subsequent admissions were false and/or misleading.”
Wheeler immediately pleaded guilty to the charge under the Australian Rules of Racing AR232(d)(i) that a person must not: give any evidence at an interview, investigation, inquiry, hearing and/or appeal which is false or misleading.
Wheeler’s four-week ban can be reduced to three weeks should he seek professional help over the matter.
His suspension is due to end on July 27.
Originally published as Bailey Wheeler cops ban after lying to stewards about drinking alcohol prior to breathalyser test
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