Rockhampton trainer Tim Cook fined for giving racehorse a backhander

A Central Queensland trainer has been punished after a stewards panel found him guilty of striking a racehorse.

Rockhampton horse trainer Tim Cook.

A racing stewards panel has found Rockhampton trainer Tim Cook guilty of striking a racehorse with a backhander - an act which it deemed improper.

Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards this week finalised an inquiry into the incident which happened while barrier trials were being run at Rockhampton’s Callaghan Park Racecourse on August 18.

Stewards considered evidence and took submissions, which included a medical report, from Cook, his legal representative Jim Murdoch KC and apprentice jockey Erin Molloy.

They subsequently hit Cook with a charge under the rules of racing that related to engaging in misconduct, improper conduct or unseemly behaviour.

“The specifics of the charge being that, as a licensed trainer, when attending the trials conducted at the Rockhampton Jockey Club Racecourse on 18 August 2023, when preparing Our Berlinetta for trial three he (Cook) struck the horse across the muzzle area with a backhand motion with his right hand, which in the opinion of stewards was improper,” the stewards report said.

Rockhampton horse trainer Tim Cook.

Cook pleaded not guilty to the charge but the QRIC stewards panel found him guilty.

In determining the penalty, stewards acknowledged Cook’s record over his 30 years involvement in the industry, his personal circumstances and his co-operation.

“Stewards were mindful that Mr Cook had four prior offences under the conduct rules, however none of those were of a compatible nature with this matter,” the stewards report said.

“Stewards were also mindful of the need for deterrence both specific and general and considered previous determinations of a similar nature.”

Cook was fined $2000 with $1000 of the penalty suspended for two years on the basis he does not reoffend under the conduct rules for that period.

Cook has the option to appeal.