Appeal win for Palomino ‘show horse’ at centre of unusual stewards’ case

A Queensland horseman has had a win in his appeal of a stewards’ ban regarding a Palomino racehorse and prize-winning show horse.

A Palomino racehorse and prize-winning show horse has been at the centre of an unusual stewards case in Queensland.

Horseman Jason Devine, from rural Thangool, 600km northwest of Brisbane, was pinged by stewards and originally suspended for three months after being found guilty of several racing charges related to Milky Rocket.

Milky Rocket is a unique Palomino (genetic gold coat and white mane and tail) horse which has had five wins on Queensland bush tracks.

• Callander: Gill Wastes No Time In Reinventing Tabcorp

The case arose after Milky Rocket suffered a bleeding attack from both nostrils at the Rockhampton trials in April and a three-month embargo was placed on the horse by stewards.

However, stewards later received information that Milky Rocket, trained by Ricky Vale but transferred to Devine, had subsequently been exercised in contravention of the three-month embargo.

Devine was originally banned by stewards for three months on various racing charges, including giving misleading evidence.

But he enjoyed a significant win on appeal, with his ban quashed, after insisting Milky Rocket had only been given light exercise to keep him fit for the purpose of competing as a show horse.

Milky Rocket, the palomino racehorse and prize-winning show horse, was at the centre of an unusual stewards' case in Queensland.

Milky Rocket then became a prize-winning show horse.

“Milky Rocket was transferred to the stables of the applicant (Devine) at Thangool for the purpose of (his daughter) Jamie-Lee using Milky Rocket to compete in shows,” the Queensland Racing Appeals Panel decision read.

• Far Too Easy aims up again after cheating death

“This in fact occurred, with the horse and Jamie-Lee being successful at the Callide Valley Show in May 2024.

“Devine maintained his belief that Milky Rocket was being legitimately exercised as a show horse, not as a racehorse.

“The applicant (Devine) admitted that the horse had gone on to the track but said that “it never got any faster than a canter” for “a couple of laps’’.

“So far as the horse’s welfare was concerned, he said ‘we’ve looked after that horse more than anything … like there was no tomorrow’.

“I thought we were just doing a father-daughter thing.”

How beautiful is Milky Rocket?🤩 pic.twitter.com/JZIxWd0Rrr

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 1, 2022

Legal eagle Gabe Hutchinson, acting for Devine, told the appeals panel his client did not set out to flout the racing rule regarding bleeding, was at no time the trainer of Milky Rocket and his conduct “might be viewed as a misunderstanding of the rule”.

The appeals panel found the matter could be dealt with by an order which did not involve a suspension.

• ‘Horse clippers’: Cult hero loses famous mullet after race fall

Devine’s penalty was reduced from a three month suspension to a $1500 fine and a wholly suspended six-month sentence.

“This is not a case of any deliberate infringement of the rule and not a case of infringement in pursuit of personal gain,” the RAP decision found.

“The applicant’s (Devine’s) personal circumstances also require consideration.

“It is apparent from the material that he and indeed his family are heavily involved in the ongoing operation and management of the Thangool race club.

“His income is supplemented to some degree by his work in the coal mines.

“Importantly, he is the master for his daughter, apprentice jockey Jamie-Lee.

“She is a student in year 12 and her apprenticeship is arranged through her schooling.

“If a suspension were imposed on the applicant, then arrangements involving family disruption would likely follow.”

Originally published as Appeal win for Palomino ‘show horse’ at centre of unusual stewards’ case