Fears veteran Innisfail trainer won’t return after hefty ban

Long-time owners of an Innisfail horse trainer doubt he will return to training following his two-year ban from the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.

Innisfail horse trainer Greg Strickland was Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater's first employer. PICTURE: MATT NICHOLLS.

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Long-time owners of Greg Strickland’s horses doubt the Innisfail trainer will return to training following his two-year ban from the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.

The veteran trainer finally had his inquiry held late last month, after originally being charged with administering medication to three horses at Pease Park on Innisfail Cup day at the back end of 2018.

Innisfail horse trainer Greg Strickland was Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater's first employer. PICTURE: MATT NICHOLLS.

Strickland, who gave rugby league champion Billy Slater his first job in racing as a ­stablehand as a kid, faced seven charges on administering medication on race day without permission after Cashed Up Bully, Redwinska and Oakfield Avenger were scratched on race morning once the trainer’s activities at the track’s stables in the early morning of October 30, 2018, were spotted by QRIC.

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Strickland, who has been in racing for over four decades, pleaded guilty and was disqualified for two years after being stood down in October 2018, with the disqualification expiring on October 26 this year.

Innisfail horse trainer Greg Strickland was Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater's first employer. PICTURE: MATT NICHOLLS.

Innisfail Turf Club’s president Mark Spagnolo, who owned shares in two of the scratched horses — Redwiska and Oakfield Avenger — is ­unsure if Strickland will return to the North Queensland training ranks once the ban is lifted.

“Someone would need to give him a horse first … in years past ‘Stricko’ was ­unbelievable with looking after the horses, he was there all day,” Spagnolo said.

“He has not been around the track now for a couple of years so I would doubt he would return to training, but we will see.”

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Other Innisfail-based trainers have noted they have not seen Strickland around the traps of late.

QRIC stewards decided on a two-year disqualification after taking into account Strickland’s forthright evidence, personal circumstances and his previously unblemished ­record over a long period of time, first starting out as a trainer as an 18-year-old. He is now is in his 60s.

“However, these considerations need to be balanced by the seriousness of the breaches and the negative effect breaches of this kind have on the image of the industry,” QRIC said in a statement.

“The Panel considered that Strickland’s licence had been under full suspension since October 26, 2018 and he had performed no duties in relation to that licence during that period.

“Strickland was advised of his right to lodge an internal review regarding this decision.”

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In early 2019, Strickland pleaded guilty in the Innisfail Magistrates Court to using a “prohibited thing” on a licensed animal.

Duty solicitor Scott Osborne, appearing for Strickland, said the substance in question was Neutradex, an electrolyte to help the horse to race and prevent muscle fatigue and explained Strickland was “deeply embarrassed” by his actions.

Strickland was contacted for comment by the Cairns Post on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Innisfail’s non-TAB program set for this Sunday afternoon is unlikely to go ahead following heavy rain over the last 24 hours.

The Pease Park track has lost a number of meetings over the last year.

Originally published as Fears veteran Innisfail trainer won’t return after hefty ban