Stewards adjourn inquiry into conduct of trainer Peter Gelagotis before Levendi’s return at Sandown

Racing Victoria has adjourned an inquiry into Peter Gelagotis’ conduct after leading vet Andrew Wearn described a clash with the Moe trainer as “one of the most unpleasant experiences I’ve had.”

Teleplay surged along the rails to win the Kevin Heffernan Stakes. Picture: AAP

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Racing Victoria has adjourned an inquiry into Peter Gelagotis’ conduct after leading vet Andrew Wearn described a clash with the Moe trainer as “one of the most unpleasant experiences I’ve had.”

The incident unfolded before Gelagotis’ stable star Levendi finished last in the Group 3 Heffernan Stakes.

Gelagotis was furious Levendi was ordered to trot up in front of vets 45 minutes before making his return to racing almost 600 days after winning the 2018 Australian Derby at Randwick.

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Trainer Peter Gelagotis wasn’t happy Levendi had to be trotted up 45 minutes before his return to racing at Sandown. Picture: Getty Images

The Gelagotis camp was enraged when vets unsuccessfully attempted to take a blood sample from Levendi, claiming the process had unsettled the entire.

Wearn countered by describing the trainers conduct as “in my 15 years’ experience, it was one of the most unpleasant experiences I’ve had”.

Wearn alleged Gelagotis had raised his voice and conducted himself in an aggressive manner.

Gelagotis strenuously denied the accusation.

Wearn, Gelagotis and his brother and racing manager Manny Gelagotis, and also Levendi's part-owner Dr Peter Stevens were called before stewards.

Gelagotis said he wasn’t aggressive, but simply emotional.

“I was not aggressive, I was concerned at the protocol of vetting a horse 45 minutes before a race — all it was doing was upsetting the horse,” Gelagotis said.

Levendi returned to racing at Sandown after a long lay-off. Picture: Jay Town

Stevens also told stewards he was unhappy with the vetting protocol, especially given Levendi had already been vetted last Tuesday.

“There’s been a lot said recently about horse welfare and to me vetting a horse 45 minutes before the start of a race is not good management,” Dr Stevens said.

Outside the hearing, Manny Gelagotis said Levendi had been “as quiet as a lamb” before the vetting procedure.

Chairman of stewards Robert Cram said it was “not unusual” for a horse to be trotted up 45 minutes before the start of the race and indicated there were other horses at Sandown that had done the same thing.

Cram adjourned the hearing to a later date.

Teleplay earns break

Michael Manley

Teleplay exceeded trainer Mick Price’s expectations when she scored a narrow win in the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m) at Sandown.

“I told Ben Melham to ride her to run a place. Keep her buried away and try and get all the favours on the fence. That’s the reason she won, the ride,” Price said.

Teleplay surges home on the inside and wins on the line from Home Of The Brave. Hey Doc was impressive in his return. @MelbRacingClub pic.twitter.com/ZM2eFhCyI9

— Racing.com (@Racing) November 16, 2019

Price said he had to decide which race Teleplay contested on Saturday.

“The 1500m mares’ race, the Summoned Stakes, was the right race but she’s not a 1500m horse,” he said. “In the finish we ran her in the wrong race at the right distance and a short half head margin went our way.

“I take my hat off to this mare. She needed a good ride which she got, saved all the ground and we were lucky in one of those bob-of-head photos.”

Teleplay (right) surged along the rail to win the Kevin Heffernan Stakes. Picture: AAP

Teleplay had won her previous start when she was successful at Group 3 level at Flemington.

Price said Teleplay deserved a good spell and he would bring her back and set her for the Winter Stakes at Eagle Farm next June.

Price and co-trainer Mick Kent have prepared 13 winners this month.

Teleplay ($10) defeated Home Of The Brave ($2.40) by a nose, with Hey Doc ($6) a short neck away in third.

Originally published as Stewards adjourn inquiry into conduct of trainer Peter Gelagotis before Levendi’s return at Sandown