‘Don’t touch my wife’: Trainer in trackside flare-up with investigator

When the second race at Newcastle racecourse ended two Saturdays ago, Craig Roberts and his wife, Carolyn, began to pack up to head home.

The small-time trainer had only two horses competing on April 26, and the second of them, a two-year-old filly named Raygun Rocks, had just finished eighth of nine starters, living up to longshot odds of 100-1 against runners from the stables of big names such as Chris Waller, Peter Snowden and the Freedmans.

Wyong-based horse racing trainer Craig Roberts, right, and his wife, Carolyn.

The circumstances of what happened next are contested – the subject of both a police investigation and a Racing NSW stewards inquiry – and Roberts’ livelihood hangs in the balance.

The 63-year-old could be stripped of his trainer’s licence after being charged by stewards over a trackside altercation with a female Racing NSW integrity unit official that afternoon.

Roberts has pointed the finger at the investigator herself, alleging she assaulted his wife as they led their horses from the racecourse stalls towards their truck and float in the car park.

“She grabbed the lead out of my wife’s hand and put her forearm up under her throat,” Roberts said. “I spun around and said ‘don’t you f---ing touch my wife’.

“I pulled the lead out of [the investigator’s] hand and walked out with both horses. My wife was distraught … she was in tears.”

The couple has given statements to NSW Police, which has confirmed it is investigating.

“Police have been told that a 59-year-old woman had been struck to the chin by another woman on Saturday 26 April 2025,” a spokesman said.

The Racing NSW investigator, former police officer Nikki Burke, is understood to deny using force against Roberts’ wife, reporting her right wrist was hurt when one of his horses made contact as he led it past her.

Roberts is also accused of throwing his gear bag in her direction and pinning the passenger door of his truck on Burke as she attempted to inspect the vehicle, allegations he rejects.

The altercation involving the Roberts and a Racing NSW integrity official took place at Newcastle Racecourse on April 26.Credit: Getty

The Central Coast-based trainer faces four racing charges over the incident – two counts of engaging in improper behaviour towards an official, and further charges of refusing to obey an investigator and obstructing one from carrying out her duties.

It is claimed Roberts spoke with improper language and in an aggressive tone towards Burke as well as repeatedly defying directions to attend the stewards room at the track, telling her: “Get stuffed, I can do what I want.”

Roberts said Burke never identified herself as she began searching his bags and truck before entering the cabin of the vehicle.

He asked her to get out of the truck and walked off, he said, before returning to the stalls to bring out his horses with his wife, followed by the investigator.

“[She] said to me. ‘You can’t take that horse’,” Carolyn Roberts said. “She put her hand on my upper arm to stop me from moving forward. Then she snatched the lead of the horse. With the lead in her hand she then brought that arm up into my face. I’ve got her arm against my chin and my throat.”

After grabbing both horses, loading them and driving off, Craig Roberts told the Herald he received a phone call later in the day from Daniel Hadley, head of Racing NSW’s integrity unit and son of broadcaster Ray Hadley.

“I told him I didn’t even know who she was,” he said. “I’ve been training for 20 years. I’ve never seen Nikki Burke in my life.”

Roberts’ run-in with Burke was viewed by another trainer, former Scone Cup winner Louise Munce.

She said the investigator was “right in his face” and she thought she was a disgruntled owner. She didn’t see the investigator stop Roberts’ wife, but witnessed Roberts leading the horses out of the stalls and didn’t notice one touch Burke.

Another onlooker close by Roberts’ truck has provided testimony, saying he had seen an animated Burke but no physicality.

There is also understood to be a witness supporting the investigator’s version of events.

Burke reported that she introduced herself to Roberts, advising him of her intention to search his truck for prohibited items as part of routine float and horse transport inspections.

Roberts, who has only four horses in work, two of which he owns, faces a possible suspension or loss of his trainer’s licence if found guilty at Wednesday’s inquiry, at which he is unable to have legal representation under racing rules.

A Racing NSW spokesman said he was unable to comment on the specifics of an ongoing case, but Roberts would be provided due process and natural justice.

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