Thomas Cain, also believed to be former drug convict Matthew Thomas Reed, has come forward as the owner of last season's G1 Queen of the Turf S. winner Azkadellia (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}) and three of her stablemates, according to Racing.com. The four horses are listed as being owned solely by Ben Connolly, racing manager to trainer Ciaron Maher, but their ownership was called into question by Racing Victoria stewards earlier this week. All four horses have been stood down from racing for the time being.
Racing.com reports Cain is alleged to be an associate of convicted conman Peter Foster, who was investigated as a possible undisclosed owner of Azkadellia earlier this year. Cain shares the same birth date as Matthew Thomas Reed, who attempted to bring more than $200-million worth of cocaine and ecstasy from Canada into Australia and was jailed for 12 years from 2007. Both Cain and Reed are from Canada.
Foster is alleged to have been involved in a sports betting scam, from which funds are believed to have been used to purchase Azkadellia. Cain has reportedly taken over from Foster's niece as a director of a series of companies.
Maher expressed shock and disappointment over the ownership probe on Thursday, and said Connolly is taking a leave of absence from his post as racing manager during the investigation.
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