Trainer Liam Birchley has agreed to not enter horses in Victoria for the remainder of the racing season after being engulfed in a scandal that has seen trainers and other licensed persons for the former Aquanita Racing charged for alleged raceday treatment dating back to 2010. Birchley, who is based in Queensland, will not ship runners to Victoria until the new season or until the case in finalized. Queensland stewards will now need to decide whether to follow suit, with chief steward Allan Reardon telling Racenet.com.au, “We will have to discuss this with the Commissioner [Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner Ross Barnett]. I have asked the Victorians for some paperwork on this latest development, so we can look into it further and make some decisions from there. It will be a matter for discussion.”
Birchley has insisted he is innocent and has said he will plead as such. After agreeing to not enter runners in Victoria, Birchley is no longer required to attend a show cause hearing. Fellow Aquanita trainers Robert Smerdon (the most heavily accused with 115 charges against him) and Stuart Webb have stood down.
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