Australian trainer Mark Riley, who was on Monday banned from racing for three years after being found guilty of administering TC02 to a horse in his care last July, will be allowed to saddle G1 Blue Diamond fancy Of The Brave (Aus)(Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in that Saturday feature, according to published reports.
While Riley is appealing Monday's decision, the rules of Australia's Racing and Disciplinary Appeals Board state that he would not be allowed to run horses in his name from the time the decision was handed down. Racing Victoria stewards informed Of The Brave's owners they would need to find a new licensed trainer by 10 a.m. today in order to run Saturday, and rejected applications for an employee of Riley's to take over training. Riley initially sought assistance from the Supreme Court to allow him to saddle Of The Brave and was unsuccessful, but his legal team broke through after applying with the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal late Tuesday, and his disqualification has been put on hold until Monday.
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