Sheehy and Hill cop six-month bans

Albany trainer Stephen Sheehy and local track rider Jodie Hill have been slapped with six-month riding suspensions after stewards’ inquiries were completed into their failure to provide urine samples at Albany Racing Club on February 20.

Racing and Wagering WA investigators conducted random drug testing at the ARC on February 20, where Sheehy and Hill failed to provide a urine sample when requested.

A licensed trainer and former jockey, Sheehy pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to provide a sample as directed and the inquiry was adjourned before he was advised of the penalty last Friday.

He was banned from riding trackwork for six months, back-dated to February 20, and in the event of him meeting specified conditions to the satisfaction of stewards, he may apply for a remission of the penalty prior to the penalty being fully served.

Sheehy is able to resume with his trainer’s licence despite the riding ban. When assessing the penalty, stewards took into account Sheehy’s long history as a licensed person, his overall good record and that he had no previous offences under this particular rule.

Hill also pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to provide a sample as directed by investigators and, after the inquiry was adjourned, she was notified last Friday as well.

Her riding licence was suspended for a period of six months, backdated to February 20, and stewards took into account her guilty plea and prior record under this rule when considering the penalty.

Meanwhile, it will be a busy weekend for local trainers with a host of Great Southern gallopers heading to Ascot on Saturday.

Two-year-old Lordhelpmerun, from the Steve Wolfe yard, will contest the $70,000 Magic Millions Plate (1200m) . Roy Rogers will also start Ionyx in the same race.

Wolfe’s Three Secrets was scratched from yesterday’s listed Rangeview Stud Classic to run in the $70,000 Tabtouch Plate (1200m) on Saturday instead.

Prix D’Excellence, One Short, Gradual Incline, Blizzard Express, Chillie Storm, Run Liam Run and War Jeune are other local runners in action.