Prominent harness racing trainer Geoff Small has been fined a total of $18,000 and lost his harness driver's license for four months.
Small, of south Auckland, has also been ordered to pay costs of $9700 by the Judicial Control Authority (JCA), which today released its decisions into five charges against him, some dating back two years. The JCA sat in Auckland last month and heard charges that included one of misconduct relating to Small's behaviour towards Alexandra Park veterinarian Ivan Bridge in October, 2008.
Some of the charges dated back two years, with one involving a positive test to caffeine being returned by his star pacer Changeover after he won the Sires' Stakes Final.
Another charge was improper driving on Pocket Baileyship. Stewards alleged Small moved off the markers while trailing in a 2006 race at Alexandra Park, allowing stablemate Changeover to improve his position. Changeover won that race.
Small contested the charges but the JCA ruled against him today.
