Trainer Con Karakatsanis has been disqualified for nine months and stablehand father Tony Karakatsanis two years over charges relating to alleged treatment of Howmuchdoyouloveme on race day during the Spring Carnival.

The Racing And Disciplinary board handed down the penalties today over an incident that occurred before the Yellowglen Stakes at Flemington on November 3 where the pair were accused of conspiring to stomach tube Howmuchdoyouloveme.

Tony Karakatsanis’ ban is effective immediately while Con Karakatsanis has until February 14 to remove his contingent of horses from his stables and displace his eight employees.

The pair have maintained their innocence since the accusations were made and will appeal to VCAT for a rehearing of the case.