Caulfield trainer Byron Cozamanis will take over the training of Cox Plate hopeful Happy Trails following the disqualification of Adelaide trainer Paul Beshara.
Trainer Paul Beshara and Happy Trails after their win in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Racing Victoria Stewards have acceptable an application by the owners of Happy Trails to transfer the training of the six year old from Beshara to Cozamanis.
Beshara was denied a stay of proceedings by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal when he lodged an appeal against a six month ban handed to him by the Racing Victoria’s Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board for race day treatment of Happy Trails on September 14.
Earlier today the RAD board had brought down the ruling, stipulating that “Beshara, as trainer, is unable to start any horse from today in accordance with AR 196(6)(a) and AR 196(6)(b) and, as a result, Happy Trails will not be allowed to contest Saturday’s Group 1 Sportingbet Cox Plate under Beshara’s name.”
Part owner Erica Dickmann had earlier in the day indicated that former Adelaide trainer Cozamanis was in line to take over the preparation of Happy Trails leading up to Saturday’s Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
“It’s not ideal,” Dickmann told The Advertiser.
“The horse isn’t far from there and we don’t want to disrupt him too much.
“It’s not the horse’s fault. They’ve tested him for everything they can possibly test and found absolutely nothing.
“I don’t get it.”
Happy Trails is currently rated a $21 chance for the Cox Plate with Mark Kavanagh’s Atlantic Jewel heading the market order at $2.30.
The Gai Waterhouse trained Fiorente and Underwood Stakes winner It’s A Dundeel are on the second line of betting at $5 just in front of Puissance De Lune at $7.50.
