News

Freedman fined tor tweet

30th May 2011

The Age - Andrew Eddy - Sunday, 29 May 2011

HALL-OF-FAME trainer Lee Freedman yesterday broke new ground after being fined $750 for blasting stewards at Caulfield on Twitter over their decision to scratch his horse Our Smokin' Rock at the barriers before race three.

In what is the first penalty imposed in Victorian thoroughbred racing for comments made by a licensed person on a social media site, chief steward Terry Bailey charged Freedman with ''improper behaviour in relation to an official's duties'' after opening an inquiry into his comments on Twitter that the scratching of the colt was a ''disgrace''.

Freedman, who was not at Caulfield and was phoned by stewards after the final race, pleaded guilty to the charge. Bailey explained that two-year-old Our Smokin' Rock was withdrawn because industry veterinarians were concerned the horse was making an unusual noise. Freedman wrote on Twitter: ''World first at Caulfield. Vets scratch Our Smokin' Rock at gate because he things it made a noise!!! What a disgrace''.

Advertisement: Story continues below Veterinarian John McCaffrey said the colt's rider Ben Melham alerted him to the noise. ''I've never heard a horse make a noise like it in 25 years,'' McCaffrey said. ''It [the decision to scratch] was a no-brainer.''

Freedman went on to describe the late scratching as ''a bizarre decision'' as he believed there was nothing wrong with the horse. ''Our Smokin' Rock scoped fine. Where does that leave us?'' Freedman wrote.