Trainer Darryl Hansen will look for work in the mining industry after losing his latest appeal against a six-month disqualification.
Hansen, who hoped to saddle up stable star Essington in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday, has been training under a stay of proceedings pending the decision handed down by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) on Wednesday.
He made a late application on Wednesday to transfer Essington and stablemate Hussonator, an acceptor for the Sky Vision In Apps Handicap (1350m), to Troy Hall at Caloundra to enable the pair to start on Saturday.
However, chief steward Wade Birch is in Townsville and isn’t expected to rule on the application until he returns on Thursday.
QCAT confirmed the stewards’ decision to disqualify Hansen as a result of Hussonator returning an elevated TC02 reading at the Mackay Cup meeting on July 9.
An appeal against a $6,000 fine imposed after Essington returned a positive swab to the prohibited substance prednisone following his win in the Newmarket Handicap at Rockhampton in June was also dismissed.
Hansen was originally fined $10,000 but had it reduced at an earlier appeal hearing.
Hansen maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal and threatened to quit Queensland racing for good if his appeals were dismissed.
“I’ll be looking for work as a truck driver or labourer in the mining industry,” Hansen said.
Hansen believes Essington is a genuine chance in the Lough Neagh despite his disappointing 11th in the Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on December 10.
The five-year-old never threatened, racing with the tailenders to finish almost six lengths from winner Adebisi.
“It was an average run and the only explanation I can find is he may have got a virus which went through my stables recently,” Hansen said.
“Viruses can be hard to pick up and most times you don’t realise they’ve had it until after they run.
“He had a temperature but he’s fine now and it’s the only excuse I can find for his bad run in the George Moore Stakes.”
Hansen expects a much improved performance from Essington, who will have Glen Colless aboard for the first time.
Hansen has been in the industry for 21 years and was the leading trainer in Mackay and Townsville before he settled in Brisbane a few years ago.
But working outside racing isn’t new to him.
“When I started off training it was very tough and I had to work a second job as a security officer to help pay the bills,” he said.
AAP TURF
