Former AFL player Jason Love has been disqualified by stewards for a minimum of three months after directing a tirade of abuse towards trainer Tom Charlton at a Sydney race meeting earlier this month.
Stewards charged Love under racing rule AR228(b) for conduct detrimental to the interests of racing following an incident at Royal Randwick on Wednesday, October 8.
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Love, part-owner of the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Sydney Bowler, approached Charlton near the Randwick tunnel after the gelding finished third in a race on the Kensington track.
As the post-race debrief with others took place, Stewards found Love acted in an aggressive manner “directing improper, threatening and insulting language” at the trainer.
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A subsequent stewards report found Love pointed in Charlton’s face using words to the effect of “you will be next, keep smiling”.
The tirade came in earshot of multiple industry participants including trainers, jockeys and members of the public.
Evidence was taken from Love, witnesses and CCTV footage before the charge was laid.
Jason Love (left) with fellow part owners of Sydney Bowler. Picture: Supplied
Love was disqualified for six months with his guilty plea helping reduce the ban to four months from October 27 to February 27.
If Love undertakes anger management and counselling with a professional specialising in the discipline it will be further reduced to three months.
Love played 68 games in the AFL for North Melbourne and the Sydney Swans during the late 80s and early 90s.
Sydney Bowler’s racing career was derailed last year when the promising galloper was at the centre of a barrier incident before the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
Sydney Bowler got cast in the gates before the race and had to be sedated and freed from the barriers.
He had won the first three races of his career but needed more than a year on the sidelines following the incident and is yet to win a race since.
Love has been advised of his right to appeal.