One of Tasmania’s prominent harness racing trainers has successfully appealed against his “warning off” from the state’s racetracks.
Ben Yole was banned from TasRacing-controlled racetracks in January following investigations into race-fixing, team driving and breaches of animal welfare.
His brother, Tim Yole, along with harness drivers Nathan and Mitch Ford faced a similar ban from TasRacing tracks last month.
Now, the Office of Racing Integrity has announced that all four have won their appeals, resulting in their removal from the warned-off list.
Labor’s Dean Winter has criticised the decision, arguing that Yole should not be permitted to race given the serious allegations against him.
He described the situation as a “complete disaster”, with Yole horses able to race again as soon as this Sunday’s Hobart meet at Elwick.
“The harness racing industry does not want Ben Yole … and still, he’s allowed to race … he must be stood down,” Winter said.
“He should not be racing this weekend for the good of harness racing in this state.”
