Chief Stipe Posted September 6, 2021 Share Posted September 6, 2021 NSWStewards Trainer to fight ban for ‘highly inappropriate’ posts about NSW premier Norm Loy. Photo: Norm Loy Racing Website By Mitch Cohen04:57pm • 06 September 2021 5 Comments A prominent NSW border trainer plans to appeal a three month ban handed down for ‘highly inappropriate’ social media posts attacking NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and her handling of the state’s Covid outbreak. Albury’s Norm Loy was hit with a lengthy suspension last Friday following investigations by Racing NSW Stewards into a pair of posts he made on Facebook. Stewards found Loy made “two highly inappropriate comments in respect of a person who holds a high public office” on his personal page in August. In one expletive-laden post Loy labelled the premier a ‘moron’ and a ‘mole’ while he also questioned the state’s decision making behind extended Covid lockdowns across country NSW. Loy was found guilty of a charge under AR 228 (a) for conduct prejudicial to the interests of racing after fronting a Stewards’ inquiry last Friday before being hit with a lengthy ban. The rule states participants must not engage in conduct prejudicial to the image, interests, integrity, or welfare of racing, whether or not that conduct takes place within a racecourse or elsewhere. Loy confirmed on Monday that he intends to appeal the ruling, insisting the comments were a personal opinion. “It‘s my opinion, other people have different opinions but I’ve shared this on my own personal Facebook page,” he said. “Someone else has screenshotted it and then shared it with a bunch of other people who weren't on my page. If anything that person has breached my privacy. “I might rant something on Facebook after a couple of beers but it‘s my opinion and if you don’t like it you don’t have to be on my page. “I didn't put it on Twitter or post it anywhere other than my personal account. “It’s not about racing, it’s my frustration about everything else that’s going on.” Loy has one prior social media breach to his name and that was considered when stewards handed down his penalty. Meanwhile, Loy was also required to attend a second inquiry last week that saw trainer Gordon Yorke suspended for 4-1/2 months. The ban stems from a confrontation with Loy on July 31 this year that saw Yorke plead guilty to a misconduct charge by NSW stewards. Yorke aggressively confronted Loy at a property at 28 Racecourse Road, Albury while the latter was in a walker with a number of horses. He was found to slam shut the walker gate on Loy as he attempted to remove four-year-old mare Funky Bella. “Such actions having the potential to cause serious injury to Mr Loy and Funky Bella,” the report read. “As a result of becoming fractious Funk Bella kicked out on a number of occasions resulting in the mare dislodging the walker gate and sustaining injuries to her near hind leg including a fracture to the lateral splint bone.” Yorke was handed a six month ban, which was reduced to 4-1/2 months Read all news byMitch Cohen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Centaur Posted September 6, 2021 Share Posted September 6, 2021 There is a person in NZ thankfully not residing on this forum who in comparison would have got several lifetime bans. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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