Sunday, 27 May 2007: A former Victorian jockey who claimed he had been using electrical devices on horses in races and track gallops for more than 30 years has been banned for 10 years by Perth stewards.
Chris Bellette, who rode more than 250 winners in Tasmania and Victoria in the 1970s, was disqualified after pleading guilty to the ownership of a hand-held battery device and two electric cattle prodders.
The West Australian reported that the devices were discovered last week hidden at the stables of trainer Terry Brennan at Port Hedland.
Bellette, 57, received two five years bans for admitting his ownership of the devices.
Brennan has been cleared of any involvement with Bellette or use of the devices.
Bellette also received another 10-year sentence, to be served concurrently, after pleading guilty to using an electrical device on a horse he rode in training at Broome two years ago.
Bellette was charged after Racing and Wagering WA investigators received a tip off that electrical devices were being used on horses at Port Hedland.
Bellette, who was recently riding trackwork in Perth, admitted he hid the devices in a disused vehicle at Brennan's stables when he arrived at Port Hedland two weeks ago.
“Wherever I went I took batteries to liven up lazy horses," Bellette told stewards during the inquiry.
“I’ve used electrical devices on horses in races and training for 40 years.
“This is the first time I’ve been caught.
"I always made sure the devices weren’t found. I got caught out through being pre-occupied and careless."
Bellette said his racing career was now over and he would not appeal against the 10-year ban that prevents him attending race meetings, racecourses and licensed stables.
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 | | Posted by georgina, on 24-7-2012 4:53:53 PM
I think racing penalties are way overthe top and to some extent beyond our civil rights.you dont get 10 years loss of income for unarmed robbery.anyway who needs to go to the track anymore.i havent been for 5 years since i got sky channel at home. ”
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| | Posted by Hornet33, on 18-7-2012 12:55:34 PM
not the first & won''t be the last(quezacotl you''re right, frequently employed tactic to smarten 1 up, but really only lasts 1 or 2 runs)
....Tom, cruelty?
like putting a 9 volt battery on your tongue, just gives them a bit of a surprise....not saying it''s right, or justifying it...just an observation ”
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| | Posted by Tom, on 17-7-2012 2:56:12 PM
Sounds like he is pretty proud of himself in the article. This type of thing is animal cruelty. I know I wouldn''t be so keen to be associating myself with this type of person. You appear to be proud too. Pathetic. ”
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| | Posted by quezacotl, on 16-7-2012 10:14:10 PM
Yawn....jiggers have been used, and still are being used, by pretty much most trainers in the world...
I''ve seen some of Australia''s most famous names in training blatantly hand the battery to workriders on fast mornings and think nothing of it...I remember seeing it one morning at Rosehill to be used on a horse that made me think.." jesus I wouldn''t of thought she would need a touch up.." I know melb cup runners, Cox Plate runners, and pretty much every known black type runner who have at one time or another copped it up the neck on a fast morning...my observations of touching them up over time were that it generally only had a shortish window of time for its maximum effect to be cashed in on, then most, if not all, would sour, become head case''s, and become depressed or completely disinterested in racing... period.
”
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| | Posted by Jade ette, on 16-7-2012 6:48:45 PM
Wow great artical.... About my dad haha ”
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