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'Forgot all about it': Aussie racing identity banned over celebration photo

chris young
Sports Reporter
·2-min read
Neil Paine is pictured at Rosehill Gardens in September, 2019.
Neil Paine, a prominent employee of trainer Gai Waterhouse, has been barred from race meeting for a month after inadvertently breaking strict biosecurity measures at Rosehill in March. (Photo by Wendell Teodoro/WireImage)

A well-known employee of high-profile trainer Gai Waterhouse has been banned from attending race meetings for the next month, after his animated response to winning the Golden Slipper breached various biosecurity protocols.

While almost all organised sport has been forced to shut down amid the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, horse racing has continued - albeit under very strict social distancing guidelines.

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Unfortunately for Waterhouse employee Neil Paine, his exuberant celebration following Farnan’s Golden Slipper on March 21 has landed him in hot water with stewards.

Paine dashed across the mounting yard to hug Waterhouse co-trainer Adrian Bott.

Known for his out-there fashion sense compared to most racing employees, Paine was easy to spot as his jubilation carried him across the yard.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, stewards contacted Paine in the days following the Rosehill race meeting, banning him from attending meets for a month - though he’s still permitted to attend trackwork.

A contrite Paine told the newspaper he had accepted his ban, admitting his emotions had simply gotten the better of him.

“I'm an excitable bloke,” Paine said.

“It was a Golden Slipper. I forgot all about (the protocols) and I know I shouldn't have done it.

“It's happened. I'm sorry it did happen and from now on I'll be careful when I return to the track.”

Star jockey Kerrin McEvoy suspended

Kerrin McEvoy is set to miss the Hawkesbury Guineas meeting at Rosehill after being suspended at Warwick Farm.

McEvoy pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to ride Godolphin-owned Duenna out to the end of the Monday's Hyland Race Colours Plate (1300m), with the filly finishing in a dead-heat for second with Stolen Jade.

The two were 3-3/4-lengths behind Archanna.

McEvoy was suspended for a week from Sunday, a day after Group One racing ends for the season in Sydney.

But he will miss the Hawkesbury Guineas meeting on April 25 which is being held at Rosehill this year.

With AAP