Maher assistant can’t take over: Bailey

Ciaron Maher’s assistant and brother will not be able to take over the Victorian trainer’s stables during his six-month suspension.

Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey says Maher’s assistant David Eustace and brother Declan’s current trainers’ licences do not allow them to run a large team of horses.

“They don’t have the required level of licence to take over such a large team and therefore I couldn’t see that being a possibility given Ciaron’s got seven days to make arrangements,” Bailey told RSN on Tuesday.

Bailey says moving an outside trainer into Maher’s stables is another option, but they cannot simply be a figurehead.

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“We need to be satisfied that whoever it is, is acting alone and that Mr Maher has absolutely no involvement.”

He said Ciaron Maher Racing cannot continue to employ the staff.

Maher was on Monday suspended for six months and fined $75,000 after pleading guilty to conduct prejudicial to racing.

The Caulfield Cup-winning trainer did not know about convicted conman Peter Foster’s involvement in the ownership of five horses in his stable including Group One winner Azkadellia, but accepts he should have known.