Tas handler stood down over horse ‘punch’

A barrier attendant who appeared to strike a racehorse in Tasmania has been stood down pending a stewards’ inquiry.

Video on social media appears to show the handler punching horse Century Arrow near barriers before race one at Launceston on Wednesday night.

The attendant, employed by Tasracing, wasn’t allowed to work the remainder of the meet.

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“Animal welfare is a strong focus for Tasracing, and we do not condone what appears to have occurred in the incident in question in any way,” CEO Vaughn Lynch said in a statement.

An inquiry was held after the race meeting but was adjourned.

Mr Lynch said Tasracing provides ongoing training to staff, which it regularly reviews.

It comes after apprentice jockey Dylan Caboche was last week handed a two week suspension for punching a horse in the mid-section at a South Australia meet.