Trainer Clive Balfour has penalty varied

Trainer Clive Balfour has had a six-month disqualification varied to a suspension on appeal.

Balfour was disqualified on October 5 after pleading guilty to three charges relating to the attempted treatment of three horses on the day they were due to race at Moe on September 25.

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Racing Victoria stewards scratched the horses from their respective races after receiving a report from their compliance assurance team which had conducted a race day inspection of Balfour’s stables.

Stewards gave Balfour a six-month disqualification for each of the three charges, one for each horse, with the penalties to be served concurrently.

The trainer appealed the severity of that penalty and on Tuesday the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board varied the disqualification to a six-month suspension, backdated to October 5.