Wagga trainer Trevor Sutherland issued with new charge surrounding alleged slaughter of racehorses

Just six weeks after Sutherland enjoyed a significant appeal victory, Racing NSW chairman of stewards Marc Van Gestel has confirmed a new charge levelled against the six-time Southern District premiership-winning trainer.

Sutherland will now be forced to answer a charge surrounding the movements of Hangin With Willy and Witchblade, two horses he trained.

Racing NSW stewards allege Sutherland did not fulfil his obligations by sending the two horses to a location that did not meet 'Racing NSW minimum standards'.

"Mr Sutherland has been issued with a charge under NSW LR114(5)(b)(i), (c) & (d) for sending the racehorses Hangin With Willy and Witchblade to a location which did not meet Racing NSW minimum standards, resulting in the horses being destroyed," Van Gestel said on Wednesday.

A date for the inquiry has not been set.

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Registered owner Donnchadh Brown, of Yass, has already been disqualified for four years for 'disposing' of Hangin' With Willy and Witchblade last July, as well as Redful and Rozzi some months before that. All four were trained by Sutherland.

Sutherland was previously found guilty of having disposed of racehorses Redfu and Rozzi, in the knowledge they were to be 'destroyed' in contravention of Racing NSW's rules, but had the charge, and three-year disqualification, overturned on appeal.

He also served a six-month disqualification for failing to lodge the relevant death notification form, and providing a false declaration, surrounding the death of Bless You Toby but appealed those findings.

It is understood that Sutherland had planned a return to training until the latest charge was received.

Sutherland did not return The Daily Advertiser's call on Wednesday but has maintained his innocence throughout the saga, strongly denying he sent horses to a third party with the expectation that they would be euthanised.

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