I attended the Appeal Tribunal last Wednesday as the Geoff Small case got underway and while I left a little bamboozled with all of the technical matters presented in the afternoon session it sure was an interesting day.

First up Small announced that he would be pleading not guilty after pleading guilty initially at the steward's inquiry. The judge made him understand that the stewards had given him a discount on penalty for his guilty plea at the initial inquiry and the judge had the power to increase his 2 year disqualification should he deem it necessary.

Small and his travelling foreman Brad Mowbray gave evidence in the morning and Small readily admitted giving the horse tranexamic acid soon after his disappointing effort in the Miracle Mile after consulting with his New Zealand vet Tim Montgomery. The question was asked of the leading Kiwi trainer what would a 2 year disqualification mean to him and his response was career ruining.

The afternoon session was a lot slower as Small's defence called veterinarian Dr Ron Lloyd and he gave his evidence. The most interesting part of what Dr Lloyd had to say was that tranexamic acid, in his opinion, has no effect on the cardiovascular system.

As I understand it, tranexamic acid itself, is not currently on the banned list of substances but was thought to be covered under the Australian Harness Racing rule 188A 1a which states that a horse can't be given any substances that are capable at any time of acting on one or more of the following mammalian body systems including the cardiovascular system. In New Zealand the rule is more defined and any substance that acts directly or indirectly on the blood system is prohibited.

So basically when the Appeal Tribunal resumes on November 4th there will be great argument from a number of experts as to whether tranexamic acid acts on the cardiovascular system or not. If the Judge rules that it doesn't, then Small may well get off, however if the stewards can show that tranexamic acid does act on the cardiovascular system then Small's penalty could be greater than 2 years disqualification.

This case will have a great bearing on those trainers with positive tests to aminocaproic acid. As I understand aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid are both very similar and if Small does get off then the other trainers will only need to present the same argument. There would be several trainers in both harness racing and galloping waiting for the decision in this case.

The week didn't get better for Small. When Changeover arrived at Addington on Friday night with a nasty flesh wound on his hip the club vet made the decision to scratch the horse from the ninth event. Small wasn't at the meeting and after discussions with his stable staff a decision was made that All Tiger would not be presented on the track for the same event and as a result the stewards were forced to scratch All Tiger too.

Small was charged and it is alleged that he acted in a way that was detrimental to the interests of harness racing in not presenting All Tiger on the track. Small was also charged with using insulting and abusive language towards officials as well.

Small's Victorian matter with Zenad and aminocaproic acid was due to start in Melbourne today and it will be interesting to see whether it has started or not.

I understand there was plenty of debate at the Harness Racing Australian Annual General Meeting as to whether a protest rule would be introduced for those drivers who use the whip incorrectly after January 1 2010 when the new whips rules will come into force. To put it simply the main changes will see drivers forced to carry a rein in each hand and they may only take a hand off the rein when adjusting gear and when the whip is used it is only to be used in a flicking motion.

Simply put, you can't have the new whips rules without a protest rule! If there was no protest rule what would stop a driver using his shoulder and elbow to wind up and hit the horse with the stick in a close finish or a big race? There has to be a deterrent and while it could be argued that a fine would suffice, I am sure an owner wouldn't begrudge paying a driver's fine if they had helped a horse over the line to win a big race like an Inter Dominion. The stewards will need to police the rule strictly and it will need to be recognised Australia wide otherwise participants and punters are going to become extremely confused.

There was also some talk about streamlining the Grand Circuit and I believe this is a must. There are too many races being recognised with this prestigious title and I think that the Grand Circuit should be limited to no more than 10 races, with the Inter Dominion as the peak event.

If every racing state in Australia had the option to run one event and the two islands of New Zealand hosted a Grand Circuit event, it would mean 8 races are being run. Grand Circuit guidelines need to be set as well with a minimum prizemoney stake for all races. If states can't meet the funding levels then they shouldn't be able to run them.

In wrapping up this week, congratulations to Anthony Bucca who won the feature race at Harold Park on Friday night with Johnny El Gringo. Bucca does a great job with a small team and works a full time job too. Johnny El Gringo hasn't been an easy horse to train with so many leg problems but Bucca knows his horse very well and should be congratulated for his efforts so far. Twelve Paces finished second in the event and looks set to record a victory at headquarters soon while the Fitzpatrick pair of Ballbarboy and Make Me Smile will be fitter for the runs. Catch you next week.