Owner turns on Edwards
Another disgruntled owner lashed out at Shane Edwards during a stewards' inquiry yesterday over the Perth Cup-winning trainer's dealings with horses.
Edwards' legal counsel, Tom Percy QC, called on owners James Ch'ng and Max Trott to give evidence as part of the trainer's defence of four charges over his handling of horses exported to Singapore.
But the move backfired when Ch'ng told the inquiry he "couldn't run away quick enough" from Edwards two years ago. He alleged Edwards sold Foreverclever without his permission.
He also claimed Edwards was dishonest in his dealings over Sister Phenomenon, of which Ch'ng owned 50 per cent.
"I told Shane he can't sell the horse (Foreverclever) without telling me," Ch'ng said via a telephone link.
"He told me it was no good. I said I don't care, but he had already sold it. He said Sister Phenomenon was no good and we could sell her as a broodmare.
"Shane owned 50 per cent and I had 50 per cent after buying Peter Bell's share. Then Shane tells me I don't own 50 per cent, the other 25 per cent is with Desmond Koh.
"I went to Koh's stable (in Singapore) to clear the issue and he was full of surprise when I told him he owned part of her.
"Eventually I had to sell the mare and I couldn't get the ID card so I went to stewards."
Ch'ng said the incidents with Edwards led to him giving several of his racehorses away.
"I don't have good experience with Mr Shane Edwards," Ch'ng said. "He gets away with things."
Edwards, who has been training in Malaysia for 18 months, appeared at the seventh sitting of the marathon inquiry yesterday.
He previously pleaded not guilty to charges of engaging in conduct prejudicial to the image of racing; giving a false or misleading statement in connection with the administration of racing; giving false or misleading evidence at an inquiry; and improper action by nominating Splitsville to race at two meetings with no intention for him to start.
In relation to the third charge, it was revealed yesterday that Edwards had given Koh authorisation for the transfers of ownership of Born Genius, Regal Rascal and Star Boronia.
At an earlier sitting, Edwards claimed Koh forged his signature. Yesterday he said he forgot he had given Koh authorisation.
The ownership transfers were done without permission from the horse's WA owners.
Edwards said he should not be responsible for keeping owners up to date on horses that had been leased to Singapore.
He believes he did not break a rule of racing by nominating Splitsville for races in 2007 because he scratched the horse before acceptances were taken.
Edwards' defence is expected to be completed today.
"I went to Koh's stable … and he was full of surprise when I told him he owned part of her."" *James Ch'ng *on Sister Phenomenon
