WODONGA racehorse trainer Brian Cox and Albury vet Bob Fielding have been hit with guilty charges by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board in a marathon case dating back to March this year. Cox was slapped with additional charges of administering a banned substance and giving false or misleading evidence to stewards. Dr Fielding was charged with engaging in a dishonest or improper action and conduct which could have led to a breach of the rules of racing. The leading trainer had already pleaded guilty to charges including manhandling stewards and possession of a banned substance during a stable inspection in March. The latest charges were handed down by the three-member RAD Board on Wednesday after a hearing started in Melbourne in August. The next step in the case will be the RAD Board hearing submissions on penalty which is slated for November 15. Administration of a prohibited substance under the rules of racing carries an automatic two-year disqualification. The RAD Board found Cox and Dr Fielding not guilty of separate charges relating to racehorse, Cochrane’s Gap. During the hearing the board was told stable employee Anika Basiak had attempted to "set-up" Cox with her claims about the use of the banned substance Nitrotain, which was found in a fridge at the trainer's stable. But in a summary provided by panel chairman Judge John Bowman, he said Ms Basiak "impressed" as a witness. "We accept the evidence of Ms Basiak in relation to the key issues of administrering Nitrotain to Minnie Downs and Baby Jack on the relevant occasions at the direction of Brian Cox," Judge Bowman said. Evidence tendered by Cox's brother Nigel was rejected. "We were not impressed by him as a witness," Judge Bowman said. The judge expressed "some sadness" in rejecting evidence of Dr Fielding, who has never been the subject of any previous court or disciplinary action. Also evidence from Dr Fielding's practice manager, Elissa Koch, about a false invoice was dismissed.
