Laban wins injunction against TTRA

APPRENTICE rider Gary Laban won an injunction against the Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority yesterday, restraining them from banning him for ten days. The injunction frees Laban to ride at the big Indian Arrival Day meeting which include the first of the classic triple crown, the UPTC Guineas and Eric “Colt” Durant Memorial Handicap. Laban, through attorney Anand Ramlogan, was granted leave to challenge the ban by Justice Carlton Best in the San Fernando Supreme Court.

The ban was first slapped on young Laban by the Arima Race Club stewards  and confirmed by the TTRA, following an incident astride Carefree on Day 11 of the ARC season on April 16 last, which was deemed “reckless riding.” Laban is asking the court to “quash the decision of the TTRA to dismiss his appeal and declare that he was treated illegally and unfairly in violation of the rules of natural justice.” Following an appeal by Laban the TTRA found, after viewing a video tape of the race, there was no merit in the grounds of appeal. 

He is also challenging a long-standing policy of the TTRA which prevents attorneys representing jockeys from participating in the hearing of their appeals. Hearing of the matter was fixed for Tuesday. In his affidavit evidence, Laban accused TTRA chairman Joe Hadeed of constantly badgering him at the hearing, which made him feel intimidated and was deprived of his right to a fair hearing. And Laban claimed the tribunal was biased against him because it allowed steward David Loregnard to remain in the room throughout the hearing, while he was a party to the decision to impose the ban originally.