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Background

On 26 April 2025, Racing NSW Investigator Ms Nikki Burke was conducting race bag, float and horse transport inspections as part of her duties while at Newcastle Racecourse. During the course of her duties, Ms Burke had cause to interact with licensed trainer Mr Craig Roberts. During the course of that interaction, it was alleged that:

- While Ms Burke was conducting a routine float inspection on Mr Roberts’ vehicle, Mr Roberts pushed the door of the truck onto Mr Burke, applying pressure as he did. The effect of this was that Ms Burke was temporarily unable to remove herself from the vehicle;

- Mr Roberts, when directed to attend the Stewards room following the aforementioned conduct, said words to the effect of “Get stuffed, I can do what I want”. It is further alleged that while speaking to Ms Burke, he did so in an aggressive manner;

- During a subsequent interaction between Mr Roberts and Ms Burke at the tie-up stalls, Mr Roberts intentionally pushed past Ms Burke, making contact with her body;

- On multiple occasions, Mr Roberts was given directions to attend the Stewards room, however, on each occasion he failed to comply with the directions.

An investigation was conducted into the allegations, including conducting interviews with industry participants who were present during the incident. On 29 April 2025, having considered the evidence obtained, Stewards issued four charges as outlined below.

Stewards also formed the opinion that Mr. Roberts’ continued participation in the Thoroughbred Industry posed an unacceptable risk of prejudicing the image, interests, integrity or welfare of racing.

Accordingly, under the provisions of AR23, Stewards suspended his trainer's licence pending the hearing and determination of the charges.

At today’s hearing in relation to the charges, Stewards heard oral evidence in addition to the material previously compiled in the brief of evidence during the investigation. Stewards then determined the charges as follows:

Charges issued against Mr Craig Roberts

Charge 1: AR228(c) – Improper behaviour

The details of the charge being that about 1:20pm on 26 April 2025 while at Newcastle Racecourse, he engaged in improper behaviour by directing improper and aggressive language towards Racing NSW Investigator Ms Nikki Burke. Additionally, while Ms Burke was conducting a float inspection, he pushed the door of the vehicle onto Ms Burke and applied pressure, preventing her from removing herself.

Plea: Not Guilty

Finding: Guilty

Charge 2: AR228(c) – Improper behaviour

The details of the charge being that on 26 April 2025 while at Newcastle Racecourse, he engaged in improper behaviour by, while Racing NSW Investigator Ms Nikki Burke was standing in front of him, he moved forward contacting the right side of Ms Burke’s body, causing immediate pain to her right wrist.

Plea: Not Guilty

Finding: Guilty

Charge 3: AR232(d)(ii) - Obstruct, hinder or delay the investigator in exercising their powers

The details of the charge being that at on 26 April 2025, while at Newcastle Racecourse, during a float inspection conducted by Racing NSW Investigator Ms Nikki Burke, he pushed the door of the vehicle onto Ms Burke and applied pressure, preventing her from removing herself. In addition, having been directed not to leave the racecourse and to report to the Stewards room by Ms Burke, and while she was standing in front of him, he moved forward and made contact with the right side of her body. He then left the racecourse. His conduct in closing the door of the truck while applying pressure, and pushing past Ms Burke to leave the racecourse, did obstruct, hinder, and delay Ms Burke in the execution of her duties.

Plea: Not Guilty

Finding: Guilty

Charge 4: AR232(d)(i) - Refuse to obey a reasonable direction

The details of the charge being that on 26 April 2025 while at Newcastle Racecourse, he was on four separate occasions, a given direction by Racing NSW Investigator Ms Nikki Burke to attend the Newcastle Racecourse Stewards room. He refused to obey these reasonable directions.

Plea: Not Guilty

Finding: Guilty

Penalty

The following penalty considerations were taken into account:

- Objective seriousness of the breaches
- Lack of contrition or remorse
- Precedent penalties
- Personal and professional circumstances
- Principles of specific and general deterrence and what message is sent to the industry in respect to such conduct
- The purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image, interests and welfare of the Thoroughbred Racing Industry

Charge 1: AR228(c) – 3 months disqualification of licence.

Charge 2: AR228(c) – 12 months disqualification of licence.

Charge 3: AR232(d)(ii) – 9 months disqualification of licence.

Charge 4: AR232(d)(i) – 9 months disqualification of licence.

Having regard to the principles of totality of penalty, the Stewards ruled that the total period of disqualification is 24 months to commence on 29 April 2025 being the date Mr Roberts’ licence was suspended under the provisions of AR23, and to expire on 29 April 2027 at which time he may reapply for a licence.

Mr. Roberts was advised of his appeal rights.

- M.W. Cleaver (Operations Manager - Integrity, Racing NSW)

Relevant Rules

AR 228 Conduct detrimental to the interests of racing

A person must not engage in:

(c) improper or insulting behaviour at any time towards a PRA, the Stewards, a Club, or any official, employee, contractor or agent of any of them in relation to the relevant person’s functions, powers or duties;

AR 232 Failure to observe processes and directions of PRAs or Stewards

A person must not:

(d) while any investigator appointed by a PRA under AR 15(c) is exercising their powers, performing their functions or carrying out their duties:

(i) refuse to obey a reasonable direction of the investigator;

(ii) obstruct, hinder or delay the investigator in exercising their powers, performing their functions or carrying out their duties; or

AR23 Suspension pending the hearing and determination of a charge

Without limiting any other rules or Stewards’ powers, if a person has been charged with a breach of the Rules or with the commission of an indictable criminal offence, and if the Stewards are of the opinion that the continued participation of that person in racing might pose an unacceptable risk of prejudicing the image, interests, integrity or welfare of racing, the Stewards may pending the hearing and determination of the charge:

(a) suspend any license, registration, right or privilege, granted to that person under these Australian Rules