Cumani facing charges over strangles outbreak

Trainer Matt Cumani is facing disciplinary charges after failing to notify stewards of a strangles infection at his Ballarat stables for almost a month.

Racing Victoria stewards on Wednesday issued Cumani, the son of Newmarket trainer Luca Cumani, with two charges – one of conduct prejudicial to the image, interests, or welfare of racing, and the other for failing to notify Raving Victoria of the strangles infection in his stables.

Cumani's stables were declared an 'infected place' on November 24 last year, with stewards implementing a series of strict biosecurity measures, which were eventually lifted on December 22.

But stewards allege Cumani knew that one horse, Corrs, was infected with strangles as early as October 27.

They say Cumani received veterinary information and advice regarding the presence of the infectious respiratory disease in his stables on October 31 and November 18, among other dates, and failed to implement adequate biosecurity measures to prevent the direct and/or indirect spread (and the risk of spread) of strangles within his premises and to horses at other places.

No date has been set for Cumani's hearing before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board.