Elsworth fined over improper conduct

David Elsworth was hit with a heavy fine following an incident at Newmarket on Saturday.

The English trainer, whose 66-1 chance Indian Creek finished an excellent third in the day`s feature event the Stg£400,000 Dubai Champion Stakes, was fined Stg£1,500 following an episode with a racecourse security steward.

The stewards held an inquiry to consider a complaint made by a member of the security personnel and having heard the evidence they found Elsworth to be guilty of improper conduct and imposed the fine.

Newmarket`s managing director Lisa Hancock said this morning: 'There was an incident in the owners` and trainers` viewing area and it was reported to the stewards by the member of staff concerned.

'The stewards felt that he hadn`t behaved in the manner in which a trainer was expected to and hence put the fine to him.

'I think he admitted that his behaviour hadn`t been appropriate.

'I wasn`t present at the inquiry but it was reported back to me that he hadn`t behaved as appropriately as he might have.'

John Maxse, the Jockey Club`s press officer, added: 'It was a serious enough incident for the security staff to feel obliged to report it to the stewards and then also for the stewards to impose a fine of that level.'

Elsworth, who having been down the track with a horse, arrived late into the packed viewing area and chose to watch the race from a staircase.

'The whole incident amounted to the fact I watched the race from an unauthorised place,' the trainer commented.