Tuahiwi trainer Paul Harris has had his trainer's licence cancelled following a New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing board meeting on Thursday.
In announcing the cancellation, NZTR said Harris was declared bankrupt by the High Court of New Zealand in August last year, prompting it to suspend
his licence. It gave him 21 days to provide reasons why his licence should not be suspended, withdrawn or cancelled. The time period was extended twice as Harris sought to have his bankruptcy declaration annulled in court.
The High Court heard Harris's case on January 29 and granted him a discharge from bankruptcy if he met conditions, including paying creditors 51c in the dollar of the amounts owed by February 8. The court subsequently granted Harris an extra two weeks to meet the conditions.
These conditions were provided to a meeting with NZTR and Racing Integrity Unit representatives on January 30, but by the time the NZTR board met on Thursday, the conditions had not been met, and NZTR cancelled his licence on the basis he did not meet the requirement of being ''financially sound and of good character'' as outlined in rule 303 (f).
Harris is able to reapply for a trainer's licence subject to being discharged from bankruptcy. He retains a stablehand licence.
Harris, who trained his first winner in 1999, picked up 425 wins as a trainer. He had a memorable 2002 New Zealand Cup week, winning the group 1 2000 Guineas with Hustler and collecting the group 2 New Zealand Cup three days later with Mike.
