Horse trainer Jarrod McLean has been suspended by Victorian racing stewards after he was charged with animal cruelty.
Racing Victoria suspended the 38-year-old trainer on Thursday night, hours after the initial inquiry began.
McLean was summoned to appear at the regulator's Melbourne headquarters after police charged him with animal cruelty offences, corruption and possessing cocaine.
His lawyer Patrick Wheelahan successfully argued the hearing should not be open to the public and reporters were kept out.
McLean was one of three licensed people called to separate inquiries at Racing Victoria on Thursday.
Tyson Kermond, 27, from Warrnambool is charged with six animal cruelty offences and one count of conspiracy to defraud Racing Victoria.
Another Warrnambool man William Hernan, 31, is charged with corrupt conduct.
Both stablehands were suspended.
All three men refused or failed to give evidence to the inquiry as directed by the stewards, Racing Victoria said.
While McLean and Hernan attended the inquiry, Kermond was represented by lawyers, Racing Victoria said in a statement.
The trio were charged along with Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir.
He is accused of multiple counts of torturing, abusing, overworking and terrifying horses and causing unreasonable pain or suffering.
Raids on Weir's properties at Ballarat and Warrnambool in January allegedly uncovered a gun and conductive energy devices, known as jiggers, in his bedroom.
McLean's Yangery property was also raided.
Weir has since been banned for four years from the industry by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board and sold his stables.
He is expected to face a Racing Victoria inquiry at a later date.
All four men are due in Melbourne Magistrates Court on October 23.
Australian Associated Press
