His 3½ year disqualification from racing handed down by the Victorian Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board last week has kicked in early after VCAT refused him a stay which would have allowed him to keep training as his appeal played out.

VCAT declined to provide an explanation for the stay not being granted.

But a VCAT spokeswoman confirmed a directions hearing would be held on January 16 to decide a way forward in the case which could include setting a date.

Cox has about 30 horses on his books and those presently in work must be cleared under the RAD Board ban requirements and all transferred to the other trainers before they can race again.

The board disqualified the 11-time Wodonga Cup and three-time Albury Cup winning trainer for three years on four charges of administration of a banned substance, 12 months on a charge of possession of a banned substance, six months on two charges of improper conduct for manhandling stewards and three months for providing false and misleading information.

Several of the bans are being served concurrently.

Albury-based veterinarian Bob Fielding, who supplied Cox with the banned drug Nitrotain, avoided being “warned off” and instead was fined $20,000 in the marathon case which began with a stable inspection in March.

Racing Victoria confirmed the trainer's ban would start immediately and horses had to be cleared from the stable before the weekend.

“Mr Cox has applied to VCAT for the review of parts of the RAD Board’s decisions which resulted in findings of guilt for eight breaches of the Australian Rules of Racing and in his disqualification,” a statement said.

“VCAT today heard and denied an application by Mr Cox for a stay of proceedings pending the hearing of that review application.”

Leading city trainers Danny O'Brien and Mark Kavanagh are fighting similar lengthy bans at VCAT, but can still train.