A MELBOURNE horse trainer has been capsicum sprayed by police upon his return from a successful trip to Wangaratta on Tuesday.
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Flemington trainer Saab Hasan was attempting to enter his stables about 6.45pm when the incident occurred.
His mare Red Gucci had won a maiden at Wangaratta.
Hasan claims a police officer refused him entry to his stables despite having shown his racing industry accreditation including photo identification.
The trainer then got out of his car to unload the horse from the float to walk her into the stables when showered with capsicum spray.
Hasan told radio station RSN 927 he was “actually quite dumbfounded" by the incident.
“I couldn't leave (Red Gucci) on the float, particularly as Wangaratta is a three-hour drive and we got stuck in traffic,” he said.
"He refused me entry and said I have to keep going straight. 'You've left me no choice' I said and 'I am going to unload the horse and walk it home'.
“He said 'If you do that I am going to arrest you', so I said 'The welfare of my horse comes first' so I got out of my car to take the horse off the float and he capsicum sprayed me.”
Hasan lodged a formal complaint at Moonee Ponds police station after the incident.
He wants an apology and for the officer to be disciplined.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said an investigation was underway after an alleged incident where a horse trainer was sprayed with OC spray at 6.45pm on Melbourne Cup day.
Victoria Racing Club and Racing Victoria are also investigating the incident.
Red Gucci won the 1170m maiden at Wangaratta as the $1.90 favourite with Brooke Sweeney the winning rider.
