High profile Melbourne barrister Damian Sheales has vowed to "take it all the way to the High Court" if that's what is required to overturn a three-month disqualification handed down to Norm Loy by Racing NSW stewards.
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Stewards imposed the penalty to Loy last week after he posted on Facebook several expletive-ridden rants aimed at NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and the lockdown in the state.
An appeal was lodged to the NSW Racing Appeals Panel on Monday.
Sheales approached Loy about defending him and cited free speech and political expression as fundamental to democracy.
"The reason I offered to get involved was because as most people understand that in a democracy like Australia has, political speech and freedom to express political views is an absolute fundamental to every citizen," Sheales told RSN Racing & Sport.
"To come under the Rules of Racing it would need to be linked to racing ... in a way that damages racing.
"My own view which will be tested is that nobody can restrict a person's freedom of political expression.
"I think it's that simple."
ALSO IN SPORT
Sheales also said the penalty seemed excessive and 'extraordinary.'
"As you would be well aware he has copped a disqualification which is the same penalty for positive substances in horses that have competed in races," Sheales said.
"The penalty seems extraordinary.
"I haven't received any transcripts yet that will reveal what basis the stewards made the decision."
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