VCAT rejects trainer appeal on doping penalty Upward spiral: Stradbroke Handicap aspirant Al Aneed wins with jockey Glen Boss aboard. Sydney trainer Con Karakatsanis failed in his appeal to have a nine-month disqualification overturned at VCAT on Tuesday and now faces a nervous wait as his legal team considers whether further appeal is worthwhile. Karakatsanis received the nine-month penalty and his father Tony a two-year ban during a Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board hearing early this year as the result of charges laid against both men regarding their attempt to treat sprinter Howmuchdoyouloveme prior to the Yellowglen Stakes on Victoria Derby Day last year. Karakatsanis was shaken by the VCAT dismissal on Tuesday and was unsure as to whether he and his father would take further action as they contemplate the ramifications of a lengthy stint away from racing. The RAD Board will hear charges laid against trainers Peter Gelagotis and Darren Weir next week as both trainers face charges over prohibited substances. Gelagotis was charged after ibuprofen was found in urine samples taken from Hvasstan following the horse's win in the group 2 Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley on March 15. He will front the RAD Board on Tuesday. Weir was charged when the diuretic Frusemide was found in urine samples taken from maiden winner Doing Our Best at Ballarat on February 16. He will face the RAD Board next Thursday. Meanwhile, RV integrity chief Dayle Brown said an announcement regarding the alleged use of peptides by Mornington trainer Dean Binaisse was expected early next week. Brown said samples had been taken from all horses at Binaisse's Mornington property and that the premises had been inspected with the trainer's full co-operation. ■ A wet spell in Brisbane hasn't provided much respite from a cold snap in Melbourne, but trainer Mick Price is confident that the change of scenery has helped Stradbroke Handicap aspirant Al Aneed to mend his wayward ways. Al Aneed is on the path to Queensland's major group 1 sprint via the group 3 Fred Best Classic at Doomben on Saturday, with Price looking forward to further improvement on the horse's sound Brisbane debut when runner-up in the Gold Coast Guineas a fortnight ago. I think the trip up [to Queensland] has cooled his colty brain down a bit. He's just one of those colts that are too lazy one minute and too hard at the bridle the next," Price said. With a handicap rating in the low 80s, Al Aneed must perform well in Saturday's contest to improve his chances of making the Stradbroke field next month.