Charged trainer may carry on

Alan Berry, the Lancaster-based English trainer who is one of 11 people charged by London police with conspiracy to commit fraud, has been granted permission to continue training while the investigation into alleged race-fixing continues.

Britain's Horseracing Regulatory Authority issued the decisions Wednesday after a Tuesday hearing . The racing authority decided that, because any possible trial in the matter will not start until at least the spring of 2007, that it would be inappropriate to ban him from his trade.

The decision bodes well for Kieren Fallon, the jockey who has been charged with the same offense as Berry. Technically, Fallon's license to ride in Britain expired on Monday, when charges were filed against him. His hearing before the racing authority is scheduled for Friday, a day before he is set to ride Aussie Rules in the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park.

Any ban on Fallon for his alleged wrongdoing would have effect only in Britain, however. Because Fallon's jockey's license was issued in Ireland, the Irish Turf Club will allow him to continue riding there until further notice. Two British-based riders charged along with Fallon, Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams, will also have their hearings for reinstatement heard by the racing authority on Friday.