Non Raceday Request for a Ruling – Written Decision dated 18 July 2023 – STALLONE

RULING MADE ON THE PAPERS BY THE CONSENT OF ALL PARTIES

1. On 10 June 2023, the horse “STALLONE” trained by Ms Clement competed in, and won, Race 6 – the “Manawatu ITM Door Department 1300” – at the Manawatu Racing Club Meeting at Awapuni.  The horse is owned by Mr G Meredith.

2. The post-race swab of “STALLONE”, when analysed by the NZ Racing Laboratory Services, revealed a positive analysis to the Prohibited Substance Dexamethasone.  That substance is a corticosteroid anti-inflammatory agent often used to treat horses for allergic reactions including respiratory allergies, obstructive pulmonary disease, skin ailments and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.  When administered to a horse, it is said to have a detection time of 5 days and a possible withholding period of 7 days.

3. When later interviewed on 29 June 2023, Ms Clement said that “STALLONE” had not been administered this substance.  Although she did have a bottle of Dexamethasone in the Stable medicine cabinet, this had only been given to her by a Vet after 10 June 2023 and in order to treat another horse.  She was unable to provide any reasonable explanation as to why there was a positive analysis from “STALLONE”.

4. Further inquiries revealed that the Vet had treated another horse in the Stable with Dexamethasone on 23 May 2023 and again on 12 June (2 days after the race in question).  He advised that he had then left the bottle containing Dexamethasone with Ms Clement.  “STALLONE” was last treated by the Vet on 6 June 2023 (4 days before the race) by injection with another substance that does not contain Dexamethasone.

5. The Adjudicative Committee is not required to determine how the Prohibited Substance came to be in the system of the horse when it raced on 10 June 2023.  If a horse competed in any race, with a Prohibited Substance in its system, it must be disqualified under Rule 804(1).  It is mandatory, so as to ensure all horses in a race compete on an “even playing field”.

6. Both Ms Clement and Mr Meredith have accepted that disqualification must follow.

7. Accordingly, the Adjudicative Committee orders that “STALLONE” be disqualified from first placing in the race, and the amended placings of the Judge, and revised stakes payable, are:

1st   BRADMAN         Stake $17,250

2nd  PRIORESS          Stake $5,550

3rd   KAI                     Stake $2,700

4th   MAOLLA MISS   Stake $1,500

5th   WINKLE BAY      Stake $750

The remaining 4 horses are of necessity elevated one place, but stakes which were payable from 6th to 10th of $450 to which they are entitled, remain unaltered.