Yuill and Durrant fined over race day treatments

Perth Turf Talk | Metropolitan Racing | Thu 20 December, 2012

Thursday, 20 December 2012
MEDIA RELEASE

Thoroughbred – Resumption of Stewards’ Inquiry – Trainer Mr Adam Durrant (CHESTER ROAD) and Trainer Mr Graham Yuill (MASCHINO) – Ascot Saturday, 8 December 2012

RWWA Stewards yesterday completed the adjourned Inquiries into the reasons for CHESTER ROAD receiving the anti-ulcer medication Gastrozol and MACHINO receiving Electrovite Paste prior to competing in Race 8, the tabtouch.mobi-Kingston Town Classic over 1800m at Ascot on Saturday, 8 December 2012.

Trainer Mr A Durrant subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge under ARR.178E(1) for causing the medication Gastrozol to be administered to CHESTER ROAD prior to it starting in the above race and he was subsequently fined the sum of $3,000.
In assessing this penalty Stewards took into account the nature of the substance in that Gastrozol contains the therapeutic drug omeprazole, used for treatment of ulcers, which is excepted as a prohibited substance under the provisions of ARR.178C (2) and that it had been orally administered by an unlicensed stable employee without his knowledge, with this only being brought to his attention by Stewards after CHESTER ROAD had arrived on course.

Further Mr Durrant also pleaded guilty to a charge under LR.80I (1) in that he failed to register a person employed by him in connection with the care of racehorses and he was subsequently fined the sum of $300.
Trainer Mr G Yuill pleaded guilty to a charge under ARR.178E(1) for causing the substance Electrovite Paste to be administered to MASCHINO prior to it starting in the above race and he was consequently fined the sum of $1,500. When considering penalty, Stewards considered that Electrovite Paste is a nutritional supplement and contains B Vitamins and electrolytes that do not contain any drugs or prohibited substances.
Common to both penalties issued under ARR.178E (1), Stewards took into account that security officers were employed and that specific written advice was issued by the Stewards which highlighted to all Trainers the rules relevant to race day treatments and the requirement to inform all staff of the provisions of such rules and their responsibilities in this regard and despite such measures the offences still occurred.
Additionally, Stewards also considered similar previous offences and the penalties imposed under ARR.178E (1) and in assessing this factor, were of the opinion that the previous penalties imposed no longer achieved the required deterrent effect, both specific and general and believed the imposition of fines similar to the previous amounts would be incommensurate with the circumstances of these offences.
Also in light of these, and previous offences under this rule, Stewards advise all Trainers that significantly increased penalties shall apply in future with an increased likelihood that horses being administered medication on race day prior to the horse running in a race, particularly medication containing a prohibited substance excepted under the rules, will be withdrawn from their engagements.

Media Contact: Brad Lewis – Chief Steward Thoroughbred Ph: 9445 5420 [email protected]

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