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Racing NSW Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the analyst’s findings of phenylbutazone and its metabolites in a post-race urine sample taken from Comzig after it won the Benchmark 58 Handicap, 1600m at the City of Dubbo Turf Club meeting on Friday, 14 June 2019.

Evidence was taken from the trainer of Comzig, Garry Lunn, who also represented the interests of the owner; ARFL science manager, Dr Adam Cawley, and Racing NSW Chief Veterinarian, Dr Toby Koenig.

Garry Lunn pleaded guilty to a breach of AR240(2) in that as the licensed trainer of Comzig at all times leading up to and including the 14th June 2019, he did present that gelding to race in the Benchmark 58 Handicap, 1600m at the City of Dubbo Turf Club meeting held at Dubbo Racecourse on Friday, 14th June 2019, where a urine sample taken from it following its win in that race was found upon analysis to contain the banned substances Phenylbutazone, Oxyphenbutazone and Gamma hydroxy phenylbutazone.

Garry Lunn was fined $7000. In assessing penalty, Stewards took into consideration trainer Garry Lunn’s guilty plea, his personal circumstances, his stable security and stable husbandry practices.

Mr Lunn was advised of his right of appeal.

Stewards acting under the powers of AR240(1), disqualified Comzig from its 1st placing in the aforementioned event and amended the placings to read:

1st – Modern Family
2nd – Thunderzone (NZ)
3rd – Helstar
4th – The Frick
5th – The Cyprian (NZ)

Mr Lunn representing the owners was advised of the appeal rights in relation to the disqualification of the gelding under AR240(1).

Relevant Rules :
Division 2 – Prohibited substance in a sample taken from a horse
AR 240 Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at race meeting 
(1) Subject to subrule (3), if a horse is brought to a racecourse and a prohibited substance on Prohibited List A and/or Prohibited List B is detected in a sample taken from the horse prior to or following its running in any race, the horse must be disqualified from any race in which it started on that day. 
(2) Subject to subrule (3), if a horse is brought to a racecourse for the purpose of participating in a race and a prohibited substance on Prohibited List A and/or Prohibited List B is detected in a sample taken from the horse prior to or following its running in any race, the trainer and any other person who was in charge of the horse at any relevant time breaches these Australian Rules.