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Racing NSW Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the Analysts’ findings of altrenogest in a post-race blood sample taken from Token Capitalist following the gelding winning Race 4 (3 & 4YO Benchmark 72 Handicap, 1600m) conducted at Gosford on 6 May 2023.

Evidence was taken from trainer of Token Capitalist, Annabel Neasham, Racing NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Peter Curl and ARFL General Manager, John Keledjian.

Charge – AR240(2)

The details of the charge being that licensed trainer Ms Annabel Neasham did commit a breach of AR240(2) due to the following matters.

1. Ms Neasham is a licensed trainer with Racing NSW and was the trainer of Token Capitalist when the gelding was brought to Gosford Racecourse on 6 May 2023 for the purposes of participating in Race 4 (3 & 4YO Benchmark 72 Hcp, 1600m) on that day.
2. Following the running of Race 4, a post-race blood sample was taken from Token Capitalist.
3. Altrenogest was detected in such sample when analysed by two Official Racing Laboratories namely, the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory and Racing Analytical Services Ltd.
4. Altrenogest is a prohibited substance on Prohibited List B when detected in a gelding.

Penalty

The Stewards considered the following matters in respect to penalty.

• Guilty plea.
• Ms Neasham’s full co-operation with Racing NSW Stewards during the investigation.
• Ms Neasham’s personal and professional circumstances.
• Purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image and interest of the thoroughbred racing industry.
• Although Stewards were not able to establish the exact cause of the exposure of altrenogest, it was more likely the result of contamination.

Ms Neasham was fined $4000, reduced from $6000 for her guilty plea and other relative matters.

Token Capitalist

In accordance with the provisions of AR240(1), Token Capitalist was disqualified from its first placing in Race 4 (3 & 4YO Benchmark 72, 1600m) conducted at Gosford on 6 May 2023 and the placings amended as follows:

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

• 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.
• 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.