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Racing NSW Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the Analysts’ findings of altrenogest in the pre-race blood sample taken from Battleton prior to the gelding competing in Race 7, the Coffs Harbour Cup conducted at Coffs Harbour Racecourse on 4 August 2023

Evidence was taken from Mr Bjorn Baker, trainer of Battleton, Racing NSW Chief  Veterinary Officer, Dr Peter Curl and ARFL General Manager, Mr John Keledjian.

Charge – AR240(2)
The details of the charge being that licensed trainer Mr Bjorn Baker did commit a breach of AR240(2) due to the following matters.

1. Mr Baker is a licensed trainer with Racing NSW and was the trainer of Battleton when the gelding was brought to Coffs Harbour Racecourse on 4 August 2023 for the  purposes of participating in Race 7 the Coff Harbour Cup on that day.
2. Prior to the running of Race 7 a blood sample was taken from Battleton.
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.
• Licensing history.
• Mr Baker’s co-operation with Racing NSW Stewards during the investigation.
• Mr Baker’s personal and professional circumstances.
• Purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image and interests of the Thoroughbred Racing Industry.
• Although Stewards were not able to establish the exact cause of the horse’s exposure to altrenogest, it was more likely the result of contamination.

Mr Baker was fined $4000, reduced from $6000 for his guilty plea and other relevant matters.

Battleton
In accordance with the provisions of AR240(1), Battleton was disqualified from its fifth placing in Race 7, Coffs Harbour Cup conducted at Coffs Harbour on 4 August 2023 and the placings amended as follows:

06. Attractable - 1st
12. King Of The Castle - 2nd
03. Hail Manhattan - 3rd
01. Hosier - 4th
11. Stonecoat - 5th
14. Point Counterpoint - 6th
13. The Ritz - 7th
18. Baglioni - 8th

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
• 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.