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Racing NSW Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the analysts’ finding of lignocaine in a pre-race blood sample taken from Promitto before it ran in Race 8 (Golden Rose Stakes, 1400m) conducted at the Rosehill Gardens race meeting on Saturday, 24 September 2022.

Evidence was today taken from trainer of Promitto, David Atkins and Racing NSW Veterinarian Dr Rose Bensley.

Charge

Mr Atkins pleaded guilty to a charge under AR240(2) in that, as the trainer of the racehorse Promitto at all relevant times up to and including Saturday, 24 September 2022, he did bring that colt to Rosehill Gardens racecourse on Saturday, 24 September 2022 for the purpose of participating in Race 8 (Golden Rose Stakes, 1400m) when a prohibited substance on Prohibited List B, namely lignocaine, was detected in the blood sample taken from Promitto before the race.

Penalty

The following matters were considered in respect to penalty:

1. Guilty plea & co-operation during the investigation and inquiry
2. Mr Atkins good disciplinary record
3. The finding occurring in a feature Group 1 race

Mr Atkins was fined $6000, reduced from $8000 for his guilty plea and other considerations.

 Promitto

In accordance with the provisions of AR240(1) Promitto was disqualified from its 10th placing in Race 8 (Golden Rose Stakes, 1400m).

Relevant Rules:

 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.

- S G Railton, Chairman of Stewards (Racing NSW)