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Racing NSW Stewards today conducted an inquiry into two Analysts’ findings of Firocoxib in a blood sample taken from Another Dime prior it placing fourth in Race 7 (Maiden Handicap, 1410m) at Ballina Racecourse on 30 March 2023.

Evidence was taken from licensed trainer Gregory Booth who was assisted by Mr James Murdoch KC.

Racing NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Peter Curl and ARFL General Manager Dr John Keledjian assisted the proceedings.

Mr Booth pleaded guilty to the following charge -

Charge – AR240(2) Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at race meeting

The details of the charge being that he did present Another Dime to participate in Race 7 (Maiden Handicap, 1410m) at Ballina Racecourse on 30 March 2023 and a blood sample taken from the filly prior to the race was found upon analysis to contain the prohibited substance Firocoxib.

Stewards considered the following matters in respect to penalty –

1. Plea.
2. Disciplinary and licence history.
3. Personal and professional circumstances.
4. The nature and circumstances of the offence.
5. Precedent penalties.
6. Principles applied by stewards when issuing penalties.

Stewards believed the appropriate penalty for the offence be a fine of $7,000. Allowing for a guilty plea and mitigating factors, a $5,000 fine was issued.

Acting under the requirements of AR240(1), Another Dime was disqualified from its fourth placing in Race 7 (Maiden Handicap, 1410m) conducted at Ballina Racecourse on 30 March 2023 and the placings amended accordingly.

Mr Booth was advised of his appeal rights.

Relevant Rules
AR 240 (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.

AR240(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.