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Racing NSW Stewards have concluded an inquiry into reports from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) and Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) which confirmed the presence of Dexamethasone in a pre-race blood sample taken from Coup De Main prior to the gelding participating in Race 2 (The Highway Class 3 Handicap, 1200m) conducted at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on 2 November 2019.

Evidence was taken from trainer of Coup De Main at the relevant time, Matthew Dale, veterinary surgeon Dr. Rebecca Walshe, Racing NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Toby Koenig, and ARFL Science Manager Dr Adam Cawley.

The evidence established that Mr. Dale, in consultation with his veterinarian Dr Walshe, authorised Dr Walshe to perform the administration of the corticosteroid’s dexamethasone as sodium phosphate and phenylpropionate by injection to the back of Coup De Main. This treatment occurred 4 days in addition to the recommended withholding period advised by Dr Walshe prior to the gelding running at Rosehill Gardens on 2 November 2019.

Charge against Mr Dale
Mr Dale subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge under AR240(2) of having brought Coup De Main to Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on Saturday, 2 November 2019 for the purpose of participating in Race 2 (The Highway Class 3 Handicap, 1200m) when a blood sample taken from the gelding prior to it running in that race was found, upon analysis, to contain the prohibited substance dexamethasone.

Penalty
In assessing penalty Stewards considered the following matters

1. Mr Dale’s record in respect to similar offences, which showed one prior offence in 2014,
2. Guilty plea,
3. Relevant circumstances of the matter,
4. Precedent penalties.

Mr Dale was fined $4000 and advised of his appeal rights.

Coup De Main
In accordance with the provisions of AR240(1), Coup De Main was disqualified from its eleventh placing in Race 2 – The Highway Class 3 Handicap 1200m conducted at Rosehill Racecourse on 2 November 2019 and the placing’s amended accordingly.

Relevant Rules
Division 2 – Prohibited substance in a sample taken from a horse

AR 240 Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at a 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.