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Racing NSW Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the analysts’ finding of lignocaine in a post-race blood sample taken from Burrandana after it won Race 4 (Country Boosted Class 2 Handicap, 1400m) conducted at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club race meeting at Wagga on Thursday, 26 January 2023.

Evidence was today taken from trainer of Burrandana, Mr Peter Morgan, Racing NSW Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Peter Curl, and Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory General Manager, John Keledjian. Mr Morgan also represented the interests of the owners of Burrandana in respect to the provisions of AR240(1).

Charge
Mr Morgan pleaded guilty to a charge under AR240(2) in that, as the trainer of the racehorse Burrandana at all relevant times up to and including Thursday, 26 January 2023, he did bring that gelding to Murrumbidgee Turf Club's Wagga Racecourse on Thursday, 26 January 2023 for the purpose of participating in Race 4 (Country Boosted Class 2 Handicap, 1400m) when a prohibited substance on Prohibited List B, namely lignocaine, was detected in the blood sample taken from Burrandana after the race.

Penalty
The following matters were considered in respect to penalty:

1. Guilty plea & co-operation during the investigation and inquiry
2. Mr Morgan's good disciplinary record of over 50 years
3. Mr Morgan’s personal and professional circumstances
4. Purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image and interests of the thoroughbred racing industry.

Mr Morgan was fined $4000, reduced from $6000 for his guilty plea and other considerations.

Burrandana
In accordance with the provisions of AR240(1) Burrandana was disqualified from its first placing in the Country Boosted Class 2 Handicap, 1400m conducted at Wagga on Thursday, 26 January 2023.

The placing amendments are as followed:

Bianco Vilano - 1st
Exalted Dennis - 2nd
Snap Book - 3rd
Gold Tracker - 4th
Vella Fox - 5th
Aerobatic Warrior - 6th
Bubbler - 7th

Relevant Rules:
AR 240 Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at race meeting
(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.
(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.