Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards, subsequent to their investigation, have issued the following charge under the Australian Rule of Racing 240(2) against licensed trainer, Mr. Gerald Egan, as the trainer of Overloaded (the Horse), following the Horse finishing seventh in Race 4 at Wodonga & District Turf Club on 21 April 2023.
Charge One: AR 240 Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at race meeting
(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.
Particulars of Charge
1.
On 21 April 2023, the Horse was brought to the Wodonga Racecourse and was engaged to race in Race 4, the First National Bonnici and Associates Maiden Plate, over 1200 metres (the Race).
2.
On 21 April 2023, prior to the Race, a urine sample was taken from the Horse (the Sample).
3.
An analysis of the Sample detected the presence of Hydrocortisone.
4.
Hydrocortisone is a prohibited substances pursuant to Division 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 (Prohibited list B) of the Australian Rules of Racing.
The presence of Hydrocortisone was detected in the Sample by both Racing Analytical Service Limited and the Racing Science Centre.
Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid and is naturally produced in the horse by the adrenal gland in response to stress. Hydrocortisone and other synthetic corticosteroids can also be administered to horses for their anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic effects. They are often used in the treatment of musculoskeletal inflammation and allergic conditions. There are registered products for use in horses including injectable and oral formulations.
Hydrocortisone and other corticosteroids are prohibited when detected above a specific threshold in a sample taken from a horse at a race meeting or trial (including an official trial or a jump-out for the purpose of obtaining a permit to start in a race).
The charge issued against Mr. Egan will be heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed.