Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards, subsequent to their investigation, have issued the following charge against Leslie Robertson, as the trainer of ‘Debit Credit’ (the Horse), under Australian Rule of Racing 240(2).
Charge: AR 240 Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at race meeting
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(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.
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
- On 21 March 2024, the Horse was brought to the Bendigo Racecourse and was engaged to race in Race 7, ‘The Big Screen Company Handicap over 1000 metres (the Race), finishing 9th out of 9 runners.
- On 21 March 2024, a pre-race urine sample was taken from the Horse (the Sample).
- An analysis of the Sample detected the presence of Dextrorphan and Guaifenesin.
- Dextrorphan and Guaifenesin are considered prohibited substances pursuant to Division 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 (Prohibited list B) of the Australian Rules of Racing.
The presence of Dextrorphan and Guaifenesin was detected in the Sample by Racing Analytical Services Limited and by the Australian Racing Forensics Laboratory.
Dextromethorphan and Guaifenesin come combined in some medications to treat cold and flu symptoms. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. Guaifenesin is an expectorant that thins mucus to ease chest congestion.
In addition, Dextromethorphan acts as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant or stimulant, depending on the dose, and Guaifenesin is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant.
Dextrorphan and Guaifenesin are prohibited substances under Australian Rules of Racing when detected 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 Robertson will be heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed.