Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards, subsequent to their investigation, have issued the following charges against Luke Oliver, as the trainer of Hey Bella (the Horse), under Australian Rules of Racing 240(2) and 104(1).
Charge One: 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 12 April 2024, the Horse was brought to the Cranbourne Racecourse and was engaged to race in Race 7, Rosemont F&M Maiden Plate, over 1300 metres (the Race), finishing first.
- On 12 April 2024, a post-race urine sample was taken from the Horse (the Sample).
- An analysis of the Sample detected the presence of dexamethasone.
- Dexamethasone 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 dexamethasone was detected in the Sample by Racing Analytical Services Limited and by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory.
Dexamethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid hormone used to manage inflammation or conditions in which the immune system has a significant role.
Dexamethasone is commonly used in horses to treat allergic reactions such as respiratory allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (heaves), hives, itching and inflammatory diseases. It is registered for use in horses by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. The substance is, however, a prohibited substance under the 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).
Charge Two: AR 104(1) Trainers must keep treatment records
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(1) A trainer must record any medication or treatment administered to any horse in the trainer’s care by midnight on the day on which the administration was given.
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
- On 10 April 2024, Mr Oliver’s treatment records did not contain all medications or treatments administered to a horse under his care as required by AR 104(1).
The charges issued against Mr Oliver will be heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed.