Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards, subsequent to their investigation, have issued two charges against Maxim Van Lierde, as the trainer of Gentian Blue (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
(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 31 August 2024, the Horse was brought to the Caulfield Racecourse and was engaged to run in Race 3, the Evergreen Turf BM78 Handicap, over 1800 metres (the Race), finishing fourth.
- On 31 August 2024, a pre-race urine sample was taken from the Horse (the Sample).
- An analysis of the Sample detected the presence of the metabolites of Lignocaine, namely 3-Hydroxylignocaine and Norlignocaine.
- Lignocaine and its metabolites 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 3-Hydroxylignocaine and Norlignocaine were detected in the Sample by Racing Analytical Services Limited and by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory.
Lignocaine is a local anaesthetic agent commonly used for topical and local anaesthesia. It also has analgesic and antiarrhythmic properties. Lignocaine is registered for use in horses and is available in a range of formulations (injectable and topical). It is often present in topical preparations used to treat a variety of skin conditions in horses. Lignocaine and its metabolites are prohibited substances 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
(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.
(2) For the purpose of subrule (1), each record of administration must include the following information:
(a) the name of the horse;
(b) the date and time of administration of the treatment or medication;
(c) the name of the treatment or medication administered (brand name or active constituent);
(d) the route of administration including by injection, stomach tube, orally, topical application or inhalation;
(e) the amount of medication given (if applicable);
(f) the duration of treatment (if applicable);
(g) the name and signature of the person/s administering and/or authorising the administration of the treatment or medication.
(h) the reason for administering the treatment or medication.
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
- On 27 and 28 August 2024, the Horse was administered a topical cream, SOOV, in the treatment of a recurring leg wound. Mr Van Lierde failed to record all medications or treatments administered to the Horse by the end of the day on which the administration was given, as required by AR 104(1).
The charges issued against Mr Van Lierde will be heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed.