Key research is being conducted that the Australian Trainers’ Association hopes will have “profound implications” for a number of trainers caught up in racing’s ongoing drug saga.
Five Victorian trainers were fined in March after a banned substance was found in their horses. Racing Victoria initially raised the possibility that the trainers involved may have either deliberately or accidentally administered the banned substances, only to later concede that the substances may, in fact, be naturally produced by horses.
The trainers say they essentially had no choice but to plead guilty to a presentation charge and have now paid a significant financial price through legal fees, lost prizemoney and fines. Stakes-winning mare Sirileo Miss is the highest-profile horse to return a positive to Formestane.
A number of trainers still face legal proceedings regarding Formestane, claiming they have no idea how the substance entered their horses’ systems.
Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison has previously said it was the organisation’s belief that the trainers had done nothing wrong, but under the rules of racing, the stewards had no choice but to prosecute.
The ATA told Betsy it recently met with Racing Victoria, which is now conducting research to determine whether the banned substance is naturally produced in horses.
“Of particular significance is that Racing Victoria is currently conducting studies to determine whether the Formestane positives in question are endogenous in nature, that is, whether they may occur naturally in horses rather than as a result of any deliberate administration,” ATA CEO Stephen Bell said.
“The ATA considers this research to be critically important. Its findings have profound implications not only for the trainers already penalised, but for the cohort of members still facing charges. We believe it is essential that the outcomes of this research are properly considered in all remaining cases.”
Bell said despite the guilty findings and subsequent fines, the representative body is backing the trainers, including those set to face fresh legal proceedings.
A number of trainers, including Patrick Payne and Tom Dabernig, are set to have their cases heard imminently.
“The ATA is strongly supportive of the trainers involved. The impact these proceedings have had on hard-working men and women in our industry is a matter of deep concern to us, and that concern has been communicated directly and repeatedly to Racing Victoria,” Bell said.
“We will continue to engage actively with Racing Victoria on behalf of all affected members, both those who have already been through the process and those still to come.”
Bell declined to answer questions regarding the fines handed down or Racing Victoria’s handling of the saga.
“On the specific conduct of the hearings, the evidence presented, and the penalties imposed, the ATA is mindful that a number of cases remain ongoing, and we do not wish to prejudice those proceedings with detailed public commentary at this stage,” he said.
“What we will say is that the ATA’s role as a representative body exists precisely for moments like this, and we intend to fulfil that role.”
“The ATA is acutely aware of the significant concern this matter has generated among our members, and we want to be clear that we take it very seriously.”
“The ATA has been in constant contact with Racing Victoria regarding the Formestane cases. We have consistently made clear that our members’ interests must be properly considered, and that any process affecting their livelihoods and reputations must be fair, transparent and based on sound evidence.”
