News & Media

19 June 2012 Thoroghbred Media Release

RWWA Stewards today concluded an inquiry into a report received from the ChemCentre (Perth) in regard to the presence of banned substances in the urine sample submitted by Apprentice Melissa Milner at the Leonora Racing Club on Monday, 4 June 2012.

Evidence was taken from Apprentice M. Milner who was accompanied by her mother, licensed Thoroughbred and Harness Trainer Mrs W. Boyd.

Apprentice Milner pleaded guilty to a charge under AR.81A(1)(a) for providing a urine sample at the Leonora Racing Club meeting held on Monday, 4 June 2012 after riding at the Leonora Racing Club meeting on Saturday, 2 June 2012 which was found upon analysis to contain the banned substances Amphetamine and Methylamphetamine.

Further, Ms Milner pleaded guilty to a charge under AR.175(a) for an improper action in that after being requested to provide a sample of her urine when riding at the Leonora Racing Club meeting on Saturday, 2 June 2012, she solicited another apprentice rider to provide her with a sample of her urine with the intention of substituting it for her own.

In regard to the offence under AR.81A(1)(a) Ms Milner had her permit to ride suspended in full for a period of nine (9) months, effective from the date she was initially stood down from riding, being Sunday, 3 June 2012.

Stewards directed that this penalty may be varied at their discretion following the satisfactory completion of drug and alcohol counselling, the provision of a clear urine sample and progress reports.

For the offence under AR.175(a) Ms Milner was disqualified for a period of seven (7) months effective immediately.

In considering these penalties, Stewards took into account the following factors:

• Seriousness of the offences
• Guilty plea, honest and forthright manner and level of remorse expressed at today’s inquiry
• Her willingness to receive counselling

BRAD LEWIS Chief Steward Thoroughbreds

For more information contact:
Racing and Wagering Western Australia
Stewards Department
70 Grandstand Road, Ascot WA 6104
Ph: (08) 9277 0777