Stewards Inquiry – Trainer Anthony Yujnovich – MR OLYMPIA
3 December, 2015
Thoroughbred
RWWA Stewards yesterday inquired into a report from the ChemCentre in Perth that the pre-race blood sample taken from MR OLYMPIA prior to it competing and finishing last in Race 1 at York on Friday 20 November 2015, was found to have a level of carbon dioxide (TCO2) in excess of 36.0 millimoles per litre in plasma.
This finding had been verified by Racing Analytical Services Limited Laboratory (RASL) in Victoria.
Evidence was taken from the Trainer of MR OLYMPIA, Mr Anthony Yujnovich, RWWA Senior Steward Mr Paul Criddle who investigated the matter, RWWA Industry Veterinarian Dr Judith Medd and ChemCentre Analyst Mr James White.
After considering all the evidence, Stewards issued three charges against Mr Yujnovich;
- Under AR178 – that he as the trainer, of MR OLYMPIA brought that gelding to York Racecourse on Friday 20 November 2015, for the purposes of engaging in Race 1, with the prohibited substance TCO2 in excess of 36.0 millimoles per litre in plasma being detected in a pre-race blood sample taken from it.
- Under AR178AA(1)(b) – that he as the trainer administered the alkalinising agent Neutraliser to MR OLYMPIA on Thursday 19 November 2015 at approximately 6pm which is within one clear day prior to it racing in Race 1 at York on 20 November 2015.
- Under AR178F(2)(b)vii) – that he as the trainer failed to record any of the administrations of the alkalinising agent Bi-Carbonate and Neutraliser to the gelding MR OLYMPIA which was under his care.
Trainer Mr Anthony Yujnovich pleaded guilty to all three charges and after hearing submissions with respect to penalty the inquiry was adjourned in order for the Stewards to consider all of the evidence and determine the matter of penalty for each charge.
Stewards today completed their deliberations and determined the matters of penalty as follows;
Charge 1 – Under AR178 – A disqualification of six (6) months
Charge 2 – Under AR178AA(1)(b) – A fine of $2000
Charge 3 – Under AR178F(2)(b)(vii) – A fine of $200
When considering penalty in relation to the charges the Stewards took into account as appropriate:
- Mr Yujnovich’s very good record over a considerable number of years
- The professional manner in which Mr Yujnovich conducted himself during the investigation and inquiry into this matter
- The acknowledgement of all three offences
- The question of the totality of penalties
- The nature of the prohibited substance, being classed as potentially performance enhancing
- The levels in this case reported by the ChemCentre as being in excess of 39.0 millimoles per litre
- Previous cases and penalties issued for the respective rules in question
- That the administration of the alkalinising agent mentioned in Charge 2 did not explain the high TCO2 level recorded by MR OLYMPIA prior to racing
- The need for deterrence both general and specific
Acting under the provision of ARR.177 MR OLYMPIA has been disqualified from this race.
Media Contact:
Mark Kemp – Integrity Operations Co-ordinator
Ph: 9445 5227
mark.kemp@rwwa.com.au