Thoroughbred Stewards Inquiries – Flunixin
As previously advised on 1 March 2019, Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA) Stewards requested that several samples reported by the ChemCentre in Perth, to contain a level of flunixin over the prescribed screening limit, be subject to re-analysis.
This was following ChemCentre’s notice to RWWA that a review of the confirmation data of those recent samples had highlighted a possible issue with the integrity of the reference standard.
Comprehensive re-analysis, including full quantification of the samples in question, was undertaken using refreshed certified reference standards including a deuterated internal standard.
As a result of this re-analysis the ChemCentre has notified RWWA that the level of flunixin in the following samples was found to be below the International Federation of Horseracing Authority’s International Screening Limit of 1 ng/ml for flunixin in plasma:
- Trainer T Brennan (COOL WITNESS) – Race 3 Albany – 11 Jan 2019
- Trainer S Rowe (PICASSO BAY) – Race 5 Pinjarra – 2 Jan 2019
- Trainer J Warwick (FIND THE GAP) – Race 1 Bunbury – 23 Dec 2018
Accordingly they have formally withdrawn the positive reports for these samples.
As a result of this notice from the ChemCentre the trainers involved have been notified that Stewards will not be proceeding further with any matters.
It is understood by RWWA that a full review of this matter has been undertaken internally by the ChemCentre with revisions to protocols made as required. RWWA will also be raising this matter with the appropriate national bodies, so that a review of screening and confirmatory processes between racing laboratories can be undertaken to put in place any steps to safeguard against such circumstances arising again in future.
A Stewards inquiry will be conducted in due course regarding the report received in relation to the detection of flunixin in the sample taken from MODERN NEWS (Race 3 Pinjarra -20 Dec 2018) trained by Ms J Clements.