Thoroughbred stewards’ inquiry – trainer Ashley Maley (Swim Through)
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) stewards have concluded the inquiry into the report received from the ChemCentre in Perth that salicylic acid had been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from Swim Through at Ascot on Wednesday, 12 October 2022.
After hearing evidence from trainer Mr Maley, ChemCentre representative Ms Cook, Head of RWWA Regulatory Services Dr Medd and RWWA Investigator Ms Bennett, Mr Maley pleaded guilty to the following charges:
Charge 1 AR 240(2) – Particulars of the charge being “that Mr Ashley Maley, as the trainer, brought Swim Through to Ascot Racecourse on 12 October 2022 to compete in Race 1, which it did and won the event, with salicylic acid a prohibited substance on Prohibited List B, being detected in a post-race urine sample taken from the gelding.”
Charge 2 AR 104(1) – Particulars of the charge being “that Mr Ashley Maley, as the trainer, failed to record in the treatment book, the treatment of aspirin to Swim Through.”
After adjourning to consider penalty, the stewards determined to impose a fine of $7,000 for Charge 1 and a fine of $750 for Charge 2.
In considering penalty, stewards took into account the following factors:
- The seriousness of the charges.
- The importance of animals being presented for races free of prohibited substances to maintain a level playing field.
- Mr Maley’s guilty pleas and forthright manner in dealing with this inquiry.
- Mr Maley’s record – this being his second offence regarding breaches of prohibited substances and treatment record rules in a relatively short time frame.
- The circumstances of this matter in which Mr Maley had been acting under veterinary advice, however inadequate stable procedures may have resulted in this occurrence.
- The prohibited substance salicylic acid (aspirin) being classed as an anti-inflammatory/therapeutic substance.
- Mr Maley’s personal circumstances.
Further, acting under AR 240(1) the stewards determined to disqualify Swim Through from the race in question, with placings to be amended accordingly and commensurate implications to all stake money and payments to apply.