Thoroughbred Stewards Inquiry – Trainer Mr Ashley Maley (JAG THE JOKER)
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Stewards have concluded the inquiry into the report received from the ChemCentre in Perth that dexamethasone had been detected in the post-race urine sample, taken from JAG THE JOKER at Belmont Park on Wednesday, 11 August 2021.
After hearing evidence from trainer Mr. Ashley Maley, ChemCentre representative Dr N Beckett, Head of RWWA Regulatory Services Dr J Medd, RWWA Senior Investigator Mr P Criddle and RWWA Betting Supervisor Mr W Wishart, Mr Maley pleaded guilty to the following charges:
Charge 1 AR 240(2) Particulars of the charge being that you Mr Ashley Maley the trainer of JAG THE JOKER, presented and raced that mare in Race 9 at Belmont Park Racecourse on Wednesday 11 August 2021 with the prohibited substance dexamethasone, upon analysis being detected in a post-race urine sample taken from JAG THE JOKER”.
Charge 2 AR 104(1) Particulars of the charge being that Mr Ashley Maley, failed to record in his treatment book the nebulising with dexamethasone of JAG THE JOKER on or about 8 August 2021.
After adjourning to consider penalty, the Stewards determined to impose a fine of $5000 for Charge 1 and a fine of $500 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 in order to maintain a level playing field.
- Mr Maley’s guilty pleas and blemish free record in relation to prohibited substances.
- The prohibited substance dexamethasone is classed as an anti-inflammatory/therapeutic substance.
- The circumstances of this matter in that Mr Maley acknowledged he had treated JAG THE JOKER with dexamethasone on or about Sunday 8 August 2021, following the mare receiving chiropractic treatment to its hocks, but had not recorded such treatment in his Treatment Book.
- Precedence in relation to the detection of these type of substances.
Further, acting under AR 240(1) the Stewards determined to disqualify JAG THE JOKER from the race in question with the placings to be amended accordingly with the commensurate implications to all stake money and payments to apply.