Thoroughbred Stewards Inquiry – Trainer Mr Dan Morton (ELITE STREET)
RWWA Stewards have concluded an inquiry into reports received from the ChemCentre (WA) and Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) (Victoria) confirming the detection of the prohibited substance Heptaminol in the urine sample taken from ELITE STREET following it competing in and winning Race 4 at Belmont Park on 29 July 2020.
At the inquiry conducted on Monday 12 October evidence was taken from ChemCentre Analyst Ms E Cook, RWWA Senior Investigator Mr. G Johnson, RWWA Industry Veterinarian Dr J Medd and trainer Mr D. Morton. Submissions were also heard from the owners Mr. L Morton and Mr. R Anderson.
Mr Morton pleaded guilty to breaching AR240(2) with the particulars of the charge being that as the licensed trainer, he brought and presented ELITE STREET for the purposes of participating in Race 4 at Belmont on 29 July 2020, where it raced and finished first with the prohibited substance Heptaminol, being a Prohibited List B substance, being detected in a post-race urine sample taken from it.
When considering the question of penalty Stewards considered, amongst other things;
- The importance of animals being presented for races free of prohibited substances to maintain a level playing field.
- Mr Morton’s personal circumstances and prior record which contained a previous related offence in 2015 where he was fined $4,000 in relation to the detection of the metabolite of acepromazine in a sample taken for a horse presented for trials.
- His acknowledgement of the offence as evidenced by his plea of guilt.
- The nature of the substance detected, that being of a therapeutic nature.
- That the evidence was not able to provide an explanation for the presence of the substance at the reported level.
- Past penalties issued in relation to this substance.
Taking into account all matters the Stewards determined the appropriate penalty for this offence was a fine of $7,000.
Acting under the provisions of AR240(1) ELITE STREET was disqualified from the race in question and the Stewards directed that the placings be amended accordingly with commensurate implications for stake money.