3 minute read

Stewards conducted an inquiry into the analysts finding of the prohibited substance Isoxsuprine in the urine sample taken from Al Fever subsequent to that gelding winning the Maiden Handicap at the Louth Turf Club race meeting of August 9.

Evidence was taken from Noel Boland, trainer and from Margaret Boland, part-lessee of Al Fever.

Mr Boland represented the interests of owner and co-lessee, Mr Keith Goss. Evidence was also taken (by telephone) form Dr Andrew Holmes of the East Maitland Veterinary Clinic, which provides veterinary services to the Noel Boland stable.

Evidence was taken from RNSW Senior Official Veterinarian, Dr Craig Suann. Dr Suann provided advice to the inquiry that Isoxsuprine is a beta-adrenergic agonist acting as a peripheral vasodilator prescribed for the treatment of conditions such as navicular disease, laminitis, pedal osteitis and sesamoiditis.

Mr Noel Boland pleaded guilty to a charge under AR178 of having brought a horse to the racecourse for the purposes of engaging in a race and that a sample taken from such horse had detected in it a prohibited substance.

The Stewards found that the probable cause of the analysts finding was the application to Al Fever by Mr Noel Boland in the week of the Louth race meeting of Isoxsuprine in the form of a Circulon Paste prescribed by Dr Holmes for a condition of navicular disease.

After taking into account all matters pertaining to penalty, including, but not limited to, Mr Boland’s prior clear record (40 years as a trainer), his guilty plea and his cooperation with the inquiry, the Stewards issued a fine of $4000.

Acting under the powers of AR177, stewards disqualified Al Fever from its first placing in the Maiden Handicap at Louth and amended the placings.