Stewards’ Report – Harness Trainer – S Rains
Date – 8 March 2017
Panel – N. Torpey; P. Zimmermann & S. Fletcher
Queensland Racing Integrity Commission Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the analysts finding of Sotalol in the urine sample taken from Illawong Lively after competing in Race 9 at Albion Park on 6 January 2017. Illawong Lively was trained for the race by Scott Rains.
Sotalol is a non-selective β-adrenergic blocking agent. There are no veterinary preparations containing Sotalol currently registered for use in Australia.
Mr Rains advised Stewards that in an endeavour to identify how this prohibited substance was found in this sample he discussed the issue with the owner of the Deception Bay property where Illawong Lively is stabled and found that during this period the owner had a relative staying with her that was on the medication Sotalol. Further evidence was provided that in the yard in which the horse is stabled is an overflow from the house’s septic system.
Stewards whilst mindful of the strict liability placed on Scott Rains to present his horses free of prohibited substances were of the view that the evidence supports the finding that he acted under a reasonable mistake that he presented the horse to race drug-free
After taking evidence from Mr Rains, Dr K. Caldwell, Manager, Veterinary Services at the Racing Science Centre Stewards took no direct action against Scott Rains.
However, Stewards acting under the provisions of AHRR. 195 disqualified Illawong Lively from Race 9 at Albion Park on 6 January 2017and amended the placings accordingly.
