Stewards’ Report – Mal Charlton
Date – 12/03/19
Panel – D Farquharson, N Torpey, S Shinn
Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Stewards today conducted an inquiry into a report received from the Queensland Government Racing Science Centre (RSC) that Arsenic above the prescribed allowable threshold had been detected in a post race urine sample taken from Alpha Styx (NZ) following its winning performance at Redcliffe on 16 October 2018.
The reserve portion of this sample sent to Racing Analytical Services Limited (Victoria) for referee analysis confirmed the presence of Arsenic above the threshold.
Evidence was taken today from trainer Mal Charlton, who submitted documentation to support the assertion that Arsenic was ingested through contamination in stable sheeting containing Copper, chromium and Arsenic (CCA).
Photographic evidence was also tendered and file notes associated with a stable inspection conducted on the premises.
Mal Charlton was charged and pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 190(1) which states:
A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.
The particulars of the charge being that Mal Charlton, as trainer, did present Alpha Styx (NZ) for racing at Redcliffe on 16 October 2018 when not free of prohibited substances, namely Arsenic.
In respect to the charge, Stewards recorded a conviction, however, did not impose a penalty on Mr Charlton as they were satisfied that the detection of Arsenic had resulted from environmental contamination.
Stewards were mindful of the following:
- Mr Charlton’s second Prohibited Substance offence;
- Mr Charlton’s guilty plea;
- Analytical reports;
- Environmental contamination;
- Mr Charlton’s licence history and other personal subjective facts.
Acting under the provisions of Rule 195, Alpha Styx (NZ) was disqualified from its winning performance at Redcliffe on 16 October 2018, and all other placegetters were amended accordingly.
Mr Charlton was advised of his right to an Internal Review.
Mr Charlton was further advised that he must take all reasonable measures in future to manage his training establishment and horses to ensure that his horses were presented in accordance with the Rules.
