Racing Services Tasmania stewards today inquired into reports by Racing Analytical
Services Ltd in relation to Lavaca that was trained by Graeme McCulloch.
The reports by RASL confirmed that urine samples taken from Lavaca on 15 August 2011, disclosed upon analysis the presence of Dipyrone.
Stewards after considering the evidence tendered at the inquiry and acting under the
provisions of AR 177 disqualified Lavaca (winner) from the “Betfair Open Handicap” run over 1100m at the Tasmanian Turf Club on 15 August 2011 (Race 6).
Stewards ordered the result of the abovementioned race be amended accordingly and the
redistribution of stake money, subject to any appeal that may be entered in this regard.
Amended placings are as follows:-
1st – PALLONE
2nd – SOPHISTICATION
3rd – NORTH LAD
Trainer Mr Graeme McCulloch pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 178.
The terms of the charge being that he was the trainer of LAVACA when it raced in and won the sixth race at the meeting of the Tasmanian Turf Club on 15 August 2011 and following testing of the urine sample taken from it disclosed, upon analysis, DIPYRONE a prohibited substance.
In arriving at penalty Stewards took into account the following –
Mr McCulloch’s record over a 35 year period
Mr McCulloch’s guilty plea
Honesty throughout the inquiry
General stable practices in relation to the treatment and medication of horses.
Having considered submissions on the matter of penalty Stewards fined Mr McCulloch the sum of $5,000.