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Racing NSW Stewards today inquired into the detection by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) and Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) of the prohibited substances 2-(1-hydroxyethyl) promazine sulphoxide and 4-hydroxy xylazine in a post-race urine sample taken from the Russell Green-trained Keepclamandcarryon, following the mare competing in and winning the Benchmark 55 Handicap 1200m conducted at Cowra Racecourse on Saturday, 23 June 2018.

Evidence today was taken from trainer of Keepcalmandcarryon, Mr Russell Green, Racing NSW Senior Official Veterinarian Dr Toby Koenig and ARFL Science Manager Dr Adam Cawley. Dr Koenig and Dr Cawley provided written evidence and also tendered evidence by tele-conference.

The evidence established that Mr Green did administer Xylazil/Thiazine on the morning of Wednesday, 20 June 2018 to facilitate the shoeing of the mare.

Charges against Mr R. Green

Charge 1- Mr Green pleaded guilty to a charge under AR175(h)(ii). The details of the charge being as the trainer of Keepcalmandcarryon, he did administer Xylazil/Thiazine to the mare which resulted in the prohibited substance 4-hydroxy xylazine being detected in a post-race urine sample taken from the horse after it competed in and won the Benchmark 55 Handicap 1200m conducted at Cowra racecourse on Saturday 23 June 2018.

Charge 2- Mr Green pleaded guilty to a further charge under AR178. The details of the charge being that as the trainer of Keepcalmandcarryon, he brought the horse to Cowra racecourse on Saturday 23 June 2018 for the purpose of engaging in Race 3 Benchmark 55 Handicap 1200m and the prohibited substances 2-(1-hydroxyethyl) promazine sulphoxide and 4-hydroxy xylazine were detected in a post-race urine sample taken from Keepcalmandcarryon following the mare competing in and winning that race.

Penalty
In assessing penalty Stewards considered the following matters

1. Nature of and high level of the substance
2. Mr Green’s record in respect to similar offences
3. Personal circumstances
4. Guilty plea

Charge 1- Suspension of Trainers license for a period of six (6) months

Charge 2- Suspension of Trainers license for a period of four (4) months

Stewards ruled that both penalties be served concurrently and as such, Mr Green would be eligible to resume training on 20 March 2019.

Mr Green was advised of his right of appeal.

Keepcalmandcarryon

Acting under the provisions of AR177 Keepcalmandcarryon was disqualified from its first placing in Benchmark 55 Handicap conducted at Cowra racecourse on Saturday 23 June 2018 and the placings were amended to

1^st. Bitofastar
2^nd. Sheoak
3^rd. Hu Hit Hu
4^th. Black Platinum

Relevant Rules
AR 175. The Principal Racing Authority (or the Stewards exercising powers delegated to them) may penalise;

(h) Any person who administers, or causes to be administered, to a horse any prohibited substance –

(ii) which is detected in any sample taken from such horse prior to or following the running of any race.

AR 177. Subject to AR 177C, any horse that has been brought to a racecourse and a prohibited substance is detected in any sample taken from it prior to or following its running in any race must be disqualified from any race in which it started on that day.

AR 178. Subject to AR 178G, when any horse that has been brought to a racecourse for the purpose of engaging in a race and a prohibited substance is detected in any sample taken from it prior to or following its running in any race, the trainer and any other person who was in charge of such horse at any relevant time may be penalised.