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Racing NSW Stewards have conducted an inquiry into the analysts finding of flunixin in a post-race blood sample taken from Tickets for Youth following the gelding winning Race 3 (Maiden Handicap, 1700m) at Grafton Racecourse on Sunday, 14 July 2019.

Evidence was taken from licensed trainer David Campbell, who also represented the interests of the owners, and Racing NSW Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Toby Koenig.

Mr Campbell pleaded guilty of a charge under AR245(1)(a) of having administered flunixin to Tickets for Youth which was detected in a blood sample taken from the gelding following its running, and being placed first, in the Maiden Handicap, 1700m at Grafton Racecourse on Sunday, 14 July 2019.

In assessing penalty, Stewards believe it was aggravated by the fact that Mr Campbell administered the prohibited substance to Tickets for Youth and it is his second offence under prohibited substance rules, albeit in approximately 30 years of training.

Stewards believe the penalty was mitigated by Mr Campbell’s forthright evidence, honesty and guilty plea.

Stewards believe the appropriate penalty for the offence to be a fine of $8000. Appreciating the mitigating factors described, a penalty of $5,500 was issued.

Acting under the provisions of AR204(1), Tickets for Youth was disqualified from its first placing in Race 3 (Maiden Handicap, 1700m) at Grafton Racecourse on 14 July 2019 and the placings amended as follows:

1st - Celebration Day
2nd - Allbutblack
3rd - Waterside (NZ)
4th - Patriot Missile

Further, Mr Campbell pleaded guilty to a charge under AR104(1) in that he did fail to record the administration of flunixin to Tickets for Youth by midnight on the day of administration. Mr Campbell was fined $400.

Relevant Rules
AR245(1)(a) – A person must not administer a prohibited substance on Prohibited List A and / or Prohibited List B to a horse which is detected in a sample taken from the horse prior to or following the running or a race.
AR240(1) – Subject to subrule (3), if a horse is brought to a racecourse and a prohibited substance on Prohibited List A and / or Prohibited List B is detected in a sample taken from the horse prior to or following its running in any race, the horse must be disqualified from any race in which it started on that day.
AR104(1) – A trainer must record any medication or treatment administered to any horse in the trainer’s care by midnight on the day on which the administration was given.

- M. A. Holloway (Chief Steward NRRA)