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Racing NSW stewards today conducted an inquiry into the analyst's finding of the prohibited substance Clenbuterol in a urine sample collected from the racehorse Sathern prior to it running eighth in the Maiden Handicap 1370m at the Nambucca Jockey Club race meeting at Bowraville Racecourse on Saturday, 26 November 2016.

Evidence was taken from licensed trainer Mr Ian Cook, registered owner Ms Fiona Rodwell and Racing NSW Senior Official Veterinarian, Dr Craig Suann.

Mr Cook pleaded guilty to a breach of AR178 in that he did bring Sathern to Bowraville Racecourse on Saturday, 26 November 2016 for the purpose of engaging in Race 1 Maiden Plate 1370m and the prohibited substance Clenbuterol was detected in a pre-race urine sample collected from Sathern prior to its running, and being placed eighth, in that race.

After taking into consideration a number aggravating and mitigating factors, Mr Cooks licence to train was suspended for a period to commence immediately and expire on Thursday, 1 June 2017, a period of three months.

Such penalty reflecting a 25% discount on what the stewards considered to be the appropriate penalty as Mr Cook pleaded guilty, admitted the breach, co-operated fully with the stewards throughout the entire proceedings and has never offended in such manner previously.

Acting under the provisions of AR177, Sathern was disqualified from its eighth placing in the said event. Further, Mr Cook pleaded guilty to a breach of LR82(1) in that he did fail to register Ms Fiona Rodwell as a stablehand when she was assisting him with the care of racehorses in his stable in the weeks preceding Saturday, 26 November 2016. Mr Cook was fined $400.

Mr Cook was advised of his right of appeal.