Latest News

Racing NSW Stewards today inquired into an analyst’s finding of methylamphetamine, amphetamine and 4-hydroxymethylamphetamine in a urine sample obtained from Oakeys Choice following the gelding’s first placing in Race 6 (Dale & Hitchcock C, G & E Benchmark 58 Handicap, 1000m) at Queanbeyan on Friday, 24 January 2025.

Evidence was taken from licenced trainer Mr Luke Musson and licensed stablehand and managing part-owner of Oakeys Choice, Mrs Jocelyn Musson, who were both represented during the inquiry by their lawyer Mr Wayne Pasterfield.

Charge

Mr Musson pleaded guilty to a breach of AR240(2) of presenting Oakeys Choice at Queanbeyan Racecourse on Friday, 24 January 2025 for the purpose of engaging in Race 6 (Dale & Hitchcock C, G & E Benchmark 58 Handicap, 1000m) when prohibited substances, namely methylamphetamine, amphetamine and 4-hydroxymethylamphetamine, were detected in the urine sample taken from the gelding following the event.

Penalty

Mr Musson was fined the sum of $5000.

In assessing penalty Stewards considered the following:

1) Guilty plea and co-operation during the inquiry.
2) Mr Musson’s first breach of the Rule in 8 years of training.
3) Personal and professional circumstances.
4) The low level of detection of each of the three substances and that contamination was the likely source of the analyst’s findings.
5) The principles of specific and general deterrence.
6) The purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image, interests and welfare of the Thoroughbred Racing Industry.

Mr Musson was advised of his right of appeal.

Stewards acting under the powers of AR240(1), disqualified Oakeys Choice from its first placing in the aforementioned event and amended the placings to:

1st - Getty
2nd - Hey Dugee
3rd - Better Sun
4th - Agent Moon
5th - Amont
6th - Super Riff
7th - Dylan’s Lad
8th - Big Steve
9th - Beau Rock

Managing part-owner Mrs J Musson was advised of her right to appeal the decision to disqualify the gelding under the provisions of AR240(1).

- J.D. Walshe (Chairman-Racing NSW South East Region & Canberra Racing Club)

Relevant Rules

AR 240 Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at race meeting

(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.

(2) Subject to subrule (3), if a horse is brought to a racecourse for the purpose of participating in a race 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 trainer and any other person who was in charge of the horse at any relevant time breaches these Australian Rules.