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Racing NSW Stewards have conducted an inquiry into the analyst's finding of Altrenogest in a urine sample collected from the racehorse Cascata Rossa after it won Race 3 (Maiden Handicap, 1400m) at Ballina Racecourse on Friday, 10 March 2017.

Evidence was taken from licensed trainer, Matthew Dunn, who also represented the interests of the owners of Cascata Rossa, Racing NSW official veterinarian, Dr Craig Suann, and ARFL science manager, Dr Adam Cawley.

Mr Dunn pleaded guilty to a charge under AR178 in that he did bring Cascata Rossa to Ballina Racecourse on Friday, 10 March 2017 for the purpose of engaging in the Maiden Handicap (1400m) and the prohibited substance Altrenogest was detected in a urine sample collected from the gelding after it won the said event.

Stewards were of the opinion the appropriate penalty for the offence be a fine of $7000.

However, Stewards acknowledged that Mr Dunn pleaded guilty to the offence, has no prior conviction under prohibited substance rules and co-operated fully with stewards throughout the entire proceedings.

Further, stewards were satisfied the presence of Altrenogest in the sample provided by Cascata Rossa was due to inadvertent administration and acknowledged that Mr Dunn has since rectified the manner in which he treats female horses within his stable with Altrenogest in an effort to avoid a similar offence in the future.

Appreciating these mitigating factors the stewards reduced the penalty to $5000.

Acting under the provisions of AR177, Cascata Rossa was disqualified from its first placing in Race 3 (Maiden Handicap, 1400m) at Ballina Racecourse on 10 March 2017 and the placings amended as follows:-

1st Call the Captain 2nd Luv Our Stratum 3rd How Jammy’s That 4th Soar With Eagles

Mr Dunn was advised of his rights of appeal.