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Racing NSW Stewards inquired into the analyst’s finding relative to a urine sample obtained from Bilby prior to that gelding’s fourth placing in the Club Bega Benchmark 55 Handicap 900m at Sapphire Coast on Sunday, 6 May 2018.

Evidence was taken from licenced trainer Reg Manning and evidence was obtained via teleconference from both, Dr Adam Cawley - Science Manager of the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory, and Dr Toby Koenig – Senior Official Veterinarian Racing NSW.

Mr Manning pleaded guilty to a breach of AR178 of presenting Bilby at Sapphire Coast on 6 May 2018 for the purpose of engaging in the Club Bega Benchmark 55 Handicap 900m when a prohibited substance, namely 4-hydroxy xylazine, was detected in the urine sample taken from the gelding prior to the event.

Mr Manning was fined the sum of $4000. In assessing penalty consideration was given to Mr Manning’s exemplary disciplinary record both as a trainer and an amateur rider over a 40-year period.

Stewards acting under the powers of AR177, disqualified Bilby from its fourth placing and amended the placings to:-

1st - Underpass
2nd - Mandee
3rd - Ticked Off
4th - Sergeant Sam
5th - Serious Moonlight
6th - Claradale Lass
7th - Dead Reckoning
8th - Denman Flyer
9th - Certain Riches

Mr Manning was advised of his rights of appeal against the penalty imposed under AR178 and, being the managing part-owner of Bilby, also in respect to the Stewards ruling to disqualify Bilby from its fourth placing under the provisions of AR177.

Relevant Rules
AR 178. Subject to AR 178C, 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.

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.