Gai galloper returns positive steroid test
June 5, 2007
GAI Waterhouse is at the centre of another drugs controversy. Racing NSW stewards yesterday confirmed an anabolic steroid had been found in the champion trainer's galloper Perfectly Poised following routine race-day urine testing.
The two-year-old was found to have raced with the banned substance boldenone in its system when finishing second behind Siestas as the $2.70 favourite at Canterbury on April 18.
The Herald revealed last Thursday that Perfectly Poised had returned a positive result. Results of Perfectly Poised's confirmatory sample arrived at Racing NSW's city offices yesterday.
Chief steward Ray Murrihy said treatment records for Perfectly Poised had been provided by Waterhouse along with those from Scone trainer Rodney Northam, who pre-trains horses for the filly's owners, Darley Stud. The stud has also supplied stewards with the two-year-old's veterinary details.
Last Thursday Racing NSW steward Steve Carvosso, who is based at Newcastle, was sent to Scone to collect another urine sample from Perfectly Poised, which was at Northam's stables. Murrihy is awaiting the results of this test.
Murrihy was asked if Waterhouse's records and those of Northam and Darley had revealed the use of boldenone and the chief stipe replied: "We can't draw any conclusions at this stage, these matters will be subject to an inquiry.
"We recognise that it is a long-acting anabolic agent. For that reason we've taken the somewhat unusual step to not only get the trainer's records but the pre-trainer's and stud records."
The drug in question enhances muscle mass and stimulates the appetite, although respected veterinarians are loath to use it in thoroughbred racing as it is difficult to tell how long the drug takes to leave a horse's system.
Perfectly Poised was having only its second race start at Canterbury having finished runner-up as the $3 favourite behind Now Now on debut at Gosford on April 3. Murrihy said Perfectly Poised was not tested at Gosford and a date for the inquiry had yet to be set. Boldenone has been found in the body-building world and several other human sports. Earlier this year Russian swimmer Anatoli Poliakov tested positive to boldenone.
Under the Australian rules of racing Perfectly Poised must be disqualified from the Canterbury race while Waterhouse can be fined, suspended or disqualified if found in breach of the rules.
Two years ago the racing world was rocked when the Waterhouse-trained Love You Honey was found to have returned a positive result to cocaine. Miniscule amounts of the substance were found in Love You Honey when beaten as favourite at Gosford on Anzac Day 2005.
Stewards fined Waterhouse $15,000 and the Racing NSW Appeal Panel then dismissed her appeal against the fine.
Waterhouse is due to head to the UK on Sunday with her three-time group 1 winner Bentley Biscuit down to run at the Royal Ascot meeting on June 19.
On Saturday at Eagle Farm, Waterhouse is after her 12th group 1 win for the season with Theseo contesting the Queensland Derby, with stablemate Prince Of Truth ruled out. Theseo is expected to gallop at today's Breakfast with the Stars trackwork session at Eagle Farm.
