Chief Stipe

It wouldn't unless you administered less than 5 days before swabbing or took hair samples. I would imagine the shady vet was not only rebottling but diluting as well. Don't forget Navarro has already admitted to using relabelled Clenbuterol.

Hope you all got plenty. No doubt we are in for another round of Dunn stable bagging and the Peter Proft NZ Harness Journalist is filing their story right now. Often it doesn't take a master trainer much to turn around a horse.

Surprised me how well he sprinted. I've followed him all his career but he accelerated quicker than I thought. Not a particularly a fast time for the Thorndon though. Just a useful handicapper in OZ?!

Still no times for some races and no explanation.

What I really really find annoying is the BS conspiracy shyte that spouts forth from a few that fuels the rumours. Aided and abetted by incompetent Racing Judiciaries. Why has it taken so long for the RIB to say something about the Wigg and Jones cases? It just makes things worse. It is clearly evident that one or two individuals from the Trainer or Owner ranks are feeding the rumours. You can't tell me that their motivation is honest. They've been targeting the Dunn stable for months using anything they can. Note: it isn't you @the galah

So you seem to be suggesting that the trainers who gave evidence they sought out the vet, because of his reputation for supplying the best performance enhancers that wouldn't be picked up by testing, were duped.And so many top trainers amongst them and all so gullible. And it went on for years. Yes they were duped or they turned a blind eye. They would have not had the resources to get the substances they were being given tested. Nor would they be inclined to for obvious reasons. As long as they saw improvement in their horses why would they query what they were being given? Yes. There was no way to prove correlation or causation between the drug horse and subsequent outcomes. They are dishonest. They broke the rules of racing by administering intravenously non FDA (approved but mislabelled) or Racing approved substances for competition. They are also fools but it is convenient to plead ignorance and sing for the prosecution. What they were using were probably performance enhancers. What's more they are likely to have been known and prohibited performance enhancers e.g. mislabelled Clenbuterol. Now there is a whole area of debate between what is a performance enhancer and what is a therapeutic. The irony with Clenbuterol is that it is a decongestant and bronchodilator I.e. it helps horses breathe easier. One of the weaknesses of the modern equine athlete. Clenbuterol is used to treat human asthmatics. However it can also be abused by regular use and has a side effect that is analogous to a steroid in that it will stimulate increased muscle mass while reducing weight. I'm not ignoring any evidence. I just don't believe that Fishman has developed a new and wonderful drug by himself. All he has done is mislabel and repurposed an existing drug and educated the users on how to avoid detection. Such is the history of ALL the cases of drug abuse in horse racing. "Elephant Juice" - etorphine - a narcotic derived tranquiliser. "Blue Magic" - propantheline bromide. Developed to treat bowel and stomach issues in humans. "Milkshake" - sodium bicarbonate. Used in you Grandma's scones. Neutralises the effects of lactic acid build up from exercise. As for Cobalt well the jury is well out on that one.

I get the joke but seriously why haven't any times been posted for most of the races today?

She has huge upside. When she strengthens up and gets more coordinated she'll be even better.

But should Riddell have gone forward or dropped back? Wasn't that Elliot's choice? Wouldn't have got close to the winner regardless.

Wow been a while since I've seen a filly let down like that!!!! Big stride and flattens out beautifully. Changed legs a few times and did it easy!

Yep posted 3 wide.....

Allegedly.

Yeah well your views don't help that do they.

The Feds confiscated these alleged PED's from Fishman (picture below). There is no way they don't know what is contained in the bottles. My guess it is mainly Clenbuterol. Fishman is staying silent. The obvious reason being that there would be some very unhappy people about when they realise Fishman was pushing well known drugs as his "special snakeoil"! Note he is charged with two counts of conspiring to violate adulteration and misbranding laws. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Was the RIB "Investigator" a qualified Vet? Did they visit the property with a qualified vet? Did a RIB contracted Vet examine the horse on the property? It will be interesting to read what treatments Harris allegedly hasn't administered.

The CJC is just plain lazy and or broke. They either don't have enough volunteers to monitor pods of 100 or can't pay for staff. I can't think of any other reasons. Tim Mills - don't bother going to the races contrary to what you think YOU AREN'T essential staff. A race meeting can be run WITHOUT your committee and Presidents bar. Just hand the keys to the RIB and NZTR.

The RIB hasn't changed still a pseudo Police outfit with all the worst bits.

Trainer charged after Covid-19 vaccine pass investigation Glenn McLean05:00, Jan 29 2022 GRANT MATTHEW/FAIRFAX NZ/STUFF Trudy Keegan has been charged with breaching racing rules. Taranaki horse trainer Trudy Keegan has been charged with a breach of racing rules after an investigation into the alleged use of a fake Covid-19 vaccine pass. Racing Integrity Board chief executive Mike Clement confirmed an investigation into the presentation of a fraudulent vaccine pass took place after a race meeting at Ōtaki on January 13. “As a result of which a person has been charged with a breach of racing rules,” he said in a statement. “This matter is to be heard on a date yet to be determined.”

Probably hang her out to dry. Did they scratch her horses and not allow her entry to the racecourse on the day that she allegedly presented a fake passport? If not then her defence should be: NZTR have no right to demand her vaccination status outside of their jurisdiction i.e. a particular event; If her passport was fake and did not scan correctly then NZTR failed in their obligations by allowing her to enter the racecourse. I hope she takes them to court and every fair minded person supports her in doing so to put a stop to this nonsense. The irony of it all is according to some reputable science she is less likely to be infectious than those who are vaccinated.

North Canterbury horse trainer Paul Harris charged by Racing Integrity Board over animal welfare concerns 28 Jan, 2022 10:30 AM2 minutes to read Paul Harris says he will fight the charges. Photo / Supplied By Kurt Bayer Reporter A leading New Zealand horse trainer has denied allegations of animal cruelty after the death of one of his racehorses. Canterbury trainer Paul Harris was investigated by the Racing Integrity Board (RIB) after one of his horses died. The Herald understands that the animal had been sick and it's alleged that it had not been properly cared for. An investigator from the RIB visited Harris' stables and property on South Eyre Rd in North Canterbury before Christmas. Mike Clement, chief executive of the RIB, confirmed to the Herald this week that charges have now been laid. "The RIB has investigated an animal welfare matter in the Canterbury region," said Clement, former deputy commissioner of New Zealand Police. "As a result of which, two people have been charged under the racing rules and the matter is awaiting a hearing." Paul Harris Racing is based at South Eyre Rd in North Canterbury. Photo / George Heard A hearing is expected to be held later this year. When approached by the Herald, Harris said he "vehemently" denies the allegations and will be fighting the charge. "They have charged me in relation to allegations over whether I did enough with a sick horse," he said "I vehemently deny this and basically because the matter is with the JCA [Judicial Control Authority] I can't say anything more than that." The Racing Integrity Board, which took over the functions of the Racing Integrity Unit and the Judicial Control Authority for Racing last year, says they encourage anyone to come forward with any concerns over animal welfare. "We would encourage anyone with information about animal welfare concerns to bring them forward to us," Clement said.

Averly Jane DQ'd for Diabetes Drug, Ward Suspended The filly tested positive for Metformin, used to treat diabetes in humans. By Byron King Today, 1:20 PM Kentucky stewards suspended trainer Wesley Ward for 15 days and disqualified multiple stakes winner Averly Jane from her victory in the $150,000 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes April 28 at Churchill Downs after she tested positive for metformin. Metformin is a medication used to control blood sugar and treat diabetes in humans. It was the fourth-most prescribed drug in the United States in 2019. A second-tier drug violation assigned in Class B by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, metformin is less frequently given to equines. It has been used to counteract the effects of equine metabolic syndrome. The ruling, issued by Kentucky stewards Jan. 25 after a hearing Ward said occurred last week, initially called for a 30-day suspension and $500 fine, but 15 days are stayed on the condition that the trainer has no Class A or Class B medication violations in any racing jurisdiction within 365 days. The ruling cited "mitigating circumstances (number of violations in relation to overall record)" in the stewards' decision. According to Ward, who runs a large stable with starts all over North America and Europe, his last medication violation was a methocarbamol violation in 2016. "We don't have medication at the barn at all, so we don't have mess-ups like this—none," said the Kentucky-based trainer. "Everything is administered by the veterinarian, and my veterinarian doesn't even have it on her truck, didn't even know what it was." Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt Wesley Ward Ward said he could think of no explanation for the drug positive other than environmental contamination, mentioning as an example that some backstretch workers will urinate in horse stalls. After making inquiries, he found that none of his staff takes metformin. Ward said his attorney, Darrell Vienna, asked Dr. Richard Sams, professor emeritus at the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Ohio State University, to testify at his hearing and Sams told stewards that drug had no performance-enhancing effect on a horse. Ward indicated the drug was found at a trace level. His suspension began Jan. 26 and continues through Feb.9. Averly Jane, a Midshipman filly owned by Hat Creek Racing, was one of the top short-distance 2-year-old fillies of 2021. She crossed the wire first in four of five starts, ending her season with a fifth-place finish in the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T) at Del Mar as the favorite. She took the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes by 3 1/4 lengths over Vodka N Water , who now moves into first and receives the $91,140 winner's share of the purse. As of noon ET Jan. 28, Equibase charts had not been updated to show Averly Jane as disqualified from the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes. Hat Creek Racing is a partnership headed by bloodstock agent Gatewood Bell, the vice president of racing at Keeneland. He was previously a KHRC commissioner. Bell did not respond to a phone message seeking comment on the disqualification. "I just feel terrible for the owners, number one, and my great buddy, Gatewood Bell," Ward said. A multiple Breeders' Cup-winning trainer known for his achievements with 2-year-olds and sprinters, Ward has become one of the most successful American trainers on the international stage, winning numerous stakes at Royal Ascot during that prestigious British meeting. Removing Averly Jane's Kentucky Juvenile Stakes victory from his Equibase statistics, he has won 2,083 races from 9,872 starts in North America, and his horses have made more than $77 million though Jan. 27.

Weirdly one of the charges that Navarro pleaded guilty to was importing mislabelled clenbuterol. That drug can be prescribed by vets to treat bronchial problems in horses. It can't be used in competition BUT it IS detectable.

Oh by the way you do realise how expensive and complicated it is to synthesise a completely new chemical? Then develop a process that is cost effective and repeatable to manufacture it. I might add without anyone knowing.

That's not possible with today's analytical techniques especially when something that shouldn't be there would show up as an anomaly. Again that isn’t possible. Even if it was a chemical or its analog that had never been identified before. I worked on a project to determine the chemical fingerprint of manuka honey. In less than a week of testing the lab had identified a previously unknown molecule. It's chemical make-up was then determined and it was given a unique name derived from the Latin name for Manuka. They called it leptosperin. Now what you are suggesting is that not one blood test returned an abnormality nor that Feds could find a used container anywhere in all their searches. Fishman may be no more than a snake oil salesperson where part of his BS is to say his drugs are undetectable. As I said the guilty plea bargain by Navarro was for essentially being involved in fraud and the relabelling of drugs. That's bollocks. If you change the formula how do you know that you haven't eliminated the efficacy of the key active that supposedly elicits improved performance? Even if the formula was changed the active or its metabolite would still show as an anomaly. Yes it mightn't be identifiable but it would still be an anomaly just like the leptosperin in manuka honey.

No what it does indicate is that either the Feds are inept or these so called PED's are fictitious. From what I've read the cases are all based on witnesses saying they bought something and/or the mis/re-labelling of known substances. Indeed the convictions are not based on proof that drugs were administered but that fraud was committed. As I've said many times before modern testing techniques can identify any chemical or at least anomalies. Don't you think it is strange that with all this testimony that there hasn't been evidential testing of any of the supposed PED's that were sold? Surely there was a mislabelled container around somewhere.