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Classic Contenders Under Drug Cloud

By Mahendra Mallya | 09 Jan 2011 | MUMBAI


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In a stunning development that has rocked the RWITC-stationed horses, three top-of-the-line Classic horses have failed the customary post-race drug test. The urine samples of the winner and the runner-up of the Indian 2000 Guineas – Ocean And Beyond and Star Future, trained by SK Sunderji and Cooji Katrak respectively, and trainer Pesi Shroff-trained Eloise who placed third in the Indian 1000 Guineas returned positive for a restricted substance Boldenone. The samples were tested and analysed at the Horse Racing Forensic Laboratory situated at New Market, UK. Boldenone is an anabolic steroid and the use of this is banned by the Government of India.

This is indeed a serious offence. The trainer in question is wholly responsible and accountable for any lapses with regard to drugs administered in his stables. As such, trainers Cooji Katrak, SK Sunderji and Pesi Shroff will now have to face an enquiry. The options left to the trainers would be to accept the results of the lab report and face consequences or send the sample ‘B’ taken on the same day, which is sealed and stored in the custody of the Club’s Chief Veterinary officer for reanalysis to a laboratory of their preference from the list of approved labs from the Club’s database. As per the regulations of the Club, the findings of the latest sample (sample ‘B’, if sent) will hold good and placed on record. Should the ‘B’ sample return negative contrary to the first sample, then the first report would be annulled. Which would mean a status quo with regard to the result of the race and no charges would be pressed on any party. Should the second sample (‘B’) also return positive, then the horses concerned would be disqualified and the subsequent horses that followed in the original placing would move up in the relevant order.

The professionals concerned would face suspension for a stipulated period and/or a fine commensurate to circumstantial evidence and other findings. “It is shocking to find as many as three horses testing positive in the two Indian Classics run in December. It is unprecedented and intriguing. The stewards will conduct a thorough enquiry into the matter very soon,” said Mr Vivek Jain, Chairman, RWITC Ltd. Mr KN Dhunjibhoy, part-owner of Eloise was in utter disbelief over the news. “First of all, no trainer in his right mind would administer such a substance, much less, three of them within a week! It is a well-known fact that traces of this substance is retained in the system of the horse for up to 90 days. Eloise has run four times in the last five weeks.

Ocean And Beyond, who is the current fancy to win the Indian Derby will have to seriously reconsider running the RR Ruia next weekend, if the findings of his last dope test are correct. It surely surprises me that three horses returned positive for Boldenone from two Classics from tests performed at the same laboratory. I would await the results of the confirmatory test and going through the detailed analysis report before commenting further,” he concluded.