Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have today issued a charge against licensed trainer Austy Coffey, following their investigation into the circumstances that led to the Mr Coffey-trained Our Mallee Hoff returning a pre-race blood sample containing Triamcinolone Acetonide (a corticosteroid) on 31 October 2018.
The presence of Triamcinolone Acetonide was detected in the blood sample by Racing Analytical Services Limited and by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory.
Stewards have issued a charge against Mr Coffey under AR178, which reads as follows:
“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.”
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
- On 31 October 2018, Our Mallee Hoff was brought to the Bendigo racecourse and raced in the Bet365 0-78 Handicap over 1100 metres.
- A prohibited substance, being Triamcinolone Acetonide, (a corticosteroid), was detected in a pre-race blood sample taken from Our Mallee Hoff on 31 October 2018.
The charges issued against Mr Coffey will be heard before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on a date to be fixed.