Racing Victoria Stewards today issued three charges (two in the alternative) against licensed trainer Mr Craig Widdison following their investigation into the pre-race blood sample taken from Cash Crisis at Sandown Racecourse on 6 February 2019, where the gelding finished sixth in the Highways Lunar New Year Handicap over 1300 metres.
RASL reported that the pre-race blood sample taken from Cash Crisis returned total carbon dioxide (TCO2) at a concentration in excess of 36.0 millimoles per litre in plasma, and therefore a prohibited substance in accordance with the Australian Rule of Racing.
Pursuant to AR 244, the Stewards allege that prior to the race on 6 February 2019, Mr Widdison administered, or caused to be administered, to Cash Crisis a prohibited substance, being alkalinising agents as evidenced by total carbon dioxide (TCO2) at a concentration in excess of 36.0 millimoles per litre in plasma, for the purpose of affecting the performance or behaviour of Cash Crisis in that race.
As alternative charges, the Stewards allege:
- Pursuant to AR 245, prior to the race on 6 February 2019, Mr Widdison administered, or caused to be administered, to Cash Crisis a prohibited substance, being alkalinising agents as evidenced by total carbon dioxide (TCO2) at a concentration in excess of 36.0 millimoles per litre in plasma, which was detected in a blood sample taken from Cash Crisis prior to the running of the race.
- Pursuant to AR 240(2), on 6 February 2019, Cash Crisis was brought to the Sandown racecourse for the purpose of engaging in the Highways Lunar New Year Handicap over 1300 metres when a prohibited substance, being alkalinising agents as evidenced by a total carbon dioxide (TCO2) concentration in excess of 36.0 millimoles per litre in plasma, was detected in a blood sample taken from Cash Crisis prior to the running of the race.
The charges issued against Mr Widdison will be heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed.