Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have today issued charges against licensed trainer Richard Laming following an investigation into the circumstances that led to the Mr Laming trained horse, Iam Ekstraordinary, returning a urine sample containing cobalt in excess of the permitted threshold of 100 micrograms per litre in urine.
The pre-race urine sample was taken from Iam Ekstraordinary after finishing fifth in the City of Ballarat Maiden Plate over 1200 metres at Ballarat Racecourse on 23 May 2018.
In accordance with Schedule 1, Part 2, Division 3 of the Australian Rule of Racing, cobalt is a prohibited substance on race day at a mass concentration in excess of 100 micrograms per litre in urine.
The concentration of cobalt detected in the urine sample was determined by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) to be greater than 200 micrograms per litre (with a measurement uncertainty of 10 micrograms per litre at 100 micrograms per litre) and by Racing Science Centre to be also greater than 200 micrograms per litre (with a measurement uncertainty of 6 micrograms per litre).
The following three charges (of which two are in the alternative) have been laid against Mr Laming under the Australian Rules of Racing.
Charge One: AR 245 Administration of prohibited substance in sample taken from horse before/after running in race
In breach of AR 245(1) the Stewards allege that, prior to the race on 23 May 2018, Mr Laming administered, or caused to be administered, to Iam Ekstraordinary a prohibited substance, being cobalt at a concentration in excess of 100 micrograms per litre in urine, which was detected in a sample taken from Iam Ekstraordinary prior to the running of the race.
Charge Two: AR 240 Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at race meeting [Alternative to Charge One]
In breach of AR 240(2) the Stewards allege that on 23 May 2018, Mr Laming brought Iam Ekstraordinary to the Ballarat Racecourse for the purpose of engaging in the City of Ballarat Maiden Plate 1200 metres when a prohibited substance, being cobalt at a mass concentration in excess of 100 micrograms per litre in urine, was detected in a urine sample taken from Iam Ekstraordinary prior to the running of the race.
Charge Three: AR 104 Trainers must keep treatment records
In breach of AR 104 the Stewards allege that during a stable inspection on 20 June 2018, a treatment diary was provided which was later proven not to be up to date.
The charges issued against Mr Laming will be heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) on a date to be fixed.