Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards today issued five charges, of which two are in the alternative, under the Australian Rules of Racing against licensed trainer Paul Banks after their investigations into the following samples provided by horses in Mr Banks’ care:
- The pre-race blood sample taken from Coastal Chic at Echuca Racecourse on 15 September 2018, where the mare finished ninth in the Bourke Builders 0-58 Handicap over 2800 metres;
- The post-race blood sample taken from Rex Bell at Geelong Racecourse on 30 September 2019, where the gelding won the Shojun Concrete Benchmark 58 Handicap over 2255 metres; and
- The pre-race blood taken from Rex Bell at the Geelong Racecourse on 23 October 2019, where the gelding finished third in the Avalon Airport Benchmark 70 Handicap over 2400 metres.
The charges issued against Mr Banks will be heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) on a date to be fixed.
Coastal Chic Investigation (Sample 1)
The following charges all pertain to the Bourke Builders 0-58 Handicap over 2800 metres at Echuca Racecourse on 15 September 2018 (the race) in which Coastal Chic ran.
Charge One: AR 244 - Administration of prohibited substance to affect race performance
The summary of the particulars being that prior to the race Mr Banks administered, or caused to be administered, to Coastal Chic 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 Coastal Chic in the race.
Alkalinising agents are a prohibited substance pursuant to Division 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Australian Rules of Racing, subject to the threshold in Item 1 of Division 3 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Australian Rules of Racing.
Charge Two: AR 245 - Administration of prohibited substance in sample taken from horse before/after running in race [Alternative to Charge One]
The summary of the particulars being that prior to the race Mr Banks administered, or caused to be administered, to Coastal Chic 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 Coastal Chic prior to the running of the race.
Charge Three: AR 240 - Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at race meeting [Alternative to Charges One and Two]
The summary of the particulars being that 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 Coastal Chic prior to the running of the race.
Rex Bell Investigation (Samples 2 and 3)
Charge Four: AR 240 (2) - Prohibited substance in sample taken from a horse brought to a race meeting
The summary of the particulars being that Rex Bell was brought to the Geelong Racecourse on 30 September 2019 and ran in the Shojun Concrete Benchmark 58 Handicap over 2255 metres (the race).
A prohibited substance, being Meloxicam, was detected in a post-race blood sample taken from Rex Bell following the running of the race. Meloxicam is listed as a prohibited substance pursuant to Division 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Australian Rules of Racing.
Charge Five: AR 240 (2) - Prohibited substance in sample taken from a horse brought to a race meeting
The summary of the particulars being that Rex Bell was brought to the Geelong Racecourse on 23 October 2019 and ran in the Avalon Airport Benchmark 70 Handicap over 2400 metres (the race).
A prohibited substance, being Meloxicam, was detected in a pre-race blood sample taken from Rex Bell prior to the running of the race.