Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have today issued three charges, of which two are in the alternative, against licensed trainer Bill Cerchi following their investigation into the circumstances that led to the Mr Cerchi trained Backstreet Alley returning a pre-race blood sample containing Frusemide (a diuretic) on 31 December 2019 following its run in the Westvic Waste and Recycling BM64 Handicap over 1100metres (the race).
The presence of Frusemide was detected in the blood sample by Racing Analytical Services Limited and by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory.
Stewards issued charges against Mr Cerchi in accordance with AR 249, AR 245(1) and AR 240(2) as summarised below:
- Charge One: In contravention of AR 249, Mr Cerchi administered or caused to be administered a medication, being Frusemide, to Backstreet Alley on raceday prior to the commencement of the race.
- Charge Two (Alternative to Charge One):In contravention of AR 245(1), Mr Cerchi administered or caused to be administered Frusemide (a prohibited substance on raceday) to Backstreet Alley prior to the commencement of the race.
- Charge Three (Alternative to Charges One and Two):In contravention of AR 240(2), a prohibited substance on raceday, being Frusemide, was detected in a pre-race blood sample taken from Backstreet Alley prior to the running of the race.
The charges will be heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed.