Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards, subsequent to their investigation, have issued the following charge against Richard and Chantelle Jolly, as the trainers of Karavas (the Horse), under Australian Rule of Racing 240(2).
Charge One: AR 240 Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at race meeting
(2) Subject to subrule (3), if a horse is brought to a racecourse for the purpose of participating in a race and a prohibited substance on Prohibited List A and/or Prohibited List B is detected in a sample taken from the horse prior to or following its running in any race, the trainer and any other person who was in charge of the horse at any relevant time breaches these Australian Rules.
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
- On 9 November 2023, the Horse was brought to the Flemington racecourse to run in Race 1, the Group 3 Darley Ottawa Stakes, over 1000 metres (the Race), finishing first.
- On 9 November 2023, a pre-race blood sample was taken from the Horse (the Sample).
- On 9 November 2023, a post-race urine sample was taken from the horse (the Sample)
- An analysis of the blood Sample detected the presence of Phenylbutazone.
- An analysis of the urine Sample detected the presence of Phenylbutazone and its metabolites Oxyphenbutazone and Gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone.
- Phenylbutazone and its metabolites are considered prohibited substances pursuant to Division 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 (Prohibited list B) of the Australian Rules of Racing.
The presence of Phenylbutazone was detected in the Sample by Racing Analytical Services Limited and by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory.
Phenylbutazone is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. It has analgesic (pain relieving), anti-inflammatory and antipyretic (fever suppression) properties and is registered for use in horses by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. The substance is, however, a prohibited substance under the Australian Rules of Racing when detected in a sample taken from a horse at a race meeting or trial (including an official trial or a jump-out for the purpose of obtaining a permit to start in a race).
The charge issued against Mr and Ms Jolly will be heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed.