RV Stewards' Report - Tom Dabernig

Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have received a report from Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) confirming that a prohibited substance has been detected in a urine sample collected from the Tom Dabernig-trained racehorse, Ashford Street.
 

The report relates to a pre-race urine sample taken from Ashford Street prior to running in the Millennium Sprint over 1000 metres (Race 7) at Caulfield Racecourse on 19 October 2024 where the gelding finished eighth. 

RASL reported that the urine sample was shown to contain Testosterone, Formestane, 4-Hydroxytestosterone, and 6a-Hydroxyandrost-4-Ene3, 17-Dione, which are prohibited substances in accordance with the Australian Rules of Racing. 

The Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) also reported that it had detected Testosterone, Formestane and 4-Hydroxytestosterone within the reserve portion of the urine sample.

Both Testosterone and 4-Hydroxytestosterone are classified as an anabolic androgenic steroid.  Formestane is a steroidal aromatase inhibitor and 6a-Hydroxyandrost-4-Ene3, 17-Dione is a metabolite of a steroidal aromatase inhibitor.

Steroidal aromatase inhibitors are not known to be contained in any therapeutic medications registered for use in horses.

Mr Dabernig was initially informed of the irregularity and has now been notified of the confirmatory findings. 

RV Stewards are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the positive sample.