RV Stewards' Reports - Travis Doudle, Kim Talent & John Rowe

Racing Victoria Staff

Nov 12, 2025

Stewards' Report - Travis Doudle

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 Travis Doudle trained racehorse, Empirestateofmind.

The report relates to a post-race urine sample collected from Empirestateofmind after running in the Mildura Volkswagen Amarok Maiden Plate over 2000 metres (Race 3) at Mildura Racecourse on 25 May 2025, where the gelding finished first of seven runners. 

RASL reported that the urine sample was shown to contain salicylic acid.

Salicylic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. It has analgesic, anti-pyretic (fever suppression) and anti-thrombotic (reduction of blood clot formation) properties. The substance is 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 jump-out for the purpose of obtaining a permit to start in a race). 

The Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) also reported that salicylic acid was detected within the reserve portion of the urine sample. 

RV Stewards initially informed Mr Doudle of the irregularity on 17 September 2025. Mr Doudle has since been informed of the confirmatory findings and that the Stewards are continuing their investigation.

Stewards' Report - Kim Talent

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 Kim Talent trained racehorse, Exonumia.

The report relates to a pre-race urine sample collected from Exonumia after running in the Swan Hill 1300m (Race 6) at Swan Hill Racecourse on 8 June 2025, where the gelding finished sixth of 13 runners. 

RASL reported that the urine sample was shown to contain salicylic acid. 

Salicylic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. It has analgesic, anti-pyretic (fever suppression) and anti-thrombotic (reduction of blood clot formation) properties. The substance is 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 jump-out for the purpose of obtaining a permit to start in a race). 

The Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) also reported that salicylic acid was detected within the reserve portion of the urine sample. 

RV Stewards initially informed Ms Talent of the irregularity on 18 September 2025. Ms Talent has since been informed of the confirmatory findings and that the Stewards are continuing their investigation. 

Stewards' Report - John Rowe

Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards, subsequent to their investigation, issued five charges against licensed trainer John Rowe under the Australian Rules of Racing.

The charges concern three occasions when Mr Rowe was interviewed by the Stewards in relation to the Rhonda Mangan trained horse, Sports Choice (the Horse), being presented at the Hamilton racecourse on 29 May 2025.

Charge One: AR 232 Failure to observe processes and directions of PRAs or Stewards

A person must not:
…
c)    while the Stewards are exercising their powers, performing their functions or carrying out their duties:
…
(ii)    obstruct, hinder or delay the Stewards in exercising their powers, performing their functions or carrying out their duties; 
…

The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:

  • On 29 May 2025, 4 June 2025 and 3 July 2025, Mr Rowe was interviewed by the Stewards in relation to the Horse being presented at the Hamilton racecourse on 29 May 2025.
  • Mr Rowe hindered and/or delayed the Stewards in performing their functions and/or carrying out their duties, in that he failed to disclose to the Stewards information relevant to their investigation and in doing so, denied the Stewards an opportunity to pursue a relevant line of inquiry.

Charges Two, Three, Four & Five: AR 232 Failure to observe processes and directions of PRAs or Stewards

A person must not:
…
(i) give any evidence at an interview, investigation, inquiry, hearing and/or appeal which is false or misleading.

The particulars of the charges are summarised as follows:

  • On 29 May 2025, 4 June 2025 and 3 July 2025, when interviewed by the Stewards, Mr Rowe provided evidence that was false and/or misleading.

At a Stewards inquiry conducted on 10 November 2025, Mr Rowe pleaded guilty to all five charges. 

Accordingly, the Stewards imposed an effective period of disqualification for Mr Rowe of six months. Subject to the participants’ right of appeal, these periods of disqualification are to commence immediately and expire on 10 May 2026.

A full breakdown of the penalties is as follows:

  • Charge One (AR 232(c)(ii)): 6-month disqualification.
  • Charge Two (AR 232(i)): 3-month disqualification.
  • Charge Three (AR 232(i)): 3-month disqualification.
  • Charge Four (AR 232(i)): 3-month disqualification.
  • Charge Five (AR 232(i)): 3-month disqualification.

All penalties are to be served concurrently.
 

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