RV Stewards' Reports - Michael Templeton & Chris Calthorpe

Stewards' Report - Michael Templeton

Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have received a report from Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) confirming that a prohibited substance was detected in a sample collected from the Michael Templeton-trained racehorse, Captains Choice.

The report relates to a pre-race urine sample taken from Captains Choice when the gelding presented to run in the Ladbrokes Popular SRM BM62 Handicap (Race 8) over 1732 metres at Sale Racecourse on 21 December 2025.

Subsequent to the running of Race 5, after receiving 25mm of rainfall since the commencement of the race meeting, Stewards conducted a track inspection and the track was deemed unsafe and the race meeting was abandoned.

RASL reported that the urine sample was shown to contain Cobalt, which is considered a prohibited substance, subject to the threshold, under the Australian Rules of Racing.

The Racing Chemistry Laboratory also reported that it had detected Cobalt within the reserve portion of the urine sample.

Cobalt is an essential micronutrient needed for vitamin B12 synthesis in horses. Under normal circumstances, adult horses obtain sufficient Cobalt from their diet to meet their daily requirements. Cobalt compromises equine welfare at high doses and hence, a need for strict regulation is required. Cobalt is a prohibited substance, in accordance with the Rules of Racing, at a concentration in excess of 100 micrograms per litre in urine.

RV Stewards initially informed Mr. Templeton of the irregularity on 29 January 2026. Mr. Templeton has now been informed of the confirmatory findings and that Stewards are continuing their investigation.

Stewards' Report - Chris Calthorpe

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 Chris Calthorpe-trained racehorse, Divine Turf.

The report relates to a pre-race urine sample collected from Divine Turf prior to running in the Bet365 New Racing App BM56 Handicap over 1472 metres (Race 7) at Kyneton Racecourse on 18 November 2025, where the mare finished fifth of nine runners.

RASL reported that the urine sample was shown to contain O-Desmethyltramadol.

O-Desmethyltramadol is the primary active metabolite of Tramadol.

Tramadol is an opioid analgesic (pain-relieving medication) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used to treat pain in humans and is not registered for use in horses.

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 a jump-out for the purpose of obtaining a permit to start in a race).

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

RV Stewards initially informed Mr. Calthorpe of the irregularity on 9 January 2026. Mr. Calthorpe has since been informed of the confirmatory findings and that the Stewards are continuing their investigation.