RV Stewards' Reports - Brown, Chambers, Dunn, L & S Hope, Kennewell, Preusker
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Matthew Brown
Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards, subsequent to their investigation, have issued two charges against licensed trainer, Matthew Brown, each under Australian Rule of Racing 240(2), as the trainer of Rip ‘N’ Rip (the Horse) in relation to the Horse’s win at Bendigo Racecourse on 13 July 2025.
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 charges are summarised as follows:
On 13 July 2025, the Horse was brought to Bendigo Racecourse and ran in Race 7, the Sheahan Plumbing BM64 Handicap, over 1300 metres (the Race).
On 13 July 2025, after the Race, a urine sample was taken from the Horse (the Sample).
An analysis of the Sample detected the presence of formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione.
Formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione are prohibited substances pursuant to Division 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 (Prohibited list A) of the Australian Rules of Racing.
The presence of formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione was detected in the Sample by Racing Analytical Services Limited and the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory.
In accordance with AR248(4), the Horse was prohibited from starting in a race, trial or jumpout for 12 months from the date the Sample was collected.
AR 248 Administration of anabolic androgenic steroids and selective androgen receptor modulators
(4) If a sample taken at any time from a horse has detected in it an anabolic androgenic steroid and/or a selective androgen receptor modulator, the horse is not permitted to start in any race, official trial or jumpout:
for a period of not less than 12 months from the date of the collection of the sample; and
until after an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Clearing Certificate and/or a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator Clearing Certificate, as the case may be, is provided in respect of a sample taken from the horse on a date directed by a PRA or the Stewards.
The charges issued against Mr Brown will be heard before RV Stewards on a date to be fixed in line with changes to the Serious Offence list made in 2025 (as outlined at the conclusion of this report).
Adam Chambers
Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards, subsequent to their investigation, have issued two charges against licensed trainer, Adam Chambers, each under Australian Rule of Racing (AR) 240(2), as the trainer of Major Share (the Horse) in relation to the Horse’s unplaced run at Moonee Valley Racecourse on 25 October 2025.
The particulars of the charges are summarised as follows:
On 25 October 2025, the Horse was brought to Mooney Valley Racecourse and ran in Race 1, the Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank Imperatriz Sprint, over 1000 metres (the Race).
On 25 October 2025, prior to the Race, a urine sample was taken from the Horse (the Sample).
An analysis of the Sample detected the presence of formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione.
Formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione are prohibited substances pursuant to Division 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 (Prohibited list A) of the Australian Rules of Racing.
The presence of formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione was detected in the Sample by Racing Analytical Services Limited and the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory.
In accordance with AR248(4), the Horse is prohibited from starting in a race, trial or jumpout for 12 months from the date the Sample was collected.
The charges issued against Mr Chambers will be heard before RV Stewards on a date to be fixed in line with changes to the Serious Offence list made in 2025 (as outlined at the conclusion of this report).
Nathan Dunn
Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards, subsequent to their investigation, have issued two charges against licensed trainer, Nathan Dunn, each under Australian Rule of Racing (AR) 240(2), as the trainer of Inthelapofthegods (the Horse) in relation to the Horse’s win at Mornington Racecourse on 12 May 2025.
The particulars of the charges are summarised as follows:
On 12 May 2025, the Horse was presented to Mornington Racecourse and was engaged to race in Race 8, the Betavet Handicap, over 2445 metres (the Race).
On 12 May 2025, after the Race, a urine sample was taken from the Horse (the Sample).
An analysis of the Sample detected the presence of formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione.
Formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione are prohibited substances pursuant to Division 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 (Prohibited list A) of the Australian Rules of Racing.
The presence of formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione was detected in the Sample by Racing Analytical Services Limited and the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory.
In accordance with AR248(4), the Horse was prohibited from starting in a race, trial or jumpout for 12 months from the date the Sample was collected.
The charges issued against Mr Dunn will be heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed as the Sample was taken prior to 1 July 2025 when changes to the Serious Offence list came into effect (as outlined at the conclusion of this report).
Lee and Shannon Hope
Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards, subsequent to their investigation, have issued two charges against licensed trainers, Lee and Shannon Hope, each under Australian Rule of Racing (AR) 240(2), as the trainers of Iluvcoffee (the Horse) in relation to the Horse’s win at Benalla Racecourse on 14 April 2025.
The particulars of the charges are summarised as follows:
On 14 April 2025, the Horse was presented to Benalla Racecourse and was engaged to race in Race 6, the Mulwala Water Ski Club over 1606 metres (the Race).
On 14 April 2025, after the Race, a urine sample was taken from the Horse (the Sample).
An analysis of the Sample detected the presence of formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione.
Formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione are prohibited substances pursuant to Division 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 (Prohibited list A) of the Australian Rules of Racing.
The presence of formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione was detected in the Sample by Racing Analytical Services Limited and the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory.
In accordance with AR248(4), the Horse was prohibited from starting in a race, trial or jumpout for 12 months from the date the Sample was collected.
The charges issued against Lee and Shannon Hope will be heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed as the Sample was taken prior to 1 July 2025 when changes to the Serious Offence list came into effect (as outlined at the conclusion of this report).
Lloyd Kennewell
Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards, subsequent to their investigation, have issued two charges against licensed trainer, Lloyd Kennewell, each under Australian Rule of Racing 240(2), as the trainer of Nursery Chime (the Horse) in relation to the Horse’s win at Mornington Racecourse on 18 November 2025.
The particulars of the charges are summarised as follows:
On 18 September 2025, the Horse was presented to Mornington Racecourse and was engaged to race in Race 7, the ModTech Handicap over 1500 metres (the Race).
On 18 September 2025, after the Race, a urine sample was taken from the Horse (the Sample).
An analysis of the Sample detected the presence of formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione.
Formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione are prohibited substances pursuant to Division 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 (Prohibited list A) of the Australian Rules of Racing.
The presence of formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione was detected in the Sample by Racing Analytical Services Limited and the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory.
In accordance with AR248(4), the Horse is prohibited from starting in a race, trial or jumpout for 12 months from the date the Sample was collected.
The charges issued against Mr Kennewell will be heard before RV Stewards on a date to be fixed in line with changes to the Serious Offence list made in 2025 (as outlined at the conclusion of this report).
Paul Preusker
Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards, subsequent to their investigation, have issued two charges against licensed trainer, Paul Preusker, each under Australian Rule of Racing 240(2), as the trainer of Chairman (the Horse) in relation to the Horse’s win at Penshurst Racecourse on 22 November 2025.
The particulars of the charges are summarised as follows:
On 22 November 2025, the Horse was presented to Penshurst Racecourse and was engaged to race in Race 7, the Bet365 Penshurst Cup, over 2000 metres (the Race).
On 22 November 2025, after the Race, a urine sample was taken from the Horse (the Sample).
An analysis of the Sample detected the presence of formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione.
Formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione are prohibited substances pursuant to Division 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 (Prohibited list A) of the Australian Rules of Racing.
The presence of formestane, 4-hydroxytestosterone and 6a-hydroxyandrostenedione was detected in the Sample by Racing Analytical Services Limited and the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory.
In accordance with AR248(4), the Horse is prohibited from starting in a race, trial or jumpout for 12 months from the date the Sample was collected.
The charges issued against Mr Preusker will be heard before RV Stewards on a date to be fixed in line with changes to the Serious Offence list made in 2025 (as outlined at the conclusion of this report).
Overview of Substances & Jurisdiction
Formestane
Formestane is an aromatase inhibitor and an anti-estrogenic substance. It can block the conversion of androgens into oestrogens. It can therefore be classified as a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERMS).
In the Australian Rules of Racing, compounds listed in Schedule 1, Part 1, Division 1 as prohibited substances include but are not limited to SERMS. Formestane is thus considered a prohibited substance under the Australian Rules of Racing.
Formestane is not registered or approved for use in animals by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). It is not currently registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
4-hydroxytestosterone
4-hydroxytestosterone is a derivative of testosterone and is a synthetic anabolic androgenic steroid and is therefore prohibited under the Australian Rules of Racing.
6a-hydroxyandrostendione
6a-hydroxyandrostenedione, or 6a-hydroxyandrost-4-ene 3,17-dione as it is also known, is a metabolite of the anabolic steroid androst-4-ene-3, 6, 17-trione (6-OXO) and is therefore prohibited under the Australian Rules of Racing.
Serious Offence List Changes
Australian Rule of Racing (AR) 240, commonly referred to as the ‘presentation charge’, was removed from the Serious Offence list in Victoria with effect from 1 July 2025.
Charges issued for breaching rules under the Serious Offence list must be heard by the VRT. Those not on the Serious Offence list may be heard by RV Stewards with participants retaining the right to appeal a decision of the Stewards to the VRT.
Thus, charges issued under AR240 for samples collected prior to 1 July 2025 must be referred directly to the VRT. For charges issued under AR240 for samples collected after 1 July 2025, Stewards can convene an inquiry and decide the matter without referring it to the VRT.
This change in the Serious Offence list was enacted by RV in 2025 following consultation with the VRT, Australian Trainers Association (ATA) and Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA) with the intent of expediting the process for all parties without removing any rights for participants.