RV Stewards' Report - Grahame Begg

Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards today completed their inquiry into the detection of Meloxicam in the pre-race blood sample taken from Shades Of Pink (FR) when it ran sixth in Race 1, the Ladbrokes Odds Surge Maiden Plate, over 1100 metres at Southside Pakenham Racecourse on Monday, 22 June 2026.

Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which is approved for use in horses to prevent and treat inflammation. The substance is, however, prohibited 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).

Trainer Grahame Begg pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR 240(2) in that, on 22 June 2026, Shades Of Pink (FR) was brought to Southside Pakenham Racecourse and competed in the Ladbrokes Odds Surge Maiden Plate over 1100 metres, and the pre-race blood sample taken from the horse was found upon analysis to contain Meloxicam, which is a prohibited substance pursuant to Division 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 2 (Prohibited List B) of the Australian Rules of Racing.

In determining the appropriate penalty, the Stewards considered Mr Begg’s guilty plea and cooperation throughout the inquiry, the inadvertent administration resulting from human error, his exemplary record which showed no prior breaches of this rule, and the need for general deterrence. As a result, Mr Begg was fined $1,500.

Under the provisions of AR 240(1), the Stewards also disqualified Shades Of Pink (FR) from the relevant race and amended the placings accordingly.