Queensland trainer Nathan Schofield has lost his appeal against a 12-month disqualification for intending to treat a horse via a stomach tube on race day.
Schofield had Beseech entered for the last race at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day but the horse was forced to stay in his Geelong stable after a raid by officers from Racing Victoria’s Compliance Assurance team.
During the stable inspection they found a naso-gastric tube, 400ml of warm water, a funnel, bucket and twitch which were by Schofield’s admission, to be used to stomach tube Beseech.
At a subsequent hearing, Schofield was banned for 12 months and received a second 12 months, to be served concurrently, for refusing a steward’s request to seach his vehicle.
Stomach tubes are used to administer bicarbonate of soda to slow the build-up of lactic acid.
The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board dismissed Schofield’s appeal on Monday.
The board will hear an appeal by leading Melbourne trainer Robert Smerdon next Monday over a $10,000 fine imposed for failing to ensure no medication was administered to his galloper Shewan before the horse was due to race at Caulfield on October 20.
