A stablehands hair regrowth shampoo has cost NSW trainer Gary Portelli a hefty fine.
A stablehand that works for trainer Gary Portelli has cost their employee a fine of $3,000 after their hair regrowth shampoo which contained Minoxidil found it’s way into a horses urine.
Racing NSW stewards have issued Gary Portelli a fine of $3,000 and his horse be disqualified from the race after a post-race urine sample taken from Lord Zoulander at Kembla Grange returned a positive to Minoxidil.
The following matters were taken into evidence and considered during the inquiry:
- Minoxidil is a vasodilator, present in a human medicine registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and also commonly available and present as the active ingredient of medicated hair regrowth shampoos.
- There are no registered veterinary pharmaceuticals that contain Minoxidil.
- It was established that a stablehand employed by Mr. Portelli utilised such a medicated shampoo.
- The estimated levels of Minoxidil detected by ARFL were considered low and most likely to be consistent with contamination.
Penalty
In assessing penalty Stewards considered the following matters
- Mr Portelli’s record in relation to this rule
- Guilty plea
- Relevant circumstances of the matter
Mr Portelli was fined $3000 and advised of his appeal rights.