Racing Victoria stewards have taken decisive action against mare Delicious Tycoon, suspending her for the entire racing season following a positive test for the banned steroid trendione.
This case marks the second incident in Matt Laurie’s stable, following a similar issue with mare Anahita last September.
Laurie, informed of Delicious Tycoon’s positive test, had previously attributed Anahita’s positive result to the seasonal medication Altrenogest.
This theory is supported by a parallel case involving trainer Rebecca Waymouth and her mare Maliepo, where the same medication was identified as the likely source of a trendione positive.
Confirming the prohibited substance in a blood sample from Delicious Tycoon taken on August 3 last year, Racing Victoria stewards have enforced a 12-month ban from racing, starting from the sample date.
This means Delicious Tycoon, with three race wins and nearly $200,000 in earnings, is ineligible to race until at least August 3, 2024.
Laurie’s statement highlighted the use of Altrenogest and its cessation on the day of Anahita’s positive result.
The ongoing investigation seeks to clarify the circumstances surrounding these findings.
