Racing Victoria stewards have fined three trainers after prohibited substances were detected in race-day samples, continuing a series of cases involving formestane and its metabolites.
Licensed trainers Lloyd Kennewell, Paul Preusker and Adam Chambers each pleaded guilty to breaches of Australian Rule of Racing 240(2), relating to the presentation of a horse that subsequently returns a positive sample to a prohibited substance.
Kennewell’s charge stemmed from Nursery Chime’s victory at Mornington on September 18, 2025, where a post-race urine sample detected Formestane, 4-Hydroxytestosterone and 6a-Hydroxyandrost-4-Ene 3,17-Dione.
Stewards imposed a $6,000 fine, with $3,000 suspended for 12 months, while Nursery Chime was disqualified and the race placings amended.
Preusker received an identical penalty after pleading guilty over Chairman’s victory in the Penshurst Cup on November 22, 2025, where a post-race urine sample returned the same prohibited substances.
Chambers admitted the charge relating to Major Share, which finished fourth at Moonee Valley on October 25, 2025.
A pre-race urine sample from Major Share also detected the prohibited substances.
Stewards noted it was Chambers’ first offence under the rule and fined him $4,000, with $2,000 suspended for 12 months. Major Share was subsequently disqualified from the race.
In determining penalty, stewards considered each trainer’s guilty plea, personal circumstances, disciplinary history and a Victorian Racing Tribunal precedent established on March 23, 2026.
All three trainers were advised of their right to appeal the penalties to the Victorian Racing Tribunal within three days.
