Queensland trainer Peter Fleming has been fined $3000 after a urine sample taken from Text Book was found to contain the prohibited substance Methocarbamol.
The case created interest among trainers because Fleming told stewards Text Book had been treated with the pain killer to prevent her tying up in the week leading up to her win at Rockhampton in August 9 last year.
Fleming believed he allowed a sufficient withholding period to prevent the mare returning a positive sample.
Stewards also heard evidence from Fleming’s vet and his apprentice.
After considering the evidence stewards found Fleming guilty of bringing a horse to race with a prohibited substance which was later detected.
Fleming was fined $3000 and Text Book was disqualified from first place.
The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission meanwhile has introduced a new rule that runners in races worth more than $100,000 have to be on course three hours before starting time.
Chief steward Peter Chadwick said it would improve integrity and also bring the state into line with other jurisdictions.
The first day of the rule will be at Rockhampton for the Newmarket meeting on Friday.
