3 minute read

A Perth trainer has been stood down pending an inquiry into the alleged administration of an unapproved substance to a winner at Pinjarra in December.

Stewards are awaiting the results of laboratory tests taken from three-year-old gelding Rhino’s Lad after he staged a significant form reversal to win over 1000m on December 13.

Trainer Ben Owen was confronted by stewards after they received a post-race report from an unnamed identity on race day alleging that Owen treated the galloper in the lead-up to the race.

Stewards searched Owen and found him to be in possession of a spray bottle labelled 'Nitrolingual', a treatment used by humans to prevent or relieve sudden chest pains caused by heart disease by dilating blood vessels.

The spray reduces the amount of oxygen needed by the heart.

Samples were taken from Rhino's Lad at Pinjarra for analysis with a hearing date to be fixed once the laboratory results have been returned.