Hayes Fined For Positive Swab
- Tuesday, 16 November 2010 01:08
Leading trainer David Hayes was fined $5,000 by TRSA stewards on Monday after he pleaded guilty to presenting Meezaah with a prohibited substance in his system.
The three-year-old gelding returned an irregularity to the substance ‘Ibuprofen’ after being beaten as favourite in the $32,000 Schweppes Tonic Handicap (1000m) at Morphettville Parks on September 4.
Meezaah finished fifth after being beaten five lengths by Belfast Boy.
Hayes explained to stewards at yesterday’s adjourned inquiry that Meezaah had been contaminated with Ibuprofen inadvertently.
When Meezaah was exercising on a treadmill, a bridle was placed on him that had been used on other horses that also exercised on the treadmill as part of rehabilitation from lower leg injuries which had been treated orally with Ibuprofen.
After considering his explanation, stewards charged Hayes as he was responsible for the presentation of Meezaah on raceday under the section 178B of the Australian Rules of Racing.
In determining penalty, the stewards acknowledged that Hayes had not previously been charged with a similar offence in Australia.
Meezaah was subsequently disqualified from the race with Elancer promoted to fifth place.
Picture: Colin Bull
