Five trainers to fight breast cancer drug Formestane presentation charges

The five Victorian trainers charged with presenting horses to race with a breast cancer drug in their systems intend to plead not guilty.

Sirileo Miss was one of five horses forced to serve a 12-month disqualification after a positive swab to breast cancer drug Formestane. Picture: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images

The five Victorian trainers charged with presenting horses to race with a breast cancer drug in their systems intend to plead not guilty.

Trainers Smiley Chan, Mark and Levi Kavanagh, Amy and Ash Yargi, Julius Sandhu and Symon Wilde maintain contamination, during the testing of samples, led to the Formestane positives.

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Formestane, used overseas as a treatment for advanced breast cancer, is not approved for humans or animals in Australia.

The five horses involved were banned from racing for 12 months as Formestane contains a synthetic anabolic steroid.

Barrister Damian Sheales on Wednesday confirmed his clients’ intention to contest the presentation charges before the Victorian Racing Tribunal.

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“Each of the respondents have instructed that they intend to plead not guilty to the presentation charge,” Sheales advised the tribunal.

A brief directions hearing set for Wednesday was not required as the parties, including Racing Victoria senior legal counsel Marwan El-Asmar, consented to the proposed timetable for any expert evidence to be filed and served on or before late August and October respectively.

The matter is slated for a one-day hearing on December 2.

Originally published as Five trainers to fight breast cancer drug Formestane presentation charges