Alligator Blood returns irregularity to banned substance after Magic Millions Guineas win
An outcome to the Alligator Blood altrenogest bombshell is not likely to be determined for months, if not years as connections wait on the findings of a B sample taken from the star three-year-old.
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An outcome to the Alligator Blood altrenogest bombshell is not likely to be determined for months, if not years as connections wait on the findings of a B sample taken from the gelding after he won the Magic Millions Guineas in January.
QRIC announced on Wednesday that an irregularity had been found in the A sample of Alligator Blood to the banned substance altrenogest. If the B sample is also irregular, it will lead to a stewards’ inquiry and the horse’s possible disqualification from the race, where he won $1,165,000.
If he is disqualified, the Greg Hickman-trained Eleven Eleven will be declared the winner.
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Racing Queensland has not paid the winning percentage from the race and are required to withhold funds until all appeal avenues around the race result are exhausted, should that be the direction this case takes.
Alligator Blood’s outspoken part-owner Allan Endresz on Thursday claimed the horse was “nobbled” and told Radio TAB he would challenge the rules of racing and fight in court any charges or penalties laid against the horse.
Before that, the B sample needs to be returned and if positive, a stewards inquiry would need to be convened, with QRIC already having a backlog of cases involving altrenogest.
It is understood that upwards of 10 trainers have altrenogest irregularities, which are still waiting to be determined.
However, the vast majority of those pertain to fillies and mares, where the Australian Trainers Association has lobbied strongly for its use to control the breeding cycle, like is permitted in NSW.
A case involving the gelding Bosendi, which had altrenogest detected in its system after a race at Ipswich last May, was determined by QRIC stewards in November. Bosendi, who was first across the line, was disqualified and Murwillumbah trainer Angela Graham was fined $3000.
The A sample finding released on Wednesday came to light some 9½ weeks after the Magic Millions meeting.
Sources suggest a time frame to reveal an adverse A sample finding in NSW would be three-four weeks for a similar substance.
Trainer David Vandyke said on Wednesday Altrenogest had never been used on Alligator Blood and that records of the product Ovumate, which he has used on female horses in the stable, have been provided to QRIC.
It is understood swabs taken from Alligator Blood following his win in last month’s C.S. Hayes Stakes have returned all clear. Results from the Australian Guineas have not been returned yet.
*Racing Queensland has decided to increase the minimum weight of all races by 1kg, starting next week and to continue during the coronavirus crisis.
The move follows that of New Zealand and NSW in trying to alleviate health concerns for jockeys by raising minimum weights during the coronavirus lockout period.
ALLIGATOR TALE TAKES SHOCK TWIST
The feel-good story of Magic Millions day threatens to turn into a nightmare, with Alligator Blood returning an irregularity to the prohibited substance altrenogest.
Alligator Blood won the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas, despite being late on course after being held up in traffic and his float driver Emma Lehmann having to divert through the back streets of the Gold Coast to make it to the track in time, where he was greeted by a fleet of photographers and television cameras.
He was able to overcome the pre-race hysterics and win the Guineas for trainer David Vandyke and jockey Ryan Maloney.
But the win now threatens to be taken away from him after the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission reported the irregularity on Wednesday afternoon.
Altrenogest is generally a substance used to control the regulatory cycle of fillies and mares.
It is allowed for use on female racehorses in NSW, but despite strong advocacy from trainer groups, it is on the banned substance list in Victoria and Queensland.
To have a male horse (Alligator Blood is a gelding) test positive to it is highly irregular.
Vandyke issued a statement saying he was made aware of the irregularity and that he is now awaiting results on the B sample.
“Altrenogest is a drug that has never been used to my knowledge on Alligator Blood or any male horse in our stable,” Vandyke said.
“It is used in our stable under the brand name Ovumate and is given to some female horses under our care with accurate records kept surrounding administration.
“Those records have been given to QRIC.
“We are in the process of reviewing our security and stable management. There will be no further comment as we await the result of the B sample.”
Alligator Blood is Queensland’s best racehorse. He is the winner of 10 of his 12 starts, including the Group 1 Australian Guineas this month.
He started favourite in last Saturday’s $5 million All-Star Mile, but was beaten out of a place for the first time in his career and has since been sent for a spell.
There are several irregularities to altrenogest in Queensland at the moment still waiting to be heard by stewards’ inquiries.
If stewards deem the irregularity to be true and correct, Alligator Blood will likely be stripped of his win in the MM Guineas.
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