Watchdog has not found substance used
Queensland racing’s integrity boss says he is aware that banned peptide SGF-1000 has been linked to the sport, but was yet to come across a participant using it.
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Queensland racing’s integrity boss Ross Barnett says he is aware that banned peptide SGF-1000 has been linked to the sport, but was yet to come across a participant using it.
Speaking to the Cairns Post, the QRIC commissioner said he knew that several companies were making versions of the substance.
His comments follow the recent spate of north Queensland trainers being fined and having winning horses disqualified for positive tests for dexamethasone.
Earlier this year, Racing Victoria’s executive general manager Jamie Stier said there hadn’t been any positive tests to SGF-1000 in Victorian racing but “we’ve had reported positives to dexamethasone”, which allegedly shows up as a false positive for SGF-1000 in American testing.
It has been reported that the peptide is allegedly undetectable in American racing, where 27 people were charged in the US in March of this year in relation to what authorities have described as a widespread doping operation.
Barnett said QRIC had been aware of SGF-1000 for some time.
“The commission tests for a range of prohibited substances and does not discuss its testing methods, however, the commission is aware of the substance,” Barnett said.
“It is an unregulated substance, which must not be used in racing animals.
“The commission is also aware that there are several other companies making versions of this substance.
“I warn trainers that the use of such unregulated products is an offence under the Rules of Racing and may lead to the detection of prohibited substances.”
As many as six north Queensland horse trainers have been fined for the use of dexamethasone in recent months, including Sharlee D’Avila, Alex Maliff, Roy Chillemi and Jade Doolan, while Mackay’s John Manzelmann and Townsville’s Jeffrey Caught have had multiple horses disqualified.
Caught was found guilty of using dexamethasone, while the other five pleaded guilty.
The Cairns Post is not suggesting these horse trainers have used the peptide SGF-1000 on their racehorses.
A north Queensland-based horse trainer this week said he spoke with stewards from the QRIC earlier this month, who were very interested to talk about SGF-1000 and find more information about the peptide.
Some within the racing industry have remarked the fines, between $2000-$3000, for trainers caught using dexamethasone on race day are hardly a deterrent.
“The commission has confidence in the steward’s penalties,” Barnett said.
Barnett said QRIC was not going back to retest old tests following the recent string of NQ positives.
“The Commission is confident in its testing regime and if the substance was not detected the first time, further testing is not necessary,” he said.
Testing at Rockhampton and Townsville account for the majority of dexamethasone positives in the past 12 months, with 14 overall positive results for dexamethasone in the thoroughbred code across Queensland.
Originally published as Watchdog has not found substance used
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