Fernie fined, Batista disqualified over prohibited substance

Kalgoorlie trainer Peter Fernie has been fined $6,000 and his horse Batista disqualified after a prohibited substance was detected following the gelding’s victory at Kalgoorlie in June.

Racing WA stewards concluded an inquiry on Friday into the detection of triamcinolone acetonide in a blood sample taken from Batista after the horse won  at Kalgoorlie on June 7.

At the hearing, Fernie pleaded guilty to a charge under Australian Rule of Racing 240(2) relating to the presence of a prohibited substance in a post-race sample.

Stewards imposed a $6000 fine and, under Rule 240(1), ordered Batista be disqualified from the race, with placings amended and prizemoney redistributed.

In determining penalty, stewards took into account Fernie’s cooperation and guilty plea, along with what they described as a strong overall record, noting he had only one previous offence involving a therapeutic substance in 2020.

The prohibited substance detected was triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid anti-inflammatory medication used therapeutically in horses.