Grant and Alana Williams charged over Ritalin positive – trainers sidelined while inquiry continues
Perth’s leading trainers Grant and Alana Williams will be asked to enter a plea after being charged after their Kalgoorlie Cup runner Starry Heights returned a positive test to Ritalinic Acid, which is used to treat ADHD in humans.
Western Australia’s reigning premier stable of Grant and Alana Williams won’t be able to return to the state’s training ranks in the near future while the outcome of an inquiry into a positive swab remains ongoing.
Racing WA stewards on Thursday charged the Williamses under Australian Racing Rule 240 (2), accusing them of bringing a horse to the races with a prohibited substance in its system, namely Starry Heights.
The six-year-old gelding suffered a catastrophic injury in the Kalgoorlie Cup on October 4 and was subsequently euthanised.
A post mortem was undertaken which revealed the prohibited substance Ritalinic Acid in the system of Starry Heights.
Ritalinic Acid is a metabolite of the human medication methylphenidate (Ritalin), which is used to treat people who suffer from Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The stewards will ask the Williamses, who fronted integrity officials at an inquiry on Tuesday, to enter a plea to the charge when the hearing resumes.
A date for the stewards inquiry into the matter is yet to be fixed.
Racing WA integrity officials also determined on Thursday that the Williamses, who had their trainers’ licence rescinded on January 20, remain provisionally suspended.
It means they are not allowed to enter a horse in a race or a barrier trial.
In a statement released on Thursday, Racing WA stewards said they had taken into account several factors including the impact on the Williamses but chose to continue the suspension.
They said they intend to “ensure that the charge is determined as expeditiously as possible thereby minimising the period over which the suspension pursuant to LR22 is in place”.
“Taking all matters into account and having regard to the intent and purpose of LR22, the continued and prolonged participation of a person subject to inquiry in relation to a permanently banned substance of this nature would not in the stewards’ view be in the best interests of racing in the circumstances of this case,” the stewards’ statement said.
When the Williamses were informed on January 20 that they must attend an inquiry, they said “they were “extremely surprised and concerned by this finding”.
“At no stage have we knowingly administered, or authorised the administration of, any prohibited substance to Starry Heights,” the trainers said last week.
“We have no explanation at this time as to how this substance could have entered the horse’s system.”
Two of the Williamses best horses, Railway Stakes winner Watch Me Rock and Storyville, were transferred to Oldbury-based trainer Donna Riordan late last week in order to continue their summer-autumn preparations.
The Karnup-based trainers have prepared 39 winners in Western Australia so far this season, one behind Michael Grantham, with their stable runners earning $3.78 million in prize money since August 1.
Author
Related Articles
Everest hero Think About It dies, aged seven
Proven Thoroughbreds has paid tribute to its multiple Group 1 winner and Everest winner Think About It, who died aged seven this week.
Goulburn Race Club CEO Robyn Fife to step down
After overseeing a period of significant change at the Goulburn Race Club, including the handover of the club’s land to Racing NSW, chief executive Robyn Fife has confirmed her 26-year association will come to an end.
Setting a standard – New course looks to lift best practice in racehorse syndication
The need for more established standards of education and ethical conduct in Australia’s world-leading racehorse syndication industry has led to the development of an education program to build understanding among current and prospective syndicators.