Williamses continue to train while stewards consider Starry Heights evidence

Grant and Alana Williams will be allowed to continue training at least in the short term after Racing WA stewards reserved their decision into an inquiry into the detection of Ritalinic Acid in a post-mortem swab sample of Starry Heights last year.

After the long-running inquiry into the positive swab to Ritalin, which is used to treat humans who suffer from Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), resumed on Monday, Racing WA integrity officials on Tuesday adjourned the hearing to consider the extensive evidence presented by the Williamses and experts.

Starry Heights died as a result of catastrophic injuries the six-year-old gelding suffered during running of the Kalgoorlie Cup last October, with a subsequent samples returning a positive to Ritalin.

The trainers pleaded guilty in May to the charge of presenting Starry Heights at the races with the prohibited substance in his system.

Stewards adjourned the matter after hearing all submissions to allow for a review of the reports, expert evidence, ChemCentre analytical data and other material presented during the proceedings.

No date has been set for the decision, with stewards noting the extensive material would require careful consideration before a written determination could be issued.

The Racing Penalties Appeal Tribunal (RPAT) also released its determination on Tuesday, allowing an appeal by the Williamses against the stewards’ decision to suspend their training licences under Local Rule 22 pending the outcome of the inquiry.

The co-trainers were initially stood down in January, pending the outcome of the inquiry, before successfully gaining a stay of the standdown orders in February through legal representation to RPAT.

The Karnup-based trainers have three horses entered for Saturday’s Belmont meeting.