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RWITC agrees to test feed for Boldenone contamination - By Usman Rangeela I Mumbai Mirror

Posted on - 15 Apr 2011

RWITC agrees to test feed for Boldenone contamination
 
Usman Rangeela
Mumbai Mirror
 
WHAT IS being seen as a one-of-its-kind decision by the racing fraternity, and probably the first in the world of horse-racing, the regulating body of the Royal Western India Turf Club has finally conceded the demand of three top professionals to get the feed supplement tested for the presence of Boldenone.
 
   Despite the reservations expressed by the RWITC’s legal advisors, the Stewards of the turf club have, in principle, decided to go for the tests. This unprecedented decision was taken at a Stewards’ meeting held last evening.
 
   Trainers Pesi Shroff, Sheraz Sunderji and Cooji Katrak are in the dock after being found in breach of the medication rules of the club as the urine samples of Eloise, Ocean & Beyond and Star Future tested positive for Boldenone.
 
CATCH-22 SITUATION
 
The club found themselves in a catch-22 situation following their directive to the three trainers to submit mitigating circumstances to explain the presence of Boldenone in the urine samples of their horses following their participation in the Indian 1000 and 2000 Guineas in December last year.
 
   The trainers defended themselves by claiming that the feed supplements supplied to them by the club were contaminated.
 
   Shroff even submitted two laboratory reports, one from Chennai and the other from United States, to substantiate his claim that the feed was contaminated with Boldenone. Since then, the RWITC was undecided whether to send the feed supplement for testing or not.
 
   According to RWITC chairman Vivek Jain, “The samples of the feed supplement will be sent to the Horseracing Forensic Laboratory, Newmarket UK, shortly.
 
   Explaining the logic behind the Stewards’ decision, Jain said, “Even though the Rules of Racing do not make it obligatory on the club to send the feed supplement for testing, the Stewards took an overall view and in order to set at rest the controversy on the alleged contamination, have decided to go ahead with the test.”
 
   The RWITC however is taking a cautious step and will be informing the three trainers that the tests will be conducted subject to certain conditions and caveats emerging out of the club’s consultation with their legal advisors. Jain asserted that, “The sample of the feed supplements will be sent for testing only after the acceptance of these parameters by the three professionals.”
 
   When asked for his view, co-owner of Eloise and former RWITC chairman Khushroo Dhunjibhoy said, “It’s the right decision taken by the club. And, in my opinion, the professionals, in all fairness, deserved to be given an opportunity to prove their innocence.”


 


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