On Wednesday 1 April 2026, Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that tiludronic acid was detected in an Out of Competition blood sample obtained from the horse SURE THING CAPTAIN on Thursday 4 September 2025.
The ‘B’ sample was confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
On Saturday 6 September 2025, SURE THING CAPTAIN ran in Race 5 the TAB LEN SMITH MILE (GROUP 1) at Tabcorp Park Menangle.
The certificates of analysis issued by ARFL and RASL were entered into evidence at the Inquiry.
Licensed Trainer Ms Price appeared at the Inquiry and provided evidence in relation to the horse SURE THING CAPTAIN and the treatment of the horse with Tildren (tiludronic acid) by a registered veterinarian on 16 April 2025.
HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott attended and provided evidence to the Inquiry, including the fact that as the tiludronic acid was detected in an out of competition sample obtained two (2) days prior to the race, it was unable to be determined whether it would have been present when the horse was presented to race on Saturday 6 September 2025.
Stewards considered the provisions of AHRR 190AB(5) which states:
AHRR 190AB (5) When a sample taken from a horse aged four years or older has detected in it
(a) A registered bisphosphonate other than zoledronic acid the horse is not permitted to start in any race for a minimum period of thirty days from the date of the collection of the sample in which the bisphosphonate was detected.
After hearing submissions from Ms Price, Stewards ordered pursuant to AHRR 65, that the horse SURE THING CAPTAIN be disqualified from the subject race on Saturday 6 September 2025 as such race start was within 30 days of the sample taken on 4 September 2026 which revealed the presence of the registered bisphosphonate tiludronic acid.
AHRR 65 states as follows:
AHRR 65. If the Stewards find that a horse or a trainer or driver was ineligible to compete in a race they may disqualify the horse from the race or declare such horse a non-starter and make any consequent changes to the placings.
In all of the circumstances Stewards determined to take no action against Ms Price as the result of the sample taken on 4 September 2026 was not known until 21 October 2025, some 6 weeks following SURE THING CAPTAIN starting at Menangle on 6 September 2025.
Ms Price was informed of her right to appeal this decision of HRNSW Stewards.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
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Name:
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Michael Prentice Clint Bentley
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Position:
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Chief Integrity Officer Chairman of Stewards
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Phone:
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(02) 9722 6600 (02) 9722 6628
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Email:
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mprentice@hrnsw.com.au cbentley@hrnsw.com.au
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