Guineas cash can be paid
THE Queensland Racing Integrity Commission has told Racing Queensland no appeals have been lodged in relation to Alligator Blood’s disqualification from the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas and that it is free to pay out on the new result.
At an inquiry last month, Alligator Blood was disqualified from his win in the Gold Coast race and trainer David Vandyke was fined $20,000.
QRIC confirmed on Wednesday that no internal review had been lodged in relation to that finding.
“As the appeal period of 14 days is complete, Racing Queensland is free to pay out the prizemoney to the amended placegetters,” Integrity Commissioner Ross Barnett said.
Leading into the inquiry, which was in relation to Alligator Blood having the prohibited substance altrenogest in his system when he won the $2 million race in January, owner Allan Endresz made public comments indicating he would take the matter to the courts in a bid to have any disqualification overturned.
Endresz had appointed legal representatives and indicated he was determined to test the validity of the decision and the Australian Rule of Racing under which the horse was disqualified.
This had been expected to delay finalisation of the result for considerable time.
Racing Queensland had said no money would be distributed until all appeal avenues had been finalised.
But with no official notification being made to QRIC or Racing Queensland, payment can be distributed.
The Greg Hickmantrained Eleven Eleven is the new winner.
A senior industry figure said last night: “Racing Queensland anticipates a decision on prizemoney payments to affected participants within the next week.”