Horses swabbed after worker fails drug test

A FAILED drug test by a staff member of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen’s glamour stable is behind the suspension of Harness Jewels betting.

It is understood two staff were asked to undergo drug testing after concerns were raised they had used class A drugs in the presence of nine horses during their transport to the North Island.

One staff member supplied samples to a registered drug tester that were later found to be positive for two recreational drugs.

Another staff member suspected to be involved in the incident refused to be tested.

After seeking legal advice, the stable fired both staff members.

On Wednesday, the Racing Integrity Unit announced it would swab the potentially affected horses as a precaution.

Dibaba, trained by Terry and Glenys Chmiel, was on the same transporter and was also swabbed.

The results of those swabs will be released this afternoon.

The TAB suspended betting on the races the 10 horses were entered in after the potential contamination was revealed.

‘‘It is very unfortunate and has made for a long week but Natalie and I believe we have handled the matter the only way we could, both legally as employers and also in regards to our obligations to the industry,’’ Purdon said.

‘‘But we are hopeful and confident the horses haven’t been contaminated and will all be cleared to race.’’ — NZME