Southland trainer cleared
The Judicial Control Authority has cleared Southland trainer Kirk Larsen of any wrong doing during an investigation into his horse returning a positive swab at Forbury Park last year.
Larsen’s horse, Melina Lowe, returned a positive swab to the banned substance ketoprofen (anti-inflammatory medication) after winning at Forbury Park on June 23.
The Racing Integrity Unit notified Larsen about the positive swab in July and the authority’s decision on Larsen was released in January.
Larsen, of Branxholme, said he was ‘‘shell shocked for days’’ when first told about the swab.
‘‘It’s a trainer’s worst nightmare. We sell horses and [a good] reputation is everything.’’
He worked with the Integrity Unit and extensive investigations included checking Larsen’s veterinary supply records, the testing of 27 samples from different parts of the stable and betting figures for the race. Larsen, supported by his veterinarian, Brendan Bell, told the Integrity Unit he had never used ketoprofen.
The Judicial Control Authority’s hearing into the case was held in Auckland in December. The authority reserved its decision until releasing it in January. Its report says, ‘‘It is not for the [JCA] committee to determine how the ketoprofen came to be in Melina Lowe. No definitive decision can be made on the material available to the committee.
‘‘It is, however, appropriate for the committee to make plain that it is satisfied that Mr Larsen did not administer ketoprofen to Melina Lowe, nor did any person do that under Mr Larsen’s direction.’’
During a hearing into the matter, Larsen advanced the explanation that his horse was given ketoprofen as a result of an inadvertent mistake by persons at Forbury Park, not associated with his stable.
However, the finding says there was no direct evident to support this. Larsen had left his horse for a period of time during the evening but there are no obligations for a licenced trainer to remain with his or her horses throughout.
The Racing Integrity Unit has since received advice from the Forbury Park Trotting Club that there will be a person or persons in the stabling area throughout the evening’s racing.
Melina Lowe was disqualified from first and Larsen received a $250 fine and costs of $200.
During the Integrity Unit’s investigations it was discovered a container of ketoprofen was on course the night Melina Lowe returned a positive swab.
The report says, it was established ketoprofen was among the gear brought on track for horses for another trainer.