Morrison told positive test was sabotage
HUGHIE MORRISON was told that another trainer was involved in the doping of his filly Our Little Sister. The revelation came on the first day of a hearing that could see Morrison banned for 10 years after the horse’s positive test for anabolic steroid nandrolone. The hearing was told Morrison had been approached by the informant after he offered a £10,000 reward for clues about how 12-1 shot Our Little Sister tested positive after finishing last at Wolverhampton on January 14. The informant claimed a row between Our Little Sister’s owner and another trainer led to the handler, who cannot be named for legal reasons, ‘nobbling’ Morrison’s horse by way of revenge. BHA investigators interviewed the trainer and her partner, an amateur jockey. Both were named as people who ‘might be of interest’ by Morrison’s QC Graeme McPherson. But Philip Evans, QC for the BHA, said the information was ‘not relevant’ to the case and Morrison had ‘no positive case’ against the two individuals. Morrison does not contest the positive finding for nandrolone but insists he has been the victim of a malicious act. Under the BHA’s strict rules, he is held responsible if he cannot present an explanation. The Independent Disciplinary panel was told that after the positive test was reported on February 1 Morrison’s East Ilsley stable was raided two days later and all of his 75 horses, including Our Little Sister, tested negative. The BHA found no security concerns at the stables. Morrison’s team supplied two expert witness to support their assertion that Our Little Sister could have been doped when she was left alone after a run at Southwell on January 2. CCTV footage from there had been erased before it could be examined. The hearing will conclude today but a judgment is not likely until after Christmas.