NASATOL returns positive finding... groom fined $200,000

The First Instance Tribunal, delegates of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), on October 10 conducted an investigation under Section 25 of the JRC Act into a report by the racing chemist that a urine sample taken from NASATOL after winning over 1100 metres with Omar Walker aboard on July 9 indicated the presence of Lidocaine, a prohibited substance under the Rules of Racing.

The split sample was subsequently analysed at the Chemistry Department of the University of the West Indies, Mona, in the presence of the referee chemist, where it was confirmed that Lidocaine was present in the sample.

The tribunal heard evidence on behalf of the commission from NASATOL's trainer Cashbert Khwalsingh and the groom, Michael Anthony Brown, who admitted to having administered two different substances to the horse.

Brown, who produced to the commission three boxes, advised that he had disposed of the contents from one of the boxes which he had used on the horse.

After considering the evidence, the tribunal:

(a) Accepted the finding of the racing chemist that the sample taken from NASATOL contained the prohibited substance Lidocaine, and pursuant to Rule 201 (i) disqualified it from the race in question.

(b) Found that the groom Michael Anthony Brown had failed to rebut the presumption of negligence and imposed a fine of $200,000 on him, to be paid within 90 days.

(c) Exonerated Cashbert and Gilbert Khwalsingh, trainer and owner, respectively.

Garth McBean, the commission's legal adviser, marshalled the evidence on behalf of the tribunal.

FOOTNOTE: The runner-up WHEEL N DEAL (Dane Nelson up) has been promoted to first place, NASATOL's win tally has been reduced from 36 to 35, while Omar Walker has been docked a winner.