Horse suspected of being administered prohibited substance

A harness racing horse is suspected of being administered a prohibited substance for the second time in a year.

Johnny Nevits was a late scratch at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meet at Addington Raceway on Friday night.

A Stipendiary Stewards report said Racing Integrity Board (RIB) investigators completed a stable inspection at the training premises of harness racing trainer and junior driver Cameron Jones on Friday.

Acting on a report by the RIB, stewards ordered Johnny Nevits to be scratched from race two acting under rule 213 (1) (c).

That rule relates to horses that have had or may have had a prohibited substance administered. Under harness racing rules horses are not allowed to be administered any substance on race day.

An investigation has been opened into the incident, with pre-race blood testing having been carried out.

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by Sam Sherwood