Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) stewards have concluded the inquiry regarding the reports from the Chem Centre in Perth that dexamethasone had been detected in the following samples in horses trained by Callan Suvaljko.
- Sample taken from Ardens Horizon following it racing in, and winning, Race 8 at Gloucester Park on 2 February 2024.
- Sample taken from Skippys Delight following it racing in, and winning, Race 8 at Pinjarra on 12 February 2024.
After hearing evidence at a stewards' inquiry conducted on 16 May 2024, Mr Suvaljko pleaded guilty to two charges arising under Harness Rule of Racing 190 (1), (2) and (4) in relation to being the licensed trainer when the horses in question were presented at those races not free of the prohibited substance dexamethasone.
After hearing submissions on penalty and reserving its decision, the panel determined on 22 May 2024 to impose a six-month disqualification in relation to each charge to be served concurrently with immediate effect.
Accordingly, this penalty will expire at midnight on 21 November 2024.
In addition, pursuant to Rule 195, Ardens Horizon and Skippys Delight have been disqualified from the races in question, with placings to be amended accordingly and commensurate implications for stake money to apply.
When determining penalty, stewards considered, among other things:
- Mr Suvaljko’s guilty plea and forthright manner throughout the proceedings.
- Mr Suvaljko’s prior record which included four previous offences in relation to presenting runners not free of prohibited substances.
- The nature of the substances detected, which was a corticosteroid, prescription animal remedy commonly used therapeutically as an anti-inflammatory.
- The intent and purpose of the Rule, which was directed to ensuring a level playing field, the welfare of the horses and maintaining the necessary confidence of those supporting or involved in the racing industry.
- The reported levels of both samples were well above the screening limit of 0.2ng/mL.
- That Mr Suvaljko had adopted a treatment regime via nebuliser (and in relation to Skippys Delight also IV administration of dexamethasone) which did not include cleaning the apparatus between horses and involved various dose rates which clearly considering the laboratory reports was not suitable to ensure that these rules were not breached.