Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) stewards concluded an inquiry yesterday into reports from ChemCentre in Perth and the Racing Analytical Services Laboratory (Vic) that flunixin was detected in the pre-race sample taken from Filthy Habits, trained by Brandon Fiore, prior to it competing in and finishing third in Race 6 at Bunbury on 9 March 2024.
After hearing evidence from Mr Fiore, Managing Owner Mr J Warwick, ChemCentre representative Dr A Nolan, RWWA Head of Veterinary Services Dr J Medd and RWWA Investigator Mr B Bird, Mr Fiore pleaded guilty to the following charge:
Charge 1. Australian Rule of Racing 240 (2) Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at race meeting.
Particulars:
That Mr B Fiore was the licensed trainer of Filthy Habits when it was brought to race at Bunbury on 9 March 2024, where it raced in and finished third in Race 6, with the prohibited substance flunixin, being a Prohibited List B substance, detected in a pre-race blood sample taken from that gelding.
Mr Fiore was fined $5000.
Further acting under the provisions of AR 240 (1), Filthy Habits was disqualified from finishing in third placing in Race 6 at Bunbury on 9 March 2024, with placings adjusted accordingly and all relevant prize money to be returned and redistributed accordingly.
When determining penalty, stewards considered, among other things:
- Mr Fiore’s plea of guilty and personal circumstances.
- Mr Fiore’s clean record during the short period he had been licensed.
- The nature of the prohibited substance detected, namely flunixin which is an anti-inflammatory substance and a therapeutic agent.
- The intent and purpose of the Rule, which was directed to ensuring a level playing field and maintaining the necessary confidence of those supporting or involved in the racing industry.
- Precedence in past cases.