Racing WA stewards today resumed the inquiry adjourned from 7 November 2024 in relation to reports received from ChemCentre in Perth and Racing Analytical Services Laboratory (VIC) advising that lignocaine was detected in the sample taken from Vevinsky following it racing in, and winning, Race 7, the XXXX Broome Cup, on 24 August 2024.
At the inquiry, further evidence was heard from Racing WA Head of Veterinary Services Dr J Medd, ChemCentre representative Dr B Dorakumbura and Officials involved in the sampling of Vevinsky at Broome on 24 August 2024. This included documents obtained during further investigations into sampling procedures, reconciliation of sampling materials and associated chain-of-custody documentation.
Trainer Kelvin Moore, represented by Mr T Percy KC acting on his behalf, and Managing Owner Mr D Archer were also present at the inquiry.
Evidence was also heard in relation to remaining portions of the sealed samples held by the ChemCentre and the potential for them to undergo further analysis for the presence of metabolites, whether metabolites were likely to be present given the reported levels of lignocaine and whether such analysis should be conducted.
The inquiry was adjourned by the stewards to consider a submission from Mr T Percy KC, on behalf of Mr Moore, for the sample to undergo additional testing to ascertain whether metabolites are present and/or able to be detected within the remaining portion of the sealed sample retained by the ChemCentre.
Stewards committed to seek information from the Official Racing Laboratories to confirm whether they can conduct such analysis on this sample, before deciding if further analysis is necessary, considering all the evidence and submissions presented to date.
The inquiry will be resumed on a date to be determined.