Racing: Anti-doping squad tests patience

John Wheeler. Getty Images / Dean Purcell

Blood testing officials at yesterday's Rotorua race meeting discovered that John Wheeler's reputation as racing's straight-shooter has been well earned.

Officials requested blood samples from his runners Tahiti Gold and Phantom Peak as they were being saddled for Race 2.

"Half an hour between races and two horses in one race and these guys decide to take blood samples," a frustrated Wheeler said.

The anti-doping squad was trying to test as many horses as possible in light of chief racecourse inspector John McKenzie's claim that some members of the public suggested parts of New Zealand racing were not on the up and up.

"I told them that if they wanted blood to go for their lives, but I wasn't helping. I also said that at the end of the day we'll all be paying for the tests.

"And that if they wanted to really catch someone, go test some Australian horses.

"Over there they applaud you for trying hard. We haven't had 10 positives [charges] in New Zealand in the last 15 years - in Melbourne they've had 15 positives in the last 10 years from three trainers.

"One bloke they caught tubing a horse in the float on the way to the races and they still didn't blow him out of the water. They are still admired because they try to win."

Two weeks ago Wheeler won New Zealand's biggest jumping event, the $100,000 Sharp Great Northern Steeplechase with Real Tonic on a day when the testing procedures similarly moved away from the norm and larger numbers were tested.

"Real Tonic produced the lowest bicarbonate reading in the race and the second horse [I'manace] was the second lowest. That tells you something."

McKenzie took Wheeler into the judicial room yesterday for a chat.

"John said he thought I was being a bit tough," said Wheeler. "He's got a job to do to prove wrong those that are saying there's doping going on.

"New Zealand has the best record in that area of just about any country.

"I didn't get angry, but I was pissed off with the time factor - I was in danger of getting fined for being late in the birdcage.

"It needed to be said and I said it. I'll declare my thoughts on those matters in any forum."

Tahiti Gold finished seventh in the hurdles and Phantom Peak ninth.

Wheeler's runner Val Ewe finished third in the $25,000 Rotorua and BOP Hunt Cup behind all-the-way winner Our Front Line.

At his previous start the Central Districts visitor dropped out after leading in the Great Northern Hurdles.