Racing: Blue magic trainer 'guilty'

Canterbury race horse trainer Nigel McGrath and two of his workers were yesterday found guilty of doping offences by racing's Judicial Control Authority.

McGrath, of West Melton, was found guilty of three charges of administering propantheline bromide to horses before racing.

The drug is an ingredient of the mysterious substance "blue magic", which is said to enhance horse performance.

Jamie Keast and Phil Burrows, who work for McGrath, were found guilty of negligence.

McGrath's stables were raided on May 6, after which he made a statement to the police, the inquiry was told.

He told Detective John Borlase of Hornby police that he had learned of a secret horse stomach-ulcer treatment from a conversation in a Californian bar when he worked there six years ago.

McGrath said it improved the performance of his horses, but he never considered it illegal.

He would crush the propantheline bromide tablets and mix the powder with "humidimix", a powder diluted to a liquid used to replace salts lost when horses exercise.

McGrath said he tried diluting the tablets with water and injecting it into the vein, and by syringing it down the throat, but it did not have the same effect.

He said mixing it with humidimix was more beneficial and improved the appetite of horses.

McGrath said he believed 80 per cent of horses suffered from stomach ulcers and he tried his own mix because ulcer treatment from veterinarians was very expensive.

He had told "absolutely no one" about it.

He wanted to keep it secret because every trainer wanted to get an edge on others.

McGrath admitted he had used it for the Past two years, "maybe longer".

It was usually given to new horses to the stable, or as a "pick me up" to those who did not have a good appetite.

McGrath said doctors and chemists he had asked could offer him no reason it would be illegal.

When questioned by police whether he knew Robert Asquith, a key figure in blue magic inquiries in New Zealand and Australia, McGrath said he had driven a horse for him years ago.

He said he was aware Asquith had lived in Australia for a time, and the last time he had seen him had been at a yearling sale in Christchurch (in February) when they acknowledged each other.

He was not aware of "the blue thing" until stories appeared in newspapers.

McGrath said he never received a substance of any kind from Asquith, who died suddenly on July 20.

BLUE MAGIC

* Nigel McGrath found guilty of three charges of administering propantheline bromide to horses.

* The drug is an ingredient in blue magic.

* Jamie Keast and Phil Burrows, who work for McGrath, were found guilty of negligence.

- NZPA