Racing: Trainer faces drugs charge

File photo / Daily Post

A prominent horse trainer is facing a drugs charge after a racehorse which is part owned by Chief Justice Sian Elias tested positive for a banned drug after winning its debut race.

Fireside tested positive for ketoprofen after taking out a $5000 race in Matamata last month.

Matamata-based Andrew Scott has been charged with failing to present Fireside at the Matamata races free of ketoprofen and a hearing is set down for Hamilton's Te Rapa Racecourse on Monday, the Waikato Times reported.

While horses are allowed to be administered the drug for musculoskeletal pain, joint problems and soft tissue injury, the drug is not allowed to be administered leading up to a race.

Fireside's owners also include Dame Sian's husband, businessman Hugh Fletcher, and former champion jockey Lance' O'Sullivan's wife Bridgette.

In 2003 Scott was fined $5000 and ordered to pay costs of $1600 for bringing the image of racing into disrepute and he was disqualified for six months in 2005 for creating a false document and supplying false information about his horse.

- NZPA