Racing: Waddell banned for 14 months at P inquiry

After a routine drug test at Ellerslie at the Auckland Racing Club meeting on May 26, Environmental Science and Research (ESR) reported that a urine sample provided by Waikato jockey Jason Waddell was positive to methamphetamine (P).

A judicial committee sat at Te Rapa yesterday to hear the charge brought under Rule 656(3) of the New Zealand Rules of Racing. Waddell pleaded guilty and represented himself.

After submissions on penalty and the options open to the tribunal, in respect to a combination of both disqualification and suspension, the tribunal ruled it could not impose both, and sentenced Waddell to 14 months' disqualification. Costs of $650 were awarded to New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and $450 to the Judicial Control Authority.

The penalty was dated back to June 2, when Waddell was initially stood down.