Trainer Dermot Weld told Racing Post he may appeal the €1,000 fine he received after a filly under his care, Va Pensiero (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), tested positive for a local anaesthetic–a metabolite of Lidocaine–after winning a rated race at Dundalk May 13.
Weld said at a hearing Wednesday that he had never given, or ordered to be given, the 3-year-old Moyglare Stud homebred any medication.
“I'm completely baffled by the whole business and I'm seriously considering appealing the fine. That's all I have to say on the matter,” Weld told Racing Post.
Dr. Thomas Barragry noted at the hearing that the levels of medication in Va Pensiero's system were very high. Weld's veterinarian, Joe O'Donnell, said the filly had never been administered any medication. Turf Club veterinary officer Andrew Tyrrell testified that Weld meticulously maintained his medications record and there was no record of any horses under his care receiving Lidocaine.
Va Pensiero was disqualified from her win.
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