Gray Area

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Johannesburg on 21 December 2011, Trainer St John Gray was charged with a contravention of Rule 73.2.4 in that he was the Trainer and the person responsible for the horse STAR BRITE, who ran in and won the 3rd race at the Vaal Racecourse on 13 October 2011, after which a urine specimen taken from this horse disclosed upon analysis the presence of Probenecid, which is a prohibited substance in terms of the Rules of The National Horseracing Authority.

Mr Gray pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty of the charge. The Inquiry Board imposed a fine of R40 000.

Mr Gray has the right of appeal against the penalty imposed.

Furthermore, in terms of Rule 72.3.2 STAR BRITE is disqualified from this race and the stake monies are to be returned for re-distribution in terms of Rule 67.7.8.

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Wikipedia

It is primarily used in treating gout and hyperuricemia. Probenecid was developed as an alternative to caronamide.[1] Their primary goal was to competitively inhibit renal excretion of some drugs, thereby increasing their plasma concentration and prolonging their effects. Probenecid was used to extend limited supplies of penicillin,[2] and is still currently used to increase antibiotic concentrations in serious infections. In one study, probenecid was shown to more than double blood concentrations of oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu), an antiviral drug used to combat influenza, suggesting that this property applies to antivirals as well.[3] It has also found use as a masking agent.[4]

Hardly a drug that is going to increase performance or affect a horse from producing when it goes to stud. Probenacid is primalary used to stimulate uric acid production and used in conjuction with penicillin to increase the serum dosage without increasing penicillin dosage. This combination is mainly used to treat urinary tract or kidney infections.

] It has also found use as a masking agent.[4]
Muhti do you have any view on this? (i say again I'm no chemist so this is a genuine question)

What reason did Mr Gray give for using this drug?

This masking agent term is a bit of a misnomer...just like Lasix is termed too, they mask nothing, if anything they are simple diuretics that are designed to purge the endochrine system. Lasix is fast acting and best purging agent to speed up flushing out the urinary tract and by doing so will excrete other possible chemical concoctions. Probenecid on the other hand has diuretic properties but used inconjuction with penicillin and other amoxicillins to extend antibiotc properties and then flush the urinary tract. I do not know if a trainer has to give a reason in an enquiry.

thanks M, perhaps trainers should give reasons why they gave meds - I'm sure in many cases the explaination would help the image of the game

No change on Lasix policy for Breeders' Cup
 
BY JAMES BURN 10:00AM 28 FEB 2012
 
USA: Breeders' Cup officials are not planning any changes to their medication policy for this year's championships at Santa Anita, despite the American Graded Stakes Committee (AGSC) reversing its decision to ban Lasix for juvenile graded races last week.

The five two-year-old races at this year's Breeders' Cup will be Lasix-free, with plans in place to extend that to all 15 contests at the meeting in 2013.

The directive was initially supported by the AGSC last August, but opposition from horsemen has forced a rethink, although the Breeders' Cup is committed to its original plans.

"We are not planning any changes to our medication policy for the 2012 Breeders' Cup," said spokesman Jim Gluckson, speaking to the Daily Racing Form.

Lasix, the trade name for Furosemide, is used to treat internal bleeding in the lungs of horses.

hibs i am the original fixer. Not sure who is also using the same name. I have not written anything to ABC as yet.Please advise

F1XER registered 4 months ago
fixer 2 months ago

nothing sinister...