The National Horseracing Authority confirms that an Inquiry was held in Johannesburg on 27 March 2013, where Trainer Mr L J Erasmus was charged with a contravention of Rule 73.2.4.
MrErasmus was the person responsible for the horse SMART ROYAL, which ran in the 5th race run at the Vaal Racecourse on 11 December 2012, after which a urine specimen taken from that horse disclosed upon analysis the presence of Probenecid, which is a prohibited substance in terms of the Rules of The National Horseracing Authority.
Mr Erasmus pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Inquiry Board found him guilty of the charge and after having taken into consideration mitigating factors, imposed a penalty of a fine of R45 000.00, of which R20 000.00 is wholly suspended for a period of two years on condition that he is not found guilty of an offence in terms of Rule 73.2.4 during that period.
Mr Erasmus has the right of appeal against both the finding and the penalty imposed.
Furthermore, in terms of Rule 72.3.2 SMART ROYAL is disqualified from the 5th Race run at the Vaal Racecourse on 11 December 2012 and the conditions of Rule 67.7.8 apply.
