Three Ballarat track riders suspended by stewards after failing drug tests

All three riders Samuel Payne, Selim Agbal and Nicole McKechnie pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR139(1)(a) having provided a sample of urine, which was found on analysis to contain a banned substance at Ballarat trackwork on March 15 this year.

Payne received the heaviest penalty of the three with his licence to ride in races suspended for a period of six months, to commence March 24, 2021, the date on which he was stood down from all riding and horse handling duties, and to conclude at midnight on September 24, 2021.

Agbal's licence to ride trackwork was suspended for a period of four months, to commence March 24, 2021, the date on which he was stood down from all riding and horse handling duties, and to conclude at midnight on July 24 2021.

McKechnie's licence to ride trackwork was suspended for a period of six weeks, to commence March 24, 2021, the date on which she was stood down from all riding and horse handling duties, and to conclude at midnight on May 5, 2021. In assessing the suspensions, Racing Victoria stewards said they took into account the pleas of the riders, forthright evidence and record.

All three will be permitted to resume horse handling duties and trackwork once they have "provided a sample that is clear of any banned substance under AR136(1)" stewards said.

In all, six Ballarat track riders have been stood down, with another three awaiting further test results.

Ballarat Turf Club chief executive Belinda Glass told The Courier last week that the stand downs would have a broad impact on the racing community.

"It is a disappointing position to be in," she said.

"It obviously does put pressure on our stables because we had a shortage of track riders before this incident.

"It's just unfortunate the pressure that it puts on our staff. It puts a lot of pressure on the whole industry and quite a lot of our trainers right from the small trainers to the bigger stables.

Racing Victoria chief steward Robert Cram told RSN927 that random drug testing was common but Ballarat's results were a "disappointing" spike.

Racing Victoria confirmed all riders were advised of various support services that were available to them.