Trainer Out Nine Months

The Age

Saturday January 17, 2009

MICHAEL SHARKIE

THE Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board yesterday disqualified Warrnambool-based trainer Andrew Homann for nine months after he pleaded guilty to a charge of administering a prohibited substance to one of his horses.

Samples taken from Irish Way at Warrnambool racecourse on September 9 showed an elevated TCO2 reading, after an initial sample taken that morning at Homann's stables was within permitted levels.

Homann admitted giving Irish Way "two handfuls" of bicarbonate soda that morning with the horse's feed, but could not account for a spike in the TCO2 reading between the first and second sample.

The board could find no evidence of foul play and was satisfied Irish Way was given an alkalising agent, either orally or through the use of a stomach tube, some time between the first and second samples being taken that day. Homann's disqualification will begin at midnight on Friday, January 23.

© 2009 The Age

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