Elevated TC02 leads to Sandown scratching

Racing Victoria stewards have adjourned an inquiry into an elevated TC02 reading from Observational which has ultimately led to his scratching from a stakes race at Sandown.

The John Sadler-trained gelding was withdrawn from the Group Three Eclipse Stakes at 11.50am on Saturday.

RV chief steward Terry Bailey said an out of competition testing sample taken from Observational on Friday afternoon returned an elevated reading of 36.4 mmol/per litre of blood, marginally above the threshold of 36 mmol/per litre.

“These days we have rules where it is an offence to administer any alkalising agent to any horses within one clear day of the race,” Bailey said.

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“With the level the horse was at, and the sample was confirmed at 1.31 (Friday afternoon), there was no scientific explanation to explain why it was so high.

“Under the rules these days we have had to scratch it.”

Sadler trains under the Aquanita banner at Caulfield where stewards are continuing investigations into the scratching of Lovani at Flemington last month over an alleged raceday treatment.

Bailey said inquiries into Observational’s scratching was likely to continue during the week.