Murphy appeals disqualification

Trainer David Murphy has appealed his six month-disqualification for positive swabs taken from two of his horses last year.

Murphy has sought an internal review and has been granted a stay pending the result of his appeal.

Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards opened an inquiry into urine samples taken from Stellarcraft at Ipswich on November 3 and Alassak at the Gold Coast on November 26.

Both samples were found to contain the prohibited substance, levamisole.

Murphy pleaded guilty to two charges of bringing a horse to race with a prohibited substance in its system

In sentencing Murphy, stewards considered his personal circumstances and the precedents regarding the substance.

Murphy was disqualified for six months and Stellarcraft and Alassak were also disqualified.

“I am appealing the severity of the sentence. It was used as a worming agent and at the time I was recovering from a fractured neck,” Murphy said.

“I was led to believe the substance wore off after seven days but apparently it was 10 days,” Murphy said.

A former champion apprentice Murphy has built up a handy team and is regarded as a rising star in Brisbane training ranks.

Tests on levamisole have shown its metabolites include banned stimulants.