A horse is scratched from race 7 at Addington Raceway. Photo: File Image
A horse has been clawed on the biggest trotting day of the year, amid allegations it was given a banned substance.
The Racing Integrity Board has announced the late scratching of Rakero Rebel from Race 7 at 3:06 PM today at Christchurch’s Addington Raceway. The race had a total stake of $140,000.
The horse is checkered according to Rule 213 (1) c of the Harness Rules. Under that rule, a steward may at any time scratch a horse out of a race or make it ineligible to start a race if the horse has been or has been given a prohibited substance.
Horses may not be given drugs on race day.
Rakero Rebel trainer Phil Burrows declined to comment to the Herald.
“I have nothing to say,” he said.
-By Sam Sherwood