Overseas analysis on Blue Danube's referee sample

An inquiry will be held into the analyst's findings of BLUE DANUBE, whose post-race samples revealed a banned substance, Betamethasone, after winning on Oct 4.

Blue Danube's sample was among 33 coded urine and 33 coded blood samples taken from the race meeting for analysis under the MRA Rules and Regulations.

On Oct 19, Clements was advised of the analyst's report and his attention was drawn to the contents of MRA Rule 137 (1) relating to the Referee Samples. He then exercised his right to have Blue Danube's referee sample sent overseas for independent analysis.

In terms of the Rules, Blue Danube could not race again until cleared by the stewards.