BY TERRY BUTTS of the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER

THE appeal by trainer Tony Bita against his $3000 fine for use of the drug Prednisone has been adjourned until March 7.

The appeal was to have been heard last week by QCAT, but according to senior Racing Queensland steward Darren Aurisch it was aborted after notification that late evidence was to be presented by the appellant.

“We needed more time to study and obtain expert opinion on this new evidence so we called for an adjournment,” said Mr Aurisch.

He stressed however that RQ stewards still planned to proceed with their enquiries into  six other cases of positive swabs to the drug that is widely used to suppress pain in humans and commonly used by asthmatic patients.

Some of the positive swabs in Queensland date back to last year .The respective trainers in Rockhampton (2), Mt Isa, Mackay and the Tablelands has all been notified but as yet no formal charges have been laid.

However Mr Aurich said Stewards would be procueeding irrespective of the outcome of the Bita appeal which may not now be heard until early March.

The late evidence being produced by Bita is believed to relate to an overseas Veterinary study which allegedly indicates that horses produce the drug  naturally.

Currently there is a zero tolerance for Prednisone in Australia whlle in some other jurisdictions threshold limits apply similar to that used in sodium bicarbonate testing in this country. 

THERE is no 'SILKS & SADDLES' COLUMN by TERRY BUTTS while the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER IS IN RECESS OVER CHRISTMAS.