Another bute positive in Victoria

Brad Waters - Tuesday September 12

Racing Victoria stewards have confirmed another positive test for an anti-inflammatory drug in samples taken from a horse that competed at Sandown in July.

Advertisement
Photo: Darryl Sherer

Trainers Darren Weir, Henry Dwyer and Simon Morrish have been charged after horses from those stables tested positive to Phenylbutazone and its metabolite Oxyphenbutazone at the Burrumbeet trials in August.

Geelong trainer Kelvin Bourke also faces a stewards' investigation after Can't Refuse tested positive to the drug after its unplaced run in the Le Pine Funerals Handicap (1800m) at Sandown on July 26.

Stewards advised Bourke of the initial results of analysis of blood and urine samples on August 31 before notifying the trainer of the confirmatory results on Monday.

The investigation is continuing.

Advertisment
More Reading...
People at Premier - Off The Bit Thursday
Thursday inspections at Inglis Melbourne Premier have ramped up with vendors reporting “run off our feet” and Maree McEwan has been around talking with the major players, including one farm that’s first-up from a 10 year spell.
Kingsclere seeking another Derby with Ocean Park Filly
Kingsclere Stables have an exciting week ahead of them, with promising mare She’s A Dealer shooting for black-type at Trentham on Sunday, while six days later the Cambridge barn will hold a strong hand in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).
Anamoe Breeding Right Sold for $450,000
The Inglis Digital February (late) Sale that concluded on Wednesday has a new top lot with Inglis announcing a breeding right to Anamoe has now been sold.
Miss Icelandic Another Inglis Digital Stakes Success Story
Bought as a tried racemare through the 2024 Inglis Digital December Sale for $50,000, six year-old Deep Field mare Miss Icelandic scored her first stakes win on Friday night when leading all the way to win the $175,000 Listed Abell Stakes (1200m) at Cranbourne.
First Winner for Tiger of Malay
Newgate Farm is home to champion sire Extreme Choice and also his promising young sire son Tiger of Malay, who broke the ice with his first winner at Canterbury on Friday night.
Breeding to Win - 2026 G1 Surround Stakes
The $750,000 Group I ATC Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday brings together the best three year old fillies in Australia, so who are the top chances? 
Timing is Everything - Newhaven Park Present Streisand Half-Brother
When entries were taken for the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale last year a colt by Star Witness from Zouper Star was hardly seen as a standout offering, but events of the last six months will have this youngster as one of the must inspect horses of the sale.
Premier Power On Show For Blue Gum Farm
With a significant draft of 33 yearlings set to sell at this year’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Blue Gum Farm’s tried and tested path of supporting their local sale continues to pay dividends with a host of stakes-winning graduates off the farm as well as numerous Leading Vendor titles over the years.
One to Watch – Canterbury
Extreme Choice was a brilliant sprinter and has thrown his share of brilliant sprinters, but as with great champion sires of the past, he can also get a stayer such as Melbourne Cup hero Knight’s Choice and VRC Oaks winner She’s Extreme.
Fast Track 2026/27 Launches Nationally: Applications Now Open
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) has officially launched applications for the 2026/27 Fast Track program — a nationally recognised traineeship designed to build the next generation of thoroughbred breeding professionals.