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...
Opportunities Present as Latest Magic Millions Digital Sale Opens
Bidding is now open the latest Magic Millions Digital Sale (27 February-4 March) with great opportunities across all ages and categories.
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.
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.
Home Affairs Stakes Quinella – Gin Twist / La Gitana
The $175,000 Listed VRC TAB We’re On Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday always looked as though Home Affairs would play a big hand in the finish and that was the case with his flying fillies Gin Twist and La Gitana filling the quinella.
Winx colt withdrawn from Easter Yearling Sale
Winx’s Snitzel colt has been withdrawn from next month’s Easter Yearling Sale.
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? 
Sires With Winners - Friday February 27
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
The Story of Surround - Best 3YO Filly Ever
The only Group I race in Australia for three year-old fillies run at less than a mile, the $750,000 Group I ATC Surround Stakes (1400m) is named in honour of the only three year-old filly to ever win a Cox Plate, so who was she?
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.
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.