The Racing Stewards decided to charge trainer Shirish Narang and Stable Supervisor Selvarajen Govinda on Wednesday after hearing evidence into the reported presence of mentholatum (thermogenic) – a prohibited substance – on the horse EL PATRON on the 4th July 2021.
The Stewards await written submissions in response to the charges set against Shirish Narang and Selvarajen Govinda by no later than the 31st December 2021.
The charges were laid against Shiring Narang and Selvarajen Govinda in writing as follows:
Mr Narang was charged for a contravention of MTCSL Rule76(b), 273(b) and 274(h):
CHARGE 1:
In that as a licenced trainer and person responsible for the staff that attended EL PATRON, which raced in race 4 on Sunday the 4th July 2021, Mr Narang contravened Rule 76(b) of the MTCSL Rules of Racing by failing to take the necessary responsibility in relation to all matters pertaining to the running of his stable including the security of EL PATRON and the work of his stable staff, despite being present at the time the horse was being saddled.
The particulars of the charge being that on the 4th July 2021 Mr Narang failed to take the necessary responsibility to ensure the security of EL PATRON and the work of Mr Selvarajen Govinda, his stable employee, which resulted in an act in contravention of the MTCSL Rules of Racing.
CHARGE 2:
In that as the licenced trainer and person responsible for EL PATRON, which raced on Sunday the 4th July 2021, prior to this horse being saddled, Mr Narang contravened Rule 273(b) of the MTCSL Rules of Racing by committing an act of conspiracy with Mr Selvarajen Govinda.
The particulars of the charge being that he ordered and instructed Mr Selvarajen Govinda, his stable employee, to administer a substance other than normal feed and water by mouth to EL PATRON thereby conspiring to commit an unlawful act.
CHARGE 3:
In that as the licenced trainer appearing at an inquiry, Mr Narang contravened Rule 274(h) of the MTCSL Rules of Racing in that he gave evidence that was misleading.
The particulars of the charge being that on the 6th July 2021 Mr Narang stated that he had no knowledge of the use of mentholatum on a horse when in fact by his own admission on the 16th December 2021 he did have prior knowledge of the fact.
Mr Selvarajen Govinda was charged for a contravention of MTCSL Rule 272(h):
In that as a licensed stable employee, Mr Govinda tampered with a horse.
The particulars being that that on the 4th July 2021 prior to race 4 Mr Govinda illegally and unlawfully and without any right or permission administered a substance other than normal feed and water by mouth topically to the nostrils of EL PATRON whilst saddling the horse and in so doing, tampered with the said horse.
