Trainer Nick Ryan has been charged by stewards with alleged possession of a banned substance and both his runners have been withdrawn from the Derby Day meeting at Flemington.
Anglais, set to run in the Wakeful Stakes, and Doubt Time, in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, were both scratched around 12pm.
Racing Victoria stewards later revealed they have opened an inquiry after the discovery of two syringes containing Darbepoetin Alfa in the glove box of Ryan’s car during an inspection on Saturday morning.
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Ryan was charged with a breach of AR 250 (a), which prohibits possession of a banned substance.
“Racing Victoria stewards today opened an inquiry following a report from Mr Rhys Melville (Racing Victoria – Manager Compliance Assurance Team) that, while conducting an inspection of trainer Mr Nick Ryan’s stables at Flemington racecourse this morning, a prohibited substance was found in Mr Ryan’s possession,” stewards said.
“Ryan was found to have in his possession, in the glove box of his motor vehicle, two syringes of Darbepoetin Alfa which is a prohibited substance under Prohibited List A of the Australian Rules of Racing.”
Darbepoetin Alfa increases the blood’s oxygen carrying capacity, which significantly boosts their endurance.
Stewards announced their findings after hearing evidence from Ryan, the compliance assurance team and Racing Victoria vet Dr Edwina Wilkes.
Ryan reserved his plea to the charge before the hearing was adjourned until Monday.
Given the seriousness of the charge, stewards immediately ordered the withdrawal of his two runners.
Ryan is a former champion jockey who has trained 275 winners since securing his licence in NSW in 2014.
