Racing Victoria stewards opened an investigation into an elevated TCO2 level in a blood sample taken from Corniche before the handy sprinter ran in the Listed Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool on May 6. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Stewards announced their investigation after the reserve sample showed a TCO2 level higher than the allowed
36 millimoles per litre in plasma. It is understood the TCO2 reading was 37.1, marginally higher than the threshold. Mathrick told stewards a well-meaning lodger at his property near Cranbourne was at the centre of the issue. Mathrick allowed the man, who has no fixed address, to park his caravan in a vacant area for a few weeks. • Cumani’s plan to turn Derby loss into a win The lodger, understood to be a former stablehand, allegedly observed Corniche looking flat around the stable in
the period after his midfield effort in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington on April 18. Mathrick told stewards the lodger gave Corniche several doses of a product called Neutrolene unbeknown to him in the period between his Mornington and Warrnambool races. The widely-used Neutrolene is marketed as an equine supplement designed to neutralise lactic acid and ensure horses recover quicker from trackwork and races. Mathrick said he bought the product in 2023 but had not used it in the last couple of years.
Stewards took evidence from the lodger, who allegedly produced the cup he used to measure the doses before giving the product to Corniche. • Saving Private Eye: Pride holds fire for Stradbroke tilt The lodger said he thought Corniche was looking dull in the coat, giving the gelding the supplement that he thought would do no harm. Stewards are continuing their investigation. Corniche ran last, beaten 10 lengths, behind the smart Oliveanotherday in the Wangoom Handicap. “The horse went terrible, so it (Neutrolene) obviously didn’t
do much, did it?” Mathrick joked. Originally published as Trainer Shawn Mathrick faces stewards inquiry after act of kindness leads to elevated TCO2 reading
Corniche, Shawn Mathrick, Racing Victoria, stewards inquiry, TCO2, Wangoom Handicap, Warrnambool, Neutrolene, Oliveanotherday, Cranbourne
So Neutrolene is like doping now? That seems ridiculous.
I can’t believe it’s “marginally higher” like 37.1 vs 36 and they’re going full investigation. Also how does a lodger even have access to the horse like that? Sounds messy.
Wait, the trainer said it was an act of kindness like letting a guy park a caravan near Cranbourne??? And that same guy supposedly dosed the horse with some supplement. But if it made the horse flat and it ran last, doesn’t that mean it didn’t help? Unless the TCO2 is from stress or something, not the supplement…
This is why I don’t trust horse racing anymore. One random dude with “no fixed address” gives the horse neutrolene and suddenly it’s a blood test problem? Like, is TCO2 even a real thing or is it just another way to blame someone after the horse bombs? Also the horse was beaten 10 lengths, so why didn’t they just say it was the trainer’s fault for picking a bad race or bad training?