G1 winning trainer slapped with 13-month suspension
Group 1 winning trainer Ben Smith has been banned for 13 months, after both he and one of his horses tested positive to a banned substance.
Smith, who claimed his first group 1 with In Her Time in the Galaxy in 2018, had only returned to racing in late 2022 following an almost four year ban for cobalt offences.
But the latest ban from Racing NSW spells trouble for Smith, after they charged him with seperate offences, including the use of a banned substance while handling a horse.
Smith’s urine sample, taken on April 4, revealed he had multiple banned substances in his system. He pleaded guilty to this charge under AR140, and received year-long ban, which was reduced to nine months.
The Kembla Grange trainer also received a four month ban after a February 2 runner, Arale, tested positive for meloxicam, following a win in the Earthlight First Yearlings, Fillies and Mares Benchmark 72 at Canterbury. Arale was ultimately disqualified from the race.
Smith has indicated that he intends on appealing the ban, with it a bitter blow, considering his short time back in the hot seat.