Waller fined $50,000 after Cup horse scratched for race-day liniment
Trainer Chris Waller fined $50,000 after stewards scratched his Melbourne Cup contender Asterix for unauthorised treatment applied on race day.
Sydney-based trainer Chris Waller has been fined $50,000 after his Cup contender Asterix was scratched by stewards on Tuesday morning. The horse had Penetrene, a common muscle liniment, applied to both forelegs just hours before the $10 million Flemington race.
While the product is normally allowed during training, no treatments are permitted on race day. Waller said his stablehand applied it as part of the horse's routine care, with no attempt to hide it.
Racing Victoria's chief steward accepted it was an honest mistake but noted the serious breach. The withdrawal left Waller with only one remaining Cup runner.
- $50,000
- Fine amount
- $10 million
- Race prize pool
- Eight-year-old gelding
- Horse age
- $51
- Betting odds when scratched
Why it mattersThe strict rule reinforces racing's anti-doping standards at major events and shows how even accidental breaches carry heavy penalties for trainers.
AustraliaThe incident unfolded during Australia's most famous horse race, affecting a local trainer and horse racing at the sport's highest profile event.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
