Yearling tests positive to anabolic steroids

Queensland chief steward Wade Birch said 20 per cent of the yearlings at the Magic Millions sales had been tested. Source: News Limited

A YEARLING sold at last month's Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast has tested positive to anabolic steroids.

It is the first case in Australia of a yearling being sold with illegal steroids since the Australian Racing Board introduced a total ban of anabolic steroids in May last year.

Queensland stewards decided to random test yearlings at the sale after concerns by trainers that they could buy in good faith, discover drugs in the yearling and be penalised through no fault of their own.

Any horse detected with anabolic steroids is barred from racing for 12 months and the penalty for administering them is a minimum two-year ban.

Queensland chief steward Wade Birch said 20 per cent of the yearlings at the Magic Millions sales had been tested, mainly at the request of purchasers.

"We took samples of 122 yearlings and only one came back positive,'' Birch said.

"We will know more in a week after we have the sample processed by analysts and find out who the perpetrators are."

Birch said the sales company and the vendor were on notice.

"We will continue to test at Queensland sales, as I am sure will be done at every sale now,'' he said.

"It is not compulsory for yearlings to be tested and we believe that 20 per cent of the herd gives us a good cross-section and an understanding of the compliance or otherwise of the rule."

A leading Victorian trainer bought the yearling but intends to return it rather than run the risk of it not being able to race for 12 months, or that it is tested again and he is unfairly connected with drug use.

Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey said it was a given that stewards would random test for steroids at yearling sales.

"We will be (sample testing) at the Inglis sales coming up," he said.

"You cannot hold the trainer responsible because he is buying blind. I think it goes back to who is responsible (for providing the anabolic steroids) — the sales company or the vendor."

Trainers, notably Anthony Cummings and Gai Waterhouse, have been vocal in their quest for all yearlings to be tested pre-sale for anabolic steroids.

Cummings, head of the NSW Trainers' Association, said it was incongruous that trainers could face severe penalties if they unknowingly bought a yearling that had been given an anabolic steroid before being offered for sale.

"That can put a trainer's licence at risk because derivatives of anabolics can remain in a horse's system for 12 months or more," Cummings said last year when he led the campaign for pre-sale testing.

"That means if a horse tests positive to an anabolic steroid post-sale, the unknowing trainer can be banned for up to two years.

"Every horse should be swabbed at the sales and the samples tested at the cost of the breeder or sales company."

Waterhouse said "if steroids are banned in racing, they should be banned in yearlings" and all yearlings should be drug tested so trainers were not risking their livelihood "after paying huge amounts of money for the best yearlings in Australia".

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Buzz: NFL star ‘Tha Monstar’ eyes NRL

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JESSE Williams, the Aussie who plays for defending Super Bowl champions the Seattle Seahawks, has not ruled out doing the opposite to Jarryd Hayne and having a crack one day at the NRL.

This 140kg, 24-year-old monster plays as a defensive tackle for the Seahawks but sadly has been sidelined with a knee injury for consecutive Super Bowls.

On Monday, he could amazingly become the owner of his second title ring — the most cherished prize in American sport — without ever playing an NFL game — let alone one of the deciders.

Seattle Seahawks star Jesse Williams has not ruled out playing NRL. Source: Getty Images

For several days your columnist has been trying to get an interview through the Seattle Seahawks media department with the former Brisbane schoolboy and youngster who grew up playing rugby league.

After having absolutely no luck, I bumped into the big man among nearly 2000 partygoers at the seriously flash ESPN party on Saturday night in a room full of supermodels, business tycoons and former NFL legends.

This guy could so easily have become the next Shane Webcke, Matt Scott or any of the great front-rowers the Maroons have produced over the years.

His nickname in the NFL is "Tha Monstar". He has freakish strength and speed, capable of doing a 270kg bench press and sprinting 40 yards in under five seconds.

Imagine that power in the Cronulla Sharks front-row.

Jesse Williams with the Maroons Origin team. Source: News Limited

He is a huge young man with as many tattoos as Todd Carney and Josh Dugan combined. We chat for several minutes (he's much more polite than the above duo) and I pose the question about having a crack at NRL one day.

"I still have more I want to do here," he says, "but it's something I've thought about for later in my career.

"You never know what might happen. Would I like to play Origin? Oh yeah."

Williams follows rugby league closely.

During the NFL off-season he spends time back in Australia and attends as many Broncos games as he can.

Asked about Jarryd Hayne's chances of making it over here, he was like the professionally media-trained NFL star you expect, very guarded with his answers.

"It's going to be difficult because he's never done it before," Williams said. "I started playing when I was at school in Brisbane but good luck to him for having a go."

As for his own career, you get a glimpse of his attitude and determination from a Twitter post when he was injured and ruled out of his second Super Bowl.

"You'll Never Find a Better Sparring Partner Than Adversity#WarriorNotAWorrier."

This morning (Sydney time) he'll be at the University of Phoenix Stadium among 70-odd thousand fans to cheer for a Seahawks victory.

In future years he wants to be out there himself.

And then maybe, one day, back to Australia for a crack at NRL and an Origin showdown in his home town.

Seattle Seahawks star Jesse Williams has not ruled out playing NRL. Source: Getty Images

BROWN'S BRILLIANT (BUT NRL SAID NOT GOOD ENOUGH)

MICHAEL Brown used to be second-in-charge at Cricket Australia before he was poached by soccer officials to become chief executive of the Asian Cup.

He has just put on one of the best sporting tournaments this country has ever staged, with crowd figures and gate-takings doubling expectations and what was budgeted for.

Now to the point. Last year, when the very capable Jim Doyle quit as Dave Smith's 2IC at the NRL, Brown was interviewed for the position but turned away because he wasn't considered good enough.

Suzanne Young, someone with no sports administration experience, got the gig instead.

Now that will do me.

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***

I HAVE been writing for years that if rugby league players were animals, you would report the NRL to the RSPCA over the cruel and brutal scheduling of games.

And every year nothing has been done about it.

In fact, the opposite has happened. Some genius decided three teams, instead of one, should spend 48 hours on a plane on the eve of the season kick-off to go to England and back for World Club challenge games that no-one cares about.

So 60 players — instead of 20 — are now subjected to this ridiculously demanding pre-season, combined with the Nines, the All Stars and the trials, before 26 premiership rounds, a month of finals, three State of Origins and a Test.

Talk about overkill. Last year even our Kangaroos jersey was cheapened by the absence of so many superstars who just physically could not lace on their boots for another month of Four Nations football.

Over here, where I'm covering the Super Bowl, the NFL season starts its season in September and finishes in February — less than five months.

The shorter season (16 games) ensures every match and every event is a hot-ticket item. Stadiums are sold out years in advance because there are only eight home games.

More importantly, there is not the burnout issue and player welfare is taken far more seriously.

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THE HIGHLIGHT

THE Socceroos winning the Asian Cup. This side has improved remarkably since the World Cup, albeit against weaker opposition. With the Kangaroos and Wallabies struggling, the Socceroos have at least restored national pride in the green and gold footy codes.

THE LOWLIGHT

MISSING the Sharks and their fantastic performances to push premiers South Sydney to extra time in the final of the Auckland Nines. #Holt #Kingwan

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SWING AND MISS

ROBERT Allenby can be a prickly character. We are both in Phoenix and we've been communicating via text message (he refuses to answer his mobile.)

I offered him the opportunity to give an unedited version of his recent assault, abduction and the $4000 strip club bill in Honolulu.

This was our final exchange after his promising first round at the Open.

Buzz: Great round mate. 5 shots off the speed. Surely you're up for a chat.

Allenby: There's no chat!!! Please don't text me again.

DOLLARS V SENSE

WITH the signing of Shane Richardson, the NRL now has 10 employees in senior management roles earning annual salaries of close to $500,000 or more. At the same time we're paying millions to an outside promoter to stage the Auckland Nines.

SALARY SOARS

COMPARED to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, I guess it's not too bad. Goodell, who has been under the pump for much of the NFL season, has an annual salary of $44 million — and that is in US dollars.

Phil Rothfield travelled to Arizona courtesy of ESPN.

SUPER BOWL XLIX: Live on ESPN from 10am

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Willie denies misbehaving in Auckland

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WILLIE Mason has given his version of events that has led to the Manly Sea Eagles forward being investigated for alleged anti-social behaviour, saying "there was nothing in it".

The 34-year-old was thrust back into the spotlight yesterday when the Sea Eagles issued a statement, claiming Mason was under review by the club and the NRL Integrity Unit following an incident in Auckland.

Mason travelled to New Zealand as a guest of tournament organisers Duco and played no on-field role with his new club the Sea Eagles during the NRL Auckland Nines tournament.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Mason said that it was after conducting a promotional engagement at last Saturday's Nines tournament he engaged in a jovial scuffle with his younger brother, Les Mason.

"I did have a wrestle with my brother Les when I was leaving Eden Park, but that was just a brotherly wrestle and there was nothing in it," Mason said.

Willie Mason denies being involved in an anti-social incident. Picture: Bradley Hunter Source: News Corp Australia

"I then left the ground and went straight to the Pullman Hotel.

"I was in bed by midnight."

The Daily Telegraph has learned that the NRL had questioned if a woman was involved and that police had been informed.

Mason said: "I would never do that.

"I haven't heard from anyone at the NRL about any incident and I haven't heard from the police either.

"I was with Geoff Toovey and Steve Gigg on Sunday night after the nines and they didn't say anything about an investigation from the NRL.

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"Toovs did ask me if I had a wrestle with my brother and I said yes, but there was nothing in it.

"But they didn't say anything about the NRL investigating."

A frustrated Mason flew home with the Sea Eagles squad on Monday confident that he would be cleared of any wrongdoing.

In a statement on Saturday night, the Sea Eagles said: "The club has been made aware of the alleged anti-social behaviour of Willie Mason at the NRL Auckland Nines over the weekend.

"Although not part of the Sea Eagles NRL Auckland Nines squad, Mason is still a representative of the club and as such, the matter will be reviewed internally before offering any further comment.

"The NRL Integrity Unit is also aware of the matter."

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Drop in foals puts system under stress

Popular Pierro worked his way through 220 mares in his second year at stud. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

WITH the number of foals bred in Australia continuing to decline, at what point will the current demand for 'product' be unable to be met?

The number of live foals born in Australia in the past five years has decreased by nearly 3000. In the 18 years prior, dating back to 1992, it only fell by 3237.

So clearly, there's a downward trend.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. A higher percentage of the foal crop is now more commercially viable. It's the same scenario with the reduction in commercial stallions.

But at what point does it start to apply stress to racing numbers and as a result field sizes?

Hong Kong is regarded as the racing mecca of the world, with just two meetings a week (and a welcome end of season break) where punters bet up vigorously on horses they are very familiar with.

Australia is a totally different scenario, where the industry employs thousands more people and is run right around the country.

We race every day of the year bar Good Friday and Christmas Day owing to TAB demands for more 'product'.

Most of it is not appealing product. It's just a blur of wall to wall racing, which has the effect of detracting from the very best meetings.

Principal Racing Authorities are tied into contracts demanding that product quota is met.

Over the Christmas period, we saw the elastic band stretched to its limit, with small fields and numerous cancelled races.

With a shrinking foal crop, this will continue to be the case unless some rationalisation comes into the racing program.

# Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente was among the busiest stallions in Australia last year, working his way through a book of 186 mares.

Not bad, but the effort saw him clock in only seventh on the list of most prolific coverers.

Pierro, in his second year at stud, topped the pops at 220. Snitzel (214), I Am Invincible (211) and Smart Missile (210) also notched double tons.

As an indicator of how the landscape has changed, the busiest stallion 20 years earlier was Danehill, who covered 'just' 127 mares in 1994.

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Queensland racing can fend for itself

Eagle Farm Race track will be out of action for the best part of the year while the track is fixed up. Source: Sarah Marshall / News Corp Australia

IF Labor form government it will be interesting to see where racing fits into its platform and if they deem any changes are necessary for the industry.

Unlike three years ago, racing was not an issue during this election campaign and Labor made no policy announcements in respect to the industry.

There was naturally some anxiety among racing participants yesterday morning after the events of Saturday night.

Are the prizemoney increases in jeopardy? Will Eagle Farm and other developments proceed? Will it affect the nature of the TattsBet deal? Will there be a change in administration?

The prizemoney is locked in stone, as is the TattsBet deal. Eagle Farm is effectively a loan from Racing Queensland to the BRC, so it would be difficult for a government to derail it. Other racecourse projects are part of the Industry Infrastructure Fund, which was set up by the previous Labor Government, so again, they should proceed.

As for the future of the current Racing Queensland administration, that will be up to whoever forms government.

Given racing wasn't relevant in the election, you would assume another shake-up would be some way down the list of priorities, but given the bloodletting three years ago, some may have scores to settle.

Even RQ's harshest critics would have to concede racing is in a far better place than it was three years ago.

With metropolitan prizemoney not far off southern levels and feature prizemoney receiving a much needed lift, Queensland racing is once again relevant on the national stage.

But the anxiety of participants following the election result is also an indicator that racing is tied too closely to politics.

The industry shouldn't be at the mercy of an election result every three years.

With a long term deal to fund the industry in place, racing is well placed to be relieved of the shackles of government and fend for itself.

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Djokovic claims record fifth title

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NOVAK Djokovic has overcome mystery illness, a mid-match court invasion by protesters and Andy Murray's stubbornness to seal Australian Open history.

No man has won more Melbourne Park titles than the Serb, whose fifth crown materialised in extraordinary fashion against perennial runner-up Murray.

And few have done it in more bizarre circumstances as Djokovic claimed his eighth major overall 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-0.

Struggling for balance and coordination while battling illness, Djokovic condemned Murray to his fourth defeat in an Australian Open decider.

Novak Djokovic looks towards his entourage for inspiration. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

Watched by Australian sports greats Adam Scott, Sally Pearson, Ken Rosewall, Frank Sedgman, Margaret Court, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Neale Fraser and Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, Djokovic was mentally superior.

But his exaggerated physical struggles prompted debate over the legitimacy of his problems.

Murray praised Djokovic generously afterwards.

"Firstly I'd like to congratulate Novak on his fifth Australian Open title," the Scot said.

"It's an incredible record, thoroughly deserved.

"I'll try and come back next year and have a slightly different outcome in the final."

Murray has now lost six of eight grand slam finals, the 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon victories being exceptions.

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Djokovic credited his support crew, headed by Boris Becker, as he joined Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Fred Perry and Ken Rosewall on eight majors overall.

"They sacrifice their lives in order for me to be out here. Without their support, this wouldn't be possible."

"I want to congratulate Andy for a great tournament."

Djokovic's theatrics aside, he was too tough.

He weathered Murray's physicality and tenacity in a match featuring 14 service breaks, refusing to panic as a peculiar match unfolded.

Just as Serena Williams overcame adversity against Maria Sharapova on Saturday night, Djokovic willed himself into second place overall on the Australian honour roll behind Roy Emerson (six titles).

Andy Murray reacts to a Novak Djokovic winner. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

When it was finished, Djokovic cast a glance skywards in tribute to his former coach Jelena Gencic and hurled his racquet into the crowd.

Not even the security breach at 4-3 in the second set, drunken sailor movement nor Murray's grit were sufficient to stop the world champion.

Similarly, the serving crisis which had him trailing 0-2 early in the third set had little impact on Djokovic's resolve.

Instead, against the pattern of a suffocating tight contest over the first two sets, Djokovic reeled off 12 of the last 13 games to destroy Murray.

Djokovic's body language ranged from supremely positive to uncoordinated as he struggled with the mystery affliction.

He struggled for breath between points, occasionally losing footing as his knees buckled amid speculation he was suffering a relapse of a virus.

Novak Djokovic celebrates his victory. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: News Corp Australia

In the end it did not matter.

He was simply too tough, too resourceful - and too good.

He took 72 minutes to win the first set and 80 minutes to lose the second bracket.

The third and fourth sets occupied just 67 minutes.

An hour before the match, Djokovic's coach Boris Becker said: "Let's do this."

Initially, Djokovic produced "statement tennis" to dominate the first five games.

But from a posiition of overwhelming strength, he wobbled dramatically as Murray counter-attacked.

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From there until early in the third set, this was a contest of gripping baseline attrition.

In the end, it was a rout as Murray imploded.

Ahead 2-0 in the third, Murray seemed distracted by Djokovic's body language telling himself "don't worry about it" - only to lose serve. And six of the next seven games.

"So many times. How can you do it to yourself, how?" Murray roared at himself.

Against the odds, Djokovic then surged away to lift the Norman Brookes Cup for the fifth time - 2008, 2011,'12, '13 and '15.

The Serb collected $3.1 million and extends his lead at the head of the rankings.

Murray rises to No 4 and earned $1.55 million.

TWISTS: ODD FINAL A COMPELLING WAR OF ATTRITION

EXPLICIT: MURRAY FIANCEE'S SHIRT WOWS THE CROWD

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Murray’s fiancee wears perfect shirt

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HER fiance Andy Murray may be as boring as you know what, but Kim Sears is proving a hit after wearing a hilarious shirt, just days after her foul-mouthed spray went viral.

Sears appeared in the stands during Murray's Australian Open final on Sunday night against Novak Djokovic wearing a black shirt with the words, "PARENTAL ADVISORY. EXPLICIT LANGUAGE."

Kim Sears is our new hero. Photo: Scott Barbour. Source: Getty Images

The glamorous 27-year-old Brit made headlines around the world on Friday after she was filmed appearing to say: "F***ing have that you Czech flash f***" towards world No. 7 Tomas Berdych during Murray's tense semi-final victory.

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OPINION: Why we should cut Kim Sears some slack

Her father, Nigel Sears, joked afterwards his daughter "always had a potty mouth — gets it from her mother of course".

Her awesome shirt had the Twitterati in a spin on Sunday night:

Meanwhile, you can catch all the on-court action from the Australian Open men's final here.

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Cadel edged out in cycling farewell

Belgian Gianni Meersman beats home Australia's Simon Clarke in a sprint finish of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Source: Stuart CAS Walmsley / News Corp Australia

CADEL Evans admitted to frustration after cramping in the last few hundred metres of his farewell race yesterday _ but he still retired on a high note with an impressive fifth place.

And the new international one-day event named after him - the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road race - was a huge success and now seems certain to become a permanent part of Victoria's major sport calendar.

Belgian star Gianni Meersman, 24, of the Extixx-Quick Step team, prevailed in a sprint finish over Australians Simon Clarke (Orica-GreenEDGE) and Nathan Haas (Cannondale-Garmin), England's Luke Rowe (SKY) and Evans.

Conditions weren't easy early for riders in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Source: News Corp Australia

Evans was not far away - all were given the same time of four hours 15.22 minutes for the 173.9 journey, which was marred by persistent rain in the early stages, resulting in several multiple crashes.

Only 54 of the 115 starters made it to the finish but no-one was badly hurt.

"I'm frustrated I didn't go better in the sprint, to be honest," Evans, 37, said after bringing his 20 year career as a professional road race to an emotional close.

Julie Torney (Jan Juc), Jane Wright and Paul O'Driscoll (Anglesea) farewell the champ on the climb after Bells Beach. Source: News Corp Australia

"The competitive spirit is what drives me but I had to remind myself that it was also important to enjoy it."

Many thousands of spectators cheered Australia's only Tour de France winner and road race world champion along the route, especially when the race passed through beach resort Barwon Heads, where he has a home.

Evans, who was also an organiser and promoter, said it was an encouraging step towards the goal of establishing tyhe race as a part of the World Tour, the sport's most elite level.

Cadel and his BMC teammates travel through his home town of Barwon Heads. Picture: Glenn Ferguson Source: News Corp Australia

"The intensity of the racing - it was raced like a world championship - was incredible, so we'll see what the future holds," he said.

"I'd like to think it could be around for 20, 30 or 50 years."

Clarke's powerful performance was an ideal preparation for this week's Herald Sun Tour, in which he will be the defending champion.

It begins with a twilight prologue in the Southbank nightlife precinct on Wednesday and finishes at Arthurs Seat on the Mornington Peninsula on Sunday.

ron.reed@news.com.au

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