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Trainer Justin Warwick to face inquiry after Find The Gap tests positive to banned substance flunixin

Headshot of Ernie Manning
Ernie ManningThe West Australian
The prohibited substance flunixin was detected in a blood sample from Find The Gap, trained by Justin Warwick (right).
Camera IconThe prohibited substance flunixin was detected in a blood sample from Find The Gap, trained by Justin Warwick (right). Credit: Getty Images

Racing and Wagering WA thoroughbred stewards will open an inquiry into a positive swab from the Justin Warwick-trained Find The Gap after he won at Bunbury on December 23.

The prohibited substance flunixin, a non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory drug, was detected in a blood sample from Find The Gap.

A date has yet to be set for the inquiry, which Warwick will be required to attend.

The trainer was fined $4000 last month after flunixin was detected in a blood sample from Material Man at the Belmont Park barrier trials on November 12.

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Material Man, a $1.6 million stake-earner who won last year’s Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m), ran sixth when making his Victorian debut in last Saturday’s Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

His main Melbourne autumn mission is the $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 16.

Modern News, trained by Julie Clements, has also tested positive to flunixin.

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Stewards said they would inquire on February 21 into the reason for flunixin being detected in Modern News’ blood sample after she won at Pinjarra on December 20.

Meanwhile, trainer-reinsman Richard Sheridan has received a two-year disqualification for misconduct in a stewards’ inquiry at Bunbury trots on December 31.

He was found guilty of using threatening words to deputy chief steward Rhys Chappell and approaching him with a clenched fist.

Sheridan was also charged with having used offensive and insulting language to the stewards’ panel.

The inquiry began when Sheridan was charged with not having held his reins with both hands when driving out Arriens, who ran 10th. He was fined $200 for that rule breach.

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