Australian star Alligator Blood in positive swab scandal

One of Australia’s highest-profile horses, Alligator Blood, has returned a positive swab from the race which provided his connections with their biggest payday.

The David Vandyke-trained Alligator Blood tested positive for Altrenogest following his victory in the $2 million (£990,000/€1.09m) Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast on January 11.

Altrenogest is a prohibited substance in male horses in Australia. The substance is a hormone treatment used to control the cycles of fillies and mares but can be used to calm an unruly colt or stallion.

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) informed Vandyke that the sample had been sent for confirmatory testing at another laboratory.

The three-year-old won the Magic Millions Guineas after being delayed en route to the racecourse due to a motor accident.

Racing Queensland stewards delayed the race by 40 minutes to allow Alligator Blood and the Michael Moroney-trained Star Surprise sufficient time to arrive on course and compete.

Alligator Blood was later campaigned in Victoria, winning the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes and Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington before finishing tenth in the $5 million All-Star Mile at Caulfield last Saturday.

Alligator Blood has won ten of his 12 starts and finished second in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas behind Super Seth in October.

David Vandyke with star three-year-old Alligator BloodCredit: Racing Photos

Vandyke said on Wednesday evening: "I was informed today that Alligator Blood has returned an irregularity to Altrenogest after his win on 11 January at the Gold Coast.

"There is a B-sample under review. Altrenogest is a drug that has never been used to my knowledge on Alligator Blood or any male horse in our stable.

He added: "It is used in our stable under the brand name Ovumate and is given to some female horses under our care with accurate records kept surrounding administration.

"These records have been given to QRIC. We're in the process of reviewing our security and stable management. There will be no further comment as we await the result of the B-sample."

It’s not the first time a high-profile male horse has returned an irregularity to Altrenogest in Australia.

Trainer Leon Corstens was suspended for six months in February 2010 after Starspangledbanner returned a pre-race positive swab before his victory on the opening day of his three-year-old season.

Starspangledbanner was disqualified for his three-year-old handicap win before winning four Group 1 races in the next 12 months – the Caulfield Guineas, Oakleigh Plate, Diamond Jubilee Stakes and July Cup.

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