Strewth! Can of Foster's lager in Windsor stable sparks stewards' inquiry

A half-drunk can of lager in a racecourse stable on a hot and steamy Cuban-themed evening at Windsor sparked a pre-racing inquiry that ended with a report being sent by the stewards to the BHA head office in London.

Drinks were the order of the day at the Thamesside track, but certainly not for those on racing business, so when the can of amber nectar was found shortly after lunchtime it sparked an official investigation.

In a week when the Melbourne Cup is being paraded around Britain it was another famous Australian product – a can of Foster's – that was at the centre of the affair.

Watch how Capala ran at Windsor on Monday evening

Trainer Adam West spotted the can hidden in the corner of the box where he had unloaded Capala, one of his four runners during the evening.

He said: "We arrived as usual around four hours before racing and unloaded the four and put them in the stables. When we went back with a bucket of water we found hidden in a corner a half-drunk beer can.

"I went to get the stable manager and he got the stewards, who immediately started procedures. Unfortunately it ended up with the horse being victimised as he had to be tested – anything that breaks the horse's or lad's routine isn't helpful.

"It's amusing now, although it was a hassle at the time, but everyone was just doing their job."

The Epsom trainer added: "I needed a few cans myself after the way they ran last night!"

West was not blaming this for his gambled-on juvenile finishing only fifth, although beaten less than two lengths, in the 5f maiden, having been backed into as low as 7-1 from 33-1 overnight before starting at 12-1.

"It was a bit firm for him on his first run on turf and the Cuban music got him excited before the race, but I was not surprised by the money for him as he had shown good speed in his races."

West, who moved to Loretta Lodge in Epsom with expanding numbers in his third season training, has 35 horses in the 50-box yard.

"The move and a hard winter with a lot of two-year-olds in the stable has made it a slow start, but there are plenty to come and I'm looking forward to running Pontefract winner Bambino Lola.

"Her form looks very good now – she was in front of last week's Newmarket winner Foxtrot Lady when third at York before her win and she could either go back to Pontefract for a Listed race next month or take in a nice three-year-old handicap at Ascot on August 11th."

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