On Wednesday, June 26, the Ontario Racing Commission released its ruling in regard to an appeal from horseman Rene Allard.

Allard was appealing a ruling by ORC judges which imposed a $500 fine and a seven-day full suspension against him after a horse he trained (Veal Marsala) produced a Class V positive test for the drug furosemide. Veal Marsala produced the positive test after having won at race at Georgian Downs on November 13, 2012.

In his appeal, Allard stated that:

1. that the testing process for the drug was unreliable;


2. that the horse was an outlier;


3. that he exercised due diligence in compliance with the trainer responsibility rule;


4. that the penalty was too severe.

The ORC denied Allard's appeal.

Read the ORC's reasons for decision in a copy of the official ruling, which can be accessed here.

(With files from the ORC)