Racing: Cumani fined for substance misuse

LUCA CUMANI was yesterday fined a total of pounds 750 by the Jockey Club's Disciplinary Committee for offences relating to prohibited substances.

The committee fined the Newmarket trainer pounds 500 for running his filly Sharera on phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone, which are both banned, when she finished second to Shfoug in a handicap at Newmarket on 2 October last year.

After considering the evidence, including statements from Cumani, his vet and other witnesses, the committee was satisfied that the source of the substance was phenylbutazone, which was being administered to another horse in the yard on veterinary advice. Sharera was disqualified.

The Bedford House trainer was also fined pounds 250 for his failure to record, as required by the rules, a treatment of phenylbutazone given to Zomaradah on 1 and 2 October last year.

In another blow to the British Horseracing Board's Showcase race initiative, the major bookmakers have elected not to provide prices in advance of today's Showcase event, the rather lowly 3.40 race at Musselburgh. The Showcase title was switched to the Scottish event after only three runners were declared for the original choice, the 2.30 at Folkestone.