Larsen relieved to have his name cleared

Southland trainer-driver Kirk Larsen heads to the Wyndham trots today a relieved man.

Larsen was shocked to learn his horse, Melina Lowe, had tested positive for prohibited substance ketoprofen after winning at Forbury Park in June last year.

The Judicial Control Authority has released its reserved decision from a hearing into the matter on January 16. Larsen was cleared of being involved in the administration of the substance to the horse.

Investigators found no evidence of ketoprofen in any form at his stable or having been purchased previously from his vet.

Larsen was fined $250 by the JCA for presenting Melina Lowe with a prohibited substance in its system, despite being proven not to have administered it.

''It is good to get it behind us. We still got fined. I don't know how we got fined but that is how the racing rules work.''

Larsen has had a clean record for more than 31 years and is pleased he continue with his name cleared.

''The pleasing part is [the JCA] have come out and seen it for what it is and basically cleared our name of any wrongdoing. It is good to get that out in the open.

''We are a selling stable. We have always been conscious of that and making sure your reputation never gets dented.''

Trainer Robert Dunn's racing team at Forbury Park was stabled next to Larsen's horses the night Melina Lowe won.

A JCA inquiry run alongside Larsen's case found Dunn's staff were in possession of ketoprofen for the post-race treatment of their horses.

That resulted in a $4000 fine for Dunn, who was not at the races that night, as well as $2000 fines for staff member Craig Smith and South Island stable manager John Dunn, who was not at the race meeting either.

The inquiry found no evidence the Dunn stable was involved in giving Melina Lowe ketoprofen. But it is against racing rules to have the substance at the track during a meeting without permission, despite the racing team staying at the course after the races.

Melina Lowe was subsequently disqualified from the race and second-placed Highview Illusion promoted to first.

The incident has been a dampener hanging over Larsen's stable during what has otherwise been a good season.

''We haven't had many to race. We are quite happy with the results we have had with what we have got.

''We have a few more to start kicking out shortly, [a] few 2yr-olds and horses from last year that haven't raced yet.''

Larsen's only stable runner at Wyndham today is 3yr-old filly Varenna, who takes on c1-2 female pacers in in race 5.

''She is a lovely filly. She has only been off the place six times. She is doing a good job.''

Varenna will need to be right up to her debut form when she ran a 1.55.2 mile to win at Winton in December. Heading her rivals will be last-start Invercargill winner Bonnie Joan and Motu Time To Shine, who has just completed a hat-trick of wins.

Adding to the strength of the field are Roxburgh Cup runner-up to Mossdale Conner, Bettor Enforce and arguably the most impressive 3yr-old filly Southland has seen this season, in Seaswift Joy.

Larsen also steers Steiger in race 3 for Lindsay Veint. The 4yr-old faded after working hard in his last start at Invercargill, but would have got fitness benefit from the race, Larsen said.

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