LEADING Country trainer Luke Griffith proclaimed his innocence when stewards opened an official inquiry into two positive swabs at Tamworth yesterday.
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Hunter and North West Racing Association chief steward Shane Cullen confirmed stewards had received two positive readings to methamphetamines from two of Griffith’s horses.
“We have two positives to methamphetamines,” Cullen told The Leader.
“We are waiting on a third. We have opened an inquiry today. Anything else that has been reported before has been speculation.”
Griffith is stunned and hugely disappointed by the positive swabs and what had been reported in the media as well as social media.
“All our horses have been tested, all our staff, everyone,” he said.
“I don’t know how it’s got there or where it’s come from. I’ve worked my way up to get there I am now. Why would I be so stupid to use something like that.”
Griffith, who has won the past two Country Trainer Premierships as well as three of the past four HNWRA premierships has no idea where or how the methamphetamines, more commonly known as ice, got into his two winners.
He had better luck on the track when Murranji won the Easter’s Landscape Supplies Class 1 Handicap (1200m) by a half head from Wantabearomeo.
Griffith said the three-year-old gelding had been a frustrating horse.
“He’s showed a lot of potential but done a lot of things wrong.
“He’s only a three-year-old. When the penny drops he’ll be a nice horse. He’ll be a better horse next prep.”
Griffith also has the two top weights for Saturday’s Narrabri and wee Waa Cups at Narrabri.
Stargrill Boy received 59kg for Saturday’s $12,000 Narrabri Cup (1200m) while Pauline’s Passion also received 59kg in the 1500m $8000 Wee Waa Cup.
The Sally Torrens-trained Subtract is the second top weight for the Narrabri Cup.
Out at Lightning Ridge the Rodney Robb-trained Blades Of Glory was elevated to top weight with 59kb in the 1200m $8000 Cup.