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Veteran harness driver Edward Roque is now serving a mandatory five race suspension after his pony GV Crystal Ball tested positive for a banned substance.

Roque's pony, which equalled the season's fastest time of 1:04 flat during the recent Boxing Day Stakes Races, was one of three ponies that were subjected to a random December 11, 2009 drugs test administered by a local veterinarian.

In addition to being banned, Roque, who declined appealing his case, was fined $250.

Roque admitted: "It was a silly mistake."

He said he'll serve out his ban then get back to racing.

Driving Horse and Pony Club president Nick DeCosta confirmed that the veteran driver's pony did, in fact, test positive for a performance enhancing drug that may have been intentionally used for medicinal purposes instead.

DeCosta explained: "This substance is a brochure dilator which is used for horses that have a cold or cough but at the same time this substance can be used as a performance enhancer."

He said had Roque produced a medical certificate from a veterinarian confirming that his pony had taken a substance for medical purposes prior to it being subjected to random drug test, he would've avoided having sanctions imposed against him.

In any case, DeCosta has cautioned his fellow colleagues to be more wary of the time it takes for their ponies to "withdraw" from medicinal substances that may also contain a "banned ingredient" prior to race days as all members are subjected to random drugs scans on the day.

He added: "A lot of times people get caught out with things they could use for medical purposes. I think the drivers just need to get used to withdrawal times, meaning how far out not to give these substances.

"I think it's just something that people need to get used to different withdrawal times for substances."

Punishment

As for Roque's punishment, DeCosta explained: "It's a set discipline for a set penalty for everybody and every substance which is a suspension for five race days and a $250 fine."

Roque's case brought the overall number of ponies that failed drugs scans last year to four. Three other drivers received one-year bans after their ponies tested for either caffeine or phenylbutazone in their systems before drug testing policy in the sport was controversially revised. Since then, the association have adopted a zero tolerance towards any would be drug cheats.

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