Elusive City's Richmond Stakes Victory Jeopardized

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By Richard Griffiths
The Thoroughbred Corporation's leading juvenile Elusive City faces disqualification from his victory in the group II Richmond Stakes at Goodwood last month over a positive test.

A U.S.-bred son of Elusive Quality, Elusive City is one of the favorites for next year's Two Thousand Guineas, having followed up his Goodwood win with victory in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville, France, last weekend.

Prize money is being withheld from the colt's connections while tests continue in a bid to establish whether Elusive City's post-race sample contained a prohibited substance.

The process could take some time as Jockey Club sources told the Bloodhorse.com that the 'B' sample, which is always sent to an overseas testing authority to confirm the initial finding of the 'A' sample, has not yet been sent out.

But Elusive City's trainer Gerard Butler has been informed that the 'A' sample has produced a positive test and Butler believes that the source could be medication called Gastrogard, which is used to treat stomach ulcers in horses.

Butler stressed that he had used Gastrogard within the recommended guidelines and that it is not regarded as performance enhancing substance.

If the 'B' substance does test positive, Butler would face a Jockey Club inquiry at which he would almost certainy be fined and Elusive City disqualified.

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