Prague, Nov 12 (CTK) – Nikas, the winning horse of the latest Grand Pardubice Steeplechase, had a positive doping test, jockey Dusan Andres, whose horse Cariray is also suspected of doping during the same horse racing weekend in Pardubice one month ago, told isport.cz news server yesterday.
If an analysis of control samples confirm the positive tests, both horses may be disqualified. The Czech Jockey Club, which will deal with the case, said it would comment on it on Friday.
Andres with Cariray won the Crystal Cup race on October 10. Nikas won the 125th steeplechase, which is the biggest event, with jockey Marek Stromsky on October 11.
The coach of both Cariray and Nikas is Stanislav Popelka.
Popelka told CTK on Wednesday that he must not comment on the case.
Andres said he does not believe that the coach would give the horses something on purpose. Contaminated fodder might be the reason of the positive test, he added.
This would be yet another bitter pill to swallow for Stromsky, the server writes.
Stromsky was disqualified already once: in 2008 he finished the Grand Pardubice race with Amant Gris in the first position, but his victory was annulled because he did not follow the race track properly. In 2010, Stromsky with Amant Gris fought for victory in the steeplechase, but they ended second.
