Queensland officials slam ill-founded rumors about leading trainer

RACING Queensland officials have taken aim at a vicious rumour campaign levelled at leading trainer Tony Gollan after it was found yesterday he had not infringed any rules of racing, reports the Courier-Mail.It says: Industry speculation, fuelled by website reports on Friday evening, was rife at the weekend that one of Gollan's horses had returned a positive swab, but at the time, RQ stewards were still awaiting the findings of a second sample."An irregularity was reported in a sample taken

RACING Queensland officials have taken aim at a vicious rumour campaign levelled at leading trainer Tony Gollan after it was found yesterday he had not infringed any rules of racing, reports the Courier-Mail.

It says: Industry speculation, fuelled by website reports on Friday evening, was rife at the weekend that one of Gollan's horses had returned a positive swab, but at the time, RQ stewards were still awaiting the findings of a second sample.

"An irregularity was reported in a sample taken from one of Mr Gollan's horses that competed at Doomben last Monday and, in accordance with due process, the sample was sent for referee analysis and that irregularity was not identified," chief steward Wade Birch said.

"Therefore, there's no case to answer and the matter is now finalised."

Gollan has declined to comment publicly on the issue but is believed to be bitterly disappointed at the rumour and innuendo he has been subjected to.

The issue was not only a hot topic at Eagle Farm but also at Randwick and Flemington, where Gollan had Spirit Of Boom engaged on Saturday.

RQL chairman Kevin Dixon took aim at those who sought to insinuate Gollan was in hot water.

"Unfortunately we have people who associate themselves with the racing industry who feel it is OK to circumvent due process and make malicious and, all too often, erroneous comments," Dixon said.

"These can have disastrous effects on people, their livelihood, their families and careers, as well as confidence in the industry, when those people have never bothered to verify or find any rationale for their comments."