McLean had lodged an appeal with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal against the severity of the disqualification handed down in December by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board (RADB). The VCAT appeal was his last hope of winning a reprieve unless he was to launch costly court action, which is unlikely.

McLean had pleaded guilty to a charge laid by stewards of running galloper Prymslea in a restricted race over 1800 metres at Mildura last August when the horse had a prohibited substance in its system. Prymslea was found to have a TC02 level reading above the permissible level of 36 millimoles per litre of plasma.

The Standard believes the 33-year-old trainer was hoping to have the penalty reduced so he could train star jumpers Cats Fun and Maythehorsebemagic at the Warrnambool carnival.

VCAT’s Roland Williams heard evidence and submissions relating to the charge from McLean’s barrister Patrick Wheelahan and Racing Victoria’s barrister Cliff Pannan on Monday.

Williams yesterday told all the parties the six-month penalty would stand.

McLean, the 2013 Brierly Steeplechase-winning trainer, was also fined $2000 by the RADB for failing to keep records for a year of any treatment administered to any horses in his care.

The disqualification, which began on December 17, means he can’t go to any licensed premises including racetracks or stables until mid-June.

McLean did not return calls to The Standard yesterday.