THREE-time Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase-winning jockey Steven Pateman faces an uncertain future in the saddle after his dual licence was disqualified for three years over a positive cobalt finding.
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Pateman, who is a heavyweight jumps jockey and also has a licence to train, and wife Jess Barton, formerly of Warrnambool, were disqualified by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board for three years each. They will appeal against the bans.
The finding related to a charge from the stewards which alleged at Coleraine on September 24, 2017, the Patemans administered or caused to be administered a prohibited substance to Sir Walter Scott .
Stewards alleged the substance cobalt was found in Sir Walter Scott's urine at a concentration in excess of 100 micrograms per litre, which they said would was to affect the jumper's performance or behaviour in a steeplechase.
A report from the analyst stated Sir Walter Scott returned a cobalt reading 12 times higher than the allowed amount. The penalty under the rules of racing carries a minimum mandatory penalty of three years unless special circumstances can be proven.
Pateman missed out last week on winning the Grand Annual Steeplechase for a fourth time when he fell from Sir Issac Newton in a hurdle race - four races before the Annual- at Warrnambool.
He was to ride last year's winner Zed Em. Pateman was taken to the Warrnambool Base Hospital with concussion after the fall.
His other Grand Annual Steeplechase winners are Al Garhood (2011) and Awakening Dream (2012).
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