Queensland trainer John Nikolic has been disqualified for 12 months after a horse he brought across the NSW border to race tested positive to an illegal substance.
Nikolic is the brother of banned jockey Danny Nikolic and only returned to training last year after a previous infringement.
A post-race sample taken from Wonderful Jester after his win in Class 3 at Murwillumbah on January 5 contained gapapentin, an active ingredient in a number of prescription medicines for humans.
Under the rules of racing it can be classified as a prohibited substance by its actions and effects, primarily on the central nervous system.
Racing NSW stewards said betting records showed the horse was backed from $8 to $2.40 favourite, indicating strong stable support.
Nikolic pleaded not guilty.
