Christine Green
New Member
Canterbury jockey Chris Johnson is almost certain not to ride again this season with confirmation he has tested positive to cannabis.
Johnson will face a Judicial Control Authority (JCA) hearing on Friday, where it is understood he will plead guilty to the charge placed by the Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) following confirmation of the positive sample.
Johnson returned a "non-negative" swab for cannabis at the Rangiora trials on May 24 when he was required to provide a urine sample for a random drug test.
The more conclusive lab analysis result from ESR (the Institute of Environmental Science and Research) has since come back positive.
But RIU general manager Mike Godber confirmed the prominent jockey was tested again on Friday and the results came back clear.
Godber said it was standard practice to re-test within a few days following the initial positive, but it did not take away from Johnson's positive three days earlier.
It is unknown if Johnson's clear test will be a mitigating factor towards any potential penalty when he is almost certain to be suspended following his hearing.
Any potential suspension to the South Island's most sought after rider is a setback for owners and trainers who will have to do without his services.
It is also a blow to the industry in general because Johnson is so popular with punters.
RIU testing for drugs and alcohol can take place at race meetings, trials and also during trackwork and Godber said jockeys need to be smarter.
"They're always running a risk by participating (in drug use)," Godber said.
"If you want riding to be your business you just can't afford to do it."
If Johnson is suspended following his hearing, it is likely the JCA will back date his suspension to start from when he was stood down on May 25.
Johnson's hearing will take place at Riccarton before Friday's Canterbury Jockey Club meeting.
Meanwhile, junior driver Kevin Riddell was stood down from his driving commitments at Rangiora's harness meeting on Sunday after providing a "non-negative" sample to a prohibited substance.
Godber confirmed the substance was cannabis but the RIU was waiting for confirmation from the lab result to be confirmed as either positive or negative.
He said many work places had staff test positive to cannabis and does not feel the racing industry has a problem with the class C drug despite potentially having two positives in Canterbury within a week.
News Moderator: Christine Green 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Canterbury jockey Chris Johnson tests positive for cannabis | Stuff.co.nz
Author: Matt Kermeen
Contact: newsroom@stuff.co.nz
Photo Credit: Iain Mcgregor
Website: Latest breaking news NZ | Stuff.co.nz
Johnson will face a Judicial Control Authority (JCA) hearing on Friday, where it is understood he will plead guilty to the charge placed by the Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) following confirmation of the positive sample.
Johnson returned a "non-negative" swab for cannabis at the Rangiora trials on May 24 when he was required to provide a urine sample for a random drug test.
The more conclusive lab analysis result from ESR (the Institute of Environmental Science and Research) has since come back positive.
But RIU general manager Mike Godber confirmed the prominent jockey was tested again on Friday and the results came back clear.
Godber said it was standard practice to re-test within a few days following the initial positive, but it did not take away from Johnson's positive three days earlier.
It is unknown if Johnson's clear test will be a mitigating factor towards any potential penalty when he is almost certain to be suspended following his hearing.
Any potential suspension to the South Island's most sought after rider is a setback for owners and trainers who will have to do without his services.
It is also a blow to the industry in general because Johnson is so popular with punters.
RIU testing for drugs and alcohol can take place at race meetings, trials and also during trackwork and Godber said jockeys need to be smarter.
"They're always running a risk by participating (in drug use)," Godber said.
"If you want riding to be your business you just can't afford to do it."
If Johnson is suspended following his hearing, it is likely the JCA will back date his suspension to start from when he was stood down on May 25.
Johnson's hearing will take place at Riccarton before Friday's Canterbury Jockey Club meeting.
Meanwhile, junior driver Kevin Riddell was stood down from his driving commitments at Rangiora's harness meeting on Sunday after providing a "non-negative" sample to a prohibited substance.
Godber confirmed the substance was cannabis but the RIU was waiting for confirmation from the lab result to be confirmed as either positive or negative.
He said many work places had staff test positive to cannabis and does not feel the racing industry has a problem with the class C drug despite potentially having two positives in Canterbury within a week.
News Moderator: Christine Green 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Canterbury jockey Chris Johnson tests positive for cannabis | Stuff.co.nz
Author: Matt Kermeen
Contact: newsroom@stuff.co.nz
Photo Credit: Iain Mcgregor
Website: Latest breaking news NZ | Stuff.co.nz
