March 4 - Although it has barely started, the month of March has already been a busy one for South Africa's National Horseracing Authority (NHA) which has held two unrelated enquires to address recent infractions in the sport, from the use of abusive language to the administering of illegal steroids.

According to the National Horseracing Authority, it held an inquiry in Cape Town on Monday this week to review the case of jockey Brandon Morgenrood who was charged with contravening Rule 72.1.18, for directing abusive language at the starter of a race in which he rode on February 24 this year.

Mr. Morgenrood was also charged with contravening Rule 72.1.26, for continuing to use abusive language in the weighing room about said starter after the above race. The NHA, which licenses starters in South Africa, accused Mr. Morgenrood of bringing the name of NHA and the starter into disrepute.

After pleading guilty on both counts, NHA Inquiry Board found Mr. Morgenrood guilty and awarded him a single fine of R5,000, of which R2,500 has been wholly suspended for one year on the condition he is not found guilty of repeatedly contravening Rule 72.1.18 and/or Rule 72.1.26 during that period.

In another NHA Inquiry held in Durban on Tuesday this week, trainer Bhekinkosi Bulana was accused of contravening Rule 73.2.4 in that a specimen taken from a horse in his care, Stage Star, following a race in November last year at Scottsville Racecourse, was found to contain a prohibited substance.

A blood sample taken from the thoroughbred tested positive for traces of Prednisolone, which is on the NHA's list of banned substances. After pleading guilty, the Inquiry Board found Mr. Bulana guilty and gave him a R60,000 fine. As he was not personally present at the inquiry, he lost his right to appeal.

In addition, under the terms of Rule 72.3.2, Stage Star was disqualified from the said race and the provisions of Rule 67.7.8 apply. It is no secret that the National Horseracing Authority is on a mission to try and stamp out the use of banned substances in South Africa in an attempt to clean up the sport.