Macedon Lodge was forced to leave Amralah out of the Melbourne Cup acceptances after the import showed traces of the cortisone Dexamethasone in its system that was detected when the stable ordered a series of voluntary swabs to be taken from the entire.
The writ alleges the Ballarat Veterinary Practice and Dr Brian Anderson "failed to exercise reasonable skill and care” when providing incorrect advice on the time the drug took to clear the horse's system.
The stable's vet engaged the Ballarat Veterinary Practice and veterinary surgeon Dr Brian Anderson to treat Amralah after an examination revealed the stayer had tight neck muscles after stumbling in September.
The writ alleges Dr Anderson told Williams's vet Dr Luke Russell, Amralah would be able to race without the substance in his system if he injected the horse on September 4, 15 days before he won the Tokyo City Cup (1800m) in Adelaide.
However, the documents reveal Amralah tested positive to the substance when he won the Listed Tokyo City Cup at Morphettville.
South Australian stewards will conduct an inquiry into that matter on December 3.
Amralah subsequently qualified for the Melbourne Cup when he won the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 10 but the Dexamethasone had left the horse's system by that date.
Amralah allegedly had a second injection of Dexamethasone on October 13, which the horse's owners claim they were told would leave the Irish-bred galloper able to run legally in the Melbourne Cup.
The writ seeks compensation for Ballarat Veterinary Practice's alleged breach of duty of care and their engagement by offering incorrect advice and administering the treatment that also prevented the horse from running in the Emirates Stakes or accepting for any engagement in Perth or Hong Kong.
The plaintiff conceded Amralah was likely to be disqualified from the Tokyo City Cup, costing them $64,320 in prizemoney while contending the episode has diminished Amralah's stud value via his disqualification and lost opportunities to run in the big races.
Williams and his fellow owners are also seeking reimbursement of their costs involved in training Amralah for the Melbourne Cup.
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