Corstens handed six-month ban

Victorian trainer Leon Corstens has been suspended for six months after his star galloper Starspangledbanner was found to have raced with a prohibited substance in its bloodstream.

Corstens, who tasted Group One success when Starspangledbanner won the Caulfield Guineas last year, was asked before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board after RVL stewards had charged him under regulation AR 178.

Starspangledbanner, a colt, had tested positive to Altrenogest, a substance usually used to treat mares when in season, when he won the Victorian Owners and Breeders Awards Handicap at Caulfield on August 1.

Corstens had pleaded not guilty but RADB chairman Judge Lewis found otherwise and given Corstens' history of six prior drug-related manners, including four suspensions, decided to impose a suspension on the 65-year-old.

The trainer will be suspended from February 28 until August 31 and Starspangledbanner has been stripped of the race victory.

Starspangledbanner was sold to Coolmore stud before the running of last Saturday's Lightning Stakes, where he ran fourth. He is estimated to be worth around $10 million and will be trained by Aiden O'Brian when he travels to Europe later in the year.