Dale fronted Racing NSW stewards in Sydney on Friday where he pleaded guilty.

In a further blow, connections were stripped of the gelding's win and first-place prizemoney of more than $50,000 from the race on May 13.

Evidence tendered to the inquiry established Lautaro was transported to the stables of former leading Riverina trainer Brett Cavanough in the days leading up to the Scone race and the gelding housed between two female horses who were being routinely treated with Altrenogest as per normal stable practice.

Altrenogest is not a prohibited substance for female horses and is administered to prevent them coming into season.

Evidence was also taken in person from Cavanough and licensed foreperson Stephanie Alexander and licensed stablehand Alex Maher by way of teleconference.

The inquiry concluded: “In all the circumstances the stewards were comfortably satisfied that there was sufficient evidence to suggest that the likely route of exposure-administration was by way of inadvertent contamination.”

“It's gut-wrenching for me and the owners, but what has come out today clearly spells out what has happened in this instance,” Dale said.

“It's a great lesson for me going forward in my training career.”

Evidence was also taken from Racing NSW senior official veterinarian Dr Craig Suann and Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory general manager John Keledjian.

Dale also represented connections of Lautaro, who won the Albury heat of the NSW Country Championships in March.

Lautaro defeated odds-on favourite Interlocuter from the powerful Godolphin stable in the Scone race with horses prepared by Chris Waller, Peter and Paul Snowden and Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott also in the beaten brigade.