HARNESS Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards concluded an inquiry today that commenced on 18 October 2017 into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Xylometazoline was detected in the blood sample taken from WAKE UP QUINN following its win in race 8, the PARKES FURNITURE ONE PACE (2040 metres) at Parkes on Sunday 6 August 2017.
On 18 October 2017, licensed Trainer Ms Amanda Coffee pleaded guilty to a charge issued pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4) as stated:
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AHRR 190. (1) A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.
(2) If a horse is presented for a race otherwise than in accordance with sub rule (1) the trainer of the horse is guilty of an offence….
(4) An offence under sub rule (2) or sub rule (3) is committed regardless of the circumstances in which the prohibited substance came to be present in or on the horse.
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Ms Amanda Coffee again appeared at the Inquiry today represented by solicitor Mr Glenn Walters who provided submissions with respect to penalty.
HRNSW Stewards did not impose an additional penalty upon Ms Coffee who had been stood down from 8 September 2017.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:
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Ms Coffee’s firstprohibited substance offence;
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Seriousness of the offence;
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The nature of the substance Xylometazoline;
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Ms Coffee’s guilty plea, licence history, personal and financial subjective facts;
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The circumstances of this matter and assistance provided by Ms Coffee.
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 33 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by a Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
MICHAEL PRENTICE | INTEGRITY MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 • mprentice@hrnsw.com.au
GRANT ADAMS | CHAIRMAN OF STEWARDS
(02) 9722 6600 • gadams@hrnsw.com.au
