Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards have issued a charge against licensed trainer Jeff Tabone under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190(1), which reads as follows:
A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances
It is alleged that the horse ‘The Thug NZ’ was presented to race at Geelong on 25 October 2018 by Jeff Tabone, whilst not free of alkalinising agents, a prohibited substance when evidenced by a total carbon dioxide (TCO2) concentration in excess of 36 millimoles per litre in plasma.
Jeff Tabone was also charged under AHRR 90A (2.9)(a) which requires trainers to ensure that all persons carrying out the activities of a stable hand are licensed as stable hands.
Emanuel Tabone was charged under AHRR 91(1)(a) which prohibits a person carrying on an activity regulated by licence if that person is not the holder of a current licence.
It is alleged Emanuel Tabone carried out the activities of a stable hand by handling and preparing ‘The Thug NZ’ prior to it being transported to the Geelong harness racing meeting on 25 October 2018, when not the holder of a current licence.
The charges against both participants will be heard by the HRV Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on a date to be fixed.