Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry yesterday into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that meloxicam had been detected in the pre-race blood sample taken from ROBOB prior to race 6, the HRNSW REWARDS SERIES HEAT (1720 metres) conducted at Penrith on Thursday 2 January 2020.
The “B” sample was confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Mr Simiana appeared at the Inquiry and presented evidence in relation to his registered training establishment, his husbandry practices, the horse ROBOB, a veterinary procedure performed upon a pony at his registered training establishment and the subsequent medical treatment of that pony. Evidence including the Reports of Analysis and expert evidence from HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott was also presented.
Mr Simiana pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4) for presenting ROBOB to race not free of a prohibited substance.
Mr Simiana was disqualified for a period of 4.5 months to commence from 2 February 2020 the date upon which he was stood down pursuant to AHRR 183.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following;
- Mr Simiana’s first Prohibited Substance offence- matters before the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal for determination;
- Mr Simiana’s guilty plea;
- Circumstances of this matter including possible contamination;
- Class 3 Prohibited Substance;
- Mr Simiana’s offence record, training record and other personal subjective facts.
Acting under the provisions of Rule 195, ROBOB was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Mr Simiana has appealed against this decision of HRNSW Stewards.
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 an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
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To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
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Name:
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Michael Prentice Grant Adams
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Position:
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Integrity Manager Chairman of Stewards
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Phone:
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(02) 9722 6600 (02) 9722 6628
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Email:
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mprentice@hrnsw.com.au gadams@hrnsw.com.au
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