Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry yesterday in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Lignocaine, 3’-hydroxy lignocaine and norlignocaine had been detected in the urine sample taken from the horse:
- MISTER REA following its win in race 6, the NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 2YO COLTS & GELDINGS HEAT (1720 metres) conducted at Young on Tuesday 14 September 2021.
The ‘B’ sample and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited in Victoria.
Licensed Trainer Mr Raymond Walker appeared at the Inquiry. Evidence including the Reports of Analysis was presented to the Inquiry. Evidence was also taken from Mr Walker regarding the horse MISTER REA, his husbandry practices and circumstances preceding the race. Evidence was also presented to the Inquiry by HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian, Dr Martin Wainscott.
Mr Walker pleaded guilty to three (3) charges issued by HRNSW Stewards pursuant to the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) as follows:
Charge 1 - Issued pursuant to AHRR 190(1), (2) & (4)
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.
(3) If a person is left in charge of a horse and the horse is presented for a race otherwise than in accordance with sub rule (1), the trainer of the horse and the person left in charge is each 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.
Charge 2 - Issued pursuant to AHRR 196A(1)(ii) & (2)
AHRR 196A.(1) A person shall not administer or cause to be administered to a horse any prohibited substance
(ii) which is detected in any sample taken from such horse prior to or following the running of any race.
(2) A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.
Charge 3 - Issued pursuant to AHRR 190B(1)(a), (b) & (6)
AHRR 190B (1) A trainer shall at all times keep and maintain a log book:-
(a) listing all therapeutic substances in his or her possession;
(b) recording all details of treatment administered to any horse in his or her care and including as a minimum requirement:
(i) the name of the horse
(ii) the date and time of administration of the treatment
(iii) the name of the treatment (brand name of active constituent)
(iv) the route of administration
(v) the amount given
(vi) the name and signature of the person or persons administering and/or authorising treatment.
(6) A trainer who fails to comply with the provisions of sub-rule (1), (3), (4) or (5) is guilty of an offence.
HRNSW Stewards imposed the following penalties:
- Charge 1: 3 months disqualification to commence immediately;
- Charge 2: 4 1/2 months disqualification to be served concurrently with the disqualification imposed for Charge 1.
- Charge 3: $500 fine.
In considering penalty HRNSW Stewards were mindful of the following;
- Mr Walker’s 1st prohibited substance matter;
- Class 3 Prohibited Substance;
- Mr Walker’s personal subjectives;
- Mr Walker’s guilty pleas;
- Mr Walker’s involvement in the harness racing industry for 46 years as a licensed trainer.
- HRNSW Penalty Guidelines.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, MISTER REA was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Mr Walker was advised of his right to Appeal these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.
