HARNESS Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an inquiry today into licensed driver Mr Douglas Hewitt recording an alcohol concentration in excess of 0.02% on a breath analyser at the time he presented to drive LADY SWISS in Race 2, the SPORTSWRITER NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLIES FINAL (Group 1) at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Sunday 1 July 2018.
Mr Hewitt pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 250(1)(a) as follows:
AHHR 250.(1) A driver commits an offence if:-
(a) A sample taken from him is found upon analysis to contain a substance banned by Rule 251,
AHHR 251. The following substances and/or their metabolites, artifacts, and isomers are declared as banned substances in drivers when present in a urine sample (unless otherwise stated) at a concentration above the applicable cut-off level:-
(c) All diuretics (0μg/L): Probenecid: (0μg/L): Alcohol (at a concentration in excess of 0.02% on a breath analyser):
Mr Hewitt’s drivers licence was wholly suspended for a period of 3 months to commence from 1 July 2018, the date upon which he was stood down. Mr Hewitt was informed that an application would be considered by HRNSW Stewards for him to return to trackwork after a period of 10 weeks from 1 July 2018.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:
- Mr Hewitt’s first offence for such matter;
- Seriousness of the offence;
- The concentration of alcohol recorded being 0.026%;
- The status of the harness meeting and Group 1 status of the race;
- Mr Hewitt’s guilty plea, licence history, personal and financial subjective facts.
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
