Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards have concluded an inquiry into a report received from Racing Analytical Services Laboratory (RASL) that Im Lonely returned an elevated plasma total carbon dioxide (TC02) reading in a pre-race blood sample taken from the gelding prior to it competing in Race 5 at the Horsham meeting conducted on 11 July 2018.
Glenn Douglas, trainer of Im Lonely, was interviewed by HRV Stewards on 16 July 2018 concerning the husbandry practices adopted leading into the gelding’s engagement at Horsham on 11 July 2018.
Mr Douglas provided further evidence to the inquiry in relation to the husbandry practices he adopted and a report from HRV Senior Veterinarian Dr Julia Aspinall concerning the product ‘Neutradex’ was considered.
After consideration of all the evidence Mr Douglas was issued with a charge under the provisions of Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 196C(1)(b) which states:
196C. (1) A person must not administer an alkalinising agent in any manner to a horse which is engaged to run in a race:
(b) at any time within one (1) clear day of the commencement of the race.
The particulars of the charge being:
On 10 July 2018 when the trainer of Im Lonely he caused ‘Neutradex’, a product containing alkalinising agents, to be administered to that horse within one clear day of Im Lonely competing in Race 5 at the Horsham meeting conducted on 11 July 2018.
Mr Douglas pleaded guilty to the charge.
In assessing penalty Stewards took into account:
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Mr Douglas’ guilty plea and admissions provided;
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Any penalty imposed must demonstrate the importance of only administering substances within the permitted timeframe determined by the AHRR;
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The administration occurred within one clear day of the race as opposed to raceday.
Stewards accordingly imposed a fine of $2,000.
After hearing submissions from Mr Douglas and Mr Peter Cole owner of Im Lonely, Stewards ordered under the provisions of AHRR 258(1) that Im Lonely be disqualified from its 2nd placing in Race 5 at Horsham on 11 July 2018 and the placings amended accordingly.
