On Thursday 14 August 2014 Harness Racing SA stewards conducted an inquiry into a report from Racing Analytical Services Ltd (RASL) in relation to a urine sample taken from KING GALLEON followings its trial at Betezy Park, Globe Derby on Sunday 15 June 2014, after analysis of the sample detected the presence of the prohibited substance DEXAMETHASONE. This finding was confirmed by the Racing Science Centre in Queensland.
Evidence was taken from Trainer Scott Forby and RASL Scientific Manager Paul Zahra. Scott Forby provided his log book of treatments which showed KING GALLEON had been treated with Ilium Dexapent on Friday 13th June 2014. After hearing the relative evidence Scott Forby pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 190(1), (2) & (4) in that as the trainer of KING GALLEON he presented that gelding to trial on 15 June 2014 not free of the prohibited substance DEXAMETHASONE.
Further Scott Forby was found guilty of a charge under Rule 196A (1) in that he administered to KING GALLEON a prohibited substance which was detected in the urine sample taken from that horse following the running of the trial on 15 June 2014.
In assessing penalty, the panel took into account:
- The circumstances of the case
- Mr. Forby’s guilty plea
- Mr. Forby’s personal circumstances
- The need to provide both a specific and general deterrent in relation to prohibited substance offences.
- The negative affect a prohibited substance offence has on the confidence of the harness racing industry and the wider community.
Scott Forby was disqualified for a period of 9 months, effective immediately.
BARBARA SCOTT
Chair of Stewards.
15 August 2014.
