Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) today concluded an inquiry into a report received from the Australian Government National Measurement Institute that cobalt above the threshold was detected in a post race urine sample taken from BIEN HOA NZ following its win in race 4, the NTS Pace (1609 metres) conducted at Newcastle on 29 May 2014.
The “B” sample and associated control sample were confirmed by the ChemCentre in Western Australia.
Mr Hayward pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule 190 (1), (2) and (4) in that he did present BEIN HOA NZ to race at Newcastle on 29 May 2014, not free of a prohibited substance.
Mr Hayward further pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule 187(2) in that he gave false and/or misleading evidence at the inquiry on 1 September 2014 regarding any contact and/or meeting he had previous with Mr Shannon Wonson.
Mr Hayward was disqualified for a period of 10 years in respect of the charge under Rule 190 (1), (2) & (4) to commence from 1 August 2014, the date upon which he was stood down. In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following;
This was Mr Hayward’s 3rd offence for Rule 190 breaches,That Cobalt is deemed a Class 1 substance under the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines,The level recorded being 570ug/LMr Hayward’s licence history and other personal subjective facts
In relation to the charge under Rule 187(2), Mr Hayward was disqualified for a period of 12 months, to be served concurrently with the period imposed for the Rule 190 breach.
Acting under the provisions of Rule 195, BEIN HOA NZ was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
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 31 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
Name: Reid Sanders
Position: Manager Integrity & Chairman of Stewards
Phone: (02) 9722 6600
Email: rsanders@hrnsw.com.au
