Mr Warren Sambrook – Inquiry Conducted

On Wednesday 3 February 2016, Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards concluded an Inquiry that commenced on Friday 4 December 2015 following a routine stable inspection at the registered stable address of Licensed Trainer Mr Warren Sambrook the previous day.

Evidence was presented to the Inquiry on 4 December 2015 by Licensed Trainer Mr Warren Sambrook, Licensed Trainer Mr James Sutton (via telephone) and registered Owner Mr Lloyd Sutton. As a consequence of the Inquiry, the registered standardbred LASER IN FLIGHT which was entered to race in Race 3 “The Hogs Breath Cafe Pace” (1720 metres) at the Dubbo Harness Racing Club meeting on Friday 4/12/15 was withdrawn by Order of the Stewards.

The Inquiry was then adjourned and continued at the Dubbo Harness Racing Club on  Wednesday, 3 February, 2016.

After considering the evidence Stewards laid the following charges against Licensed Trainer, Mr Warren Sambrook:

Charge 1 – Issued under AHRR 190B (1) and (4) in that; “On Thursday 3/12/15 when a stable inspection was conducted by Stewards at his registered stable address, he failed to maintain a log book as required under sub-rule (1) of this Rule.”

Mr Sambrook pleaded guilty and was fined $ 200.

Charge 2 – Issued under AHRR 91(1)(a) and (2) in that;

Part 1-“For a period between the 31st October 2015 until the 26th November, 2015 he carried on the activities of the trainer of the registered horse MAVRICK when during that period of time he was not the holder of a current Trainers Licence.”

Part 2 -“For a period between the 6th September 2015 until the 26th November, 2015 he carried on the activities as a stablehand when assisting HRNSW Trainer James Sutton with the training, management, care and control of the registered horse Laser In Flight when during that period of time he was not the holder of a current Stablehands Licence.”

Mr Sambrook pleaded guilty was disqualified for a period of four months.  In addition, the Stewards imposed a fine of $ 200.

Charge 3 – Issued under AHRR196B (1), (2) and (3) in that; “On the morning of Thursday 3rd December 2015 he did administer an injection to the registered horse LASER IN FLIGHT when such horse was entered to race in on Friday 4th December 2015 and therefore within one clear day of the commencement of a race.”

Mr Sambrook was found guilty of the charge and disqualified for a period of eight months.

Stewards ordered this penalty be served cumulatively with the penalty imposed under Charge 2 in effect meaning that Mr Sambrook is disqualified for a period of twelve months.

Charge 4 – Issued under AHRR 187 (2), (6) and (7) in that; “He gave false or misleading evidence to the Stewards on 4th December 2015 during the course of an official inquiry.”

Mr Sambrook was found guilty and disqualified for a period of eight months to be served concurrently with the penalty incurred from Charge 3.

In determining the penalty for each charge Stewards took into account the individual plea entered for each charge, the circumstances and related consequences of each charge, the seriousness of each charge and the effect a breach of each charge has on the Harness Racing Industry as a whole.

Stewards further considered Mr Sambrook’s personal circumstances, the period of time in which he has held a licence and his offences record in relation to convictions under the same or similar Rules.

Mr Sambrook was advised of the provisions of a disqualified person and was afforded forty eight (48) hours to organise his affairs in relation to the horse under his care

Mr Sambrook was also advised of his right of appeal the Stewards decisions.

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.