Mr Paul Kahlefeldt – Inquiry Concluded

On Wednesday 22 June 2016, Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry today into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that synephrine had been detected in the urine sample taken from REDBANK UNDER FIRE following its win in race 1, the TAB REWARDS PACE (1758 metres) conducted at Leeton on Sunday 27 December 2015 and in the urine sample taken from LETTUCE GO PIPPA following its win in race 5, the L&D BOWLING CLUB PACE (1758 metres) conducted at Leeton on Saturday 13 February 2016.

The ‘B’ samples were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.

Mr Kahledfeldt appeared at the inquiry and presented evidence in relation to his registered training establishment. In addition, Mr Kahlefeldt presented reports from agronomists that confirmed the presence of the plant species, Juncus usitatus, at his training establishment. These plants are commonly known as Common Rush, Pin Rush or Mat Rush and produce the substance synephrine.

HRNSW Stewards also presented a report from The Royal Botanical Gardens, National Herbarium of NSW confirming that plant samples obtained by HRNSW Stewards during a stable inspection at Mr Kahlefeldt’s on 10 February 2016 also included the species Juncus usitatus.  It was noted that a previous warning issued in 2012 is published on HRNSW’s website.

Mr Kahlefeldt pleaded guilty to two (2) charges issued pursuant to Rule 190 (1), (2) & (4) for presenting REDBANK UNDER FIRE and LETTUCE GO PIPPA to race not free of a prohibited substance, being synephrine.

In respect of those charges, Stewards did not impose a penalty on Mr Kahlefeldt as they were satisfied that the detection of synephrine had resulted from environmental contamination.  However, Mr Kahlefeldt was cautioned that he must take all reasonable measures in future to manage his training establishment and horses to ensure that his horses were presented in accord with the Rules.

In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following;

• The report issued by the Royal Botanical Gardens, National Herbarium of NSW;

• The Agronomist reports presented by Mr Kahlefeldt;

• Environmental contamination;

• Mr Kahlefeldt’s first Prohibited Substance offences;

• Mr Kahlefeldt’s licence history and other personal subjective facts.

Acting under the provisions of Rule 195, REDBANK UNDER FIRE and LETTUCE GO PIPPA were disqualified from the abovementioned races.

Mr Kahlefeldt was advised of his right to appeal these 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.