23 August 2016
Inquiry: Trish McVeigh
Panel: D Farquharson, K Wolsey, N Torpey
Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Stewards today inquired into the circumstances surrounding the analysts’ findings in respect to a pre race urine sample taken from ANGUS BROMAC (NZ) prior to it competing in Race 5 at Albion Park on Friday, 20 May 2016.
The Queensland Government Racing Science Centre (RSC) reported a level of Cobalt in the sample in excess of the threshold as prescribed by the Australian Harness Racing Rules.
Today evidence was provided by trainer Ms Trish McVeigh, who explained the circumstances and possible explanation for the reading and her feeding and husbandry regime in the days prior to racing.
After consideration, Ms McVeigh was charged pursuant to Rule 190(1) which reads:
“A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances”
The particulars of the charge being that Ms McVeigh presented ANGUS BROMAC (NZ) to race at Albion Park on Friday, 20 May 2016, when a pre race urine sample taken from that horse was found, upon analysis, to contain a prohibited substance, namely Cobalt, above the prescribed threshold.
Ms McVeigh pleaded guilty to the charge.
When assessing the matter of penalty, Stewards took into account:
- The nature of the substance concerned and the level of Cobalt recorded (239Ug/L)
- No previous offences under this rule
- The circumstances of the case
- The need for a penalty to serve as a deterrent to illustrate that drug free racing is of paramount importance to the integrity of harness racing.
Ms Trish McVeigh was disqualified for 18 months effective immediately.
Stewards directed under Rule 195 that ANGUS BROMAC (NZ) be disqualified from its unplaced performance at Albion Park on 20 May 2016 and all other placegetters be amended accordingly.
Ms McVeigh was advised of her rights to an internal review of this decision.
