Stewards’ Report – Matthew Purcell
Date – 15 September 2016
Panel – D Farquharson, K Wolsey, N Torpey
The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Stewards today conducted an inquiry into a report received from the Queensland Government Racing Science Centre (RSC) that Dexamethasone was detected in a pre race urine sample taken from Arctic prior to it competing in Race 3 at Albion Park on Friday, 6 May 2016.
Evidence was provided by licensed trainer Matthew Purcell, via telephone, regarding the presentation of Arctic for racing at Albion Park on 6 May 2016. Evidence was also provided by Dr Karen Caldwell, Acting Manager Veterinary Services and Samantha Nelis, Acting Manager Analytical Services from the Racing Science Centre.
After consideration Mr Purcell was charged pursuant to Australian Harness Racing (AHR) Rule 190 (1) which reads:
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190. (1) A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.
(2) If a horse is presented for a race otherwise than in accordance with sub rule (1) the trainer of the horse is guilty of an offence.
(4) An offence under sub rule (2) or sub rule (3) is committed regardless of the circumstances in which the prohibited substance came to be present in or on the horse.
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The particulars of the charge being that Mr Purcell did present Arctic for racing at Albion Park on Friday, 6 May 2016 when the subsequent analysis of a urine sample obtained from that horse detected the presence of the prohibited substance Dexamethasone.
Mr Purcell was found guilty of the charge and fined the sum of $6000.
When assessing the matter of penalty Stewards gave consideration to the following:
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Mr Purcell’s licence history of 18 years and his personal and financial situation;
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The particular circumstances of the case;
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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;
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Penalty precedents.
Stewards further directed that under Rule 195 Arctic be disqualified from its placing in Race 3 at Albion Park on 6 May 2016 and all other placegetters be amended accordingly.
Mr Purcell was advised of his rights to internal review.
