ON Thursday May 11, 2017, Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted 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 GARGZDAI GIRL following its win in race 8, the PACERS RESTAURANT NEW CHARGRILL MENU PACE (2030 metres) conducted at Newcastle on Friday January 20, 2017.
Licensed Trainer/Driver Ms Brown appeared at the Inquiry, accompanied by her legal advisor, and provided evidence regarding the horse GARGZDAI GIRL and her husbandry practices. Evidence including the Reports of Analysis was presented to the Inquiry and evidence was heard from HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Don Colantonio.
HRNSW Stewards issued the following charge against Ms Brown pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4) as follows:
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AHRR 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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Ms Brown pleaded guilty and was disqualified for a period of 5 years to commence from
March 14, 2017, the date upon which she was stood down.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following;
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The serious nature of this offence;
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Ms Brown Guilty plea;
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Ms Brown’s second Prohibited Substance offence;
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Cobalt being a Class 1 Prohibited Substance under the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines;
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Level of substance detected (1590 ug/L);
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Ms Brown’s licence history and other personal subjective facts.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, Stewards disqualified GARGZDAI GIRL from the abovementioned race.
Ms Brown was advised of her 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 33 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by a Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
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To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
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Name:
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Michael Prentice Graham Loch
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Position:
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Integrity Manager Chairman of Stewards
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Phone:
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(02) 9722 6600 (02) 9722 6628
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Email:
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mprentice@hrnsw.com.au gloch@hrnsw.com.au
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