HARNESS Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards have concluded an inquiry that commenced on Monday June 19, 2017, into a report received from Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) that Cobalt above the threshold of 100 micrograms per litre in urine had been detected in the urine sample taken from CAMELOT SPEEDSTAR following its win in race 2, the RANDALL JONES AUTOMOTIVE PACE (1900m) conducted at Broken Hill on Friday March 17, 2017.
Licensed trainer-driver Ms Hughes provided evidence via telephone regarding CAMELOT SPEEDSTAR and her husbandry practices.
Evidence including the Certificates of Analysis was presented to the inquiry.
HRNSW Stewards issued the following charges against Ms Hughes pursuant to the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) as follows:
CHARGE 1 - AHRR 196A (1) A person shall not administer or cause to be administered to a horse any prohibited substance….
(ii) which is detected in any sample taken from such horse prior to or following the running of any race.
(2) A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.
CHARGE 2 (Alternative to Charge 1) - AHRR 196B. (1) A person shall not without the permission of the Stewards within one (1) clear day of the commencement of a race administer, attempt to administer or cause to be administered an injection to a horse nominated for that race…..
(4) A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.
CHARGE 3 - 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.
Ms Hughes pleaded guilty to all charges and was issued with the following penalties:
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Charge 1: Four years disqualification
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Charge 2: No penalty recorded- alternative charge
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Charge 3: Four years disqualification
The periods of disqualification is to be served concurrently and is to commence from April 20, 2017, the date upon which Ms Hughes 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 Hughes’ guilty pleas;
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Ms Hughes’ first prohibited substance offence;
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Class 1 prohibited substance under the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines;
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Level of substance detected;
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Ms Hughes’ licence history and other personal subjective facts.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, Stewards disqualified CAMELOT SPEEDSTAR from the abovementioned race.
Ms Hughes 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.
To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
MICHAEL PRENTICE | INTEGRITY MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 • mprentice@hrnsw.com.au
GRAHAM LOCH | CHAIRMAN OF STEWARDS
(02) 9722 6600 • gloch@hrnsw.com.au
