For immediate release
Date of issue 27 July 2017
FLETCHERS KNIGHT & RUSTY RED COMET INQUIRY 27 JULY 2017 – BEN YOLE.
Panel – D Farquharson, A Crowther, & S Quill
Office of Racing Integrity Stewards today inquired into reports from the analyst that, Arsenic in excess of the prescribed allowable threshold had been detected in urine samples taken from RUSTY RED COMET at Launceston Pacing Club on 10 June 2016 and FLETCHERS KNIGHT at Tasmanian Pacing Club on 8 July 2016.
Stewards considered evidence tendered by trainer Mr Ben Yole, Prof Simon Bailey (University of Melbourne), and Veterinarian Dr Peter Horridge.
Mr Ben Yole subsequently pleaded guilty to two charges pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHHR) 190(1) which states “A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances”
The particulars of the charges were that Mr Ben Yole did present RUSTY RED COMET for racing at Launceston on 10 June 2016 and FLETCHERS KNIGHT for racing at Hobart on 8 July 2016 when urine samples taken from those horses were found to contain the prohibited substance Arsenic.
Evidence taken from Professor Simon Bailey included a reference to a study by Melbourne University faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences examining the ingestion of wood shavings containing Arsenic. The evidence could not exclude to the requisite standard that the level of arsenic detected was not the result of RUSTY RED COMET and FLETCHERS KNIGHT consuming wood from paddock fencing.
Analysis of samples taken at the time a stable inspection was carried out confirmed the presence of arsenic consistent with treated timber. Photographic evidence tendered by Stewards also confirmed signs of significant and fresh damage to the wood consistent with chewing. Stewards were therefore not satisfied on the evidence before the panel that such result were not the outcomes of the horses consuming the fencing over the period in their respective paddocks.
Stewards determined to not impose a penalty against Mr Ben Yole for the breaches of AHHR 190(1) in these circumstances.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, RUSTY RED COMET was disqualified from its unplaced performance at Launceston on 10 June 2016 and FLETCHERS KNIGHT was disqualified from its winning performance at Hobart on 8 July 2016 and directed that the placing’s of both races be amended accordingly.
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David Farquharson
SENIOR STEWARD – Harness
(03) 6777 1900
