Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards today concluded inquiries into the results of analysis from two approved laboratories that the prohibited substance Cobalt was detected above the threshold of 200mg/Litre in urine samples collected from the following horses;
COOGEE COOGEE (Trainer M Hardy) following its win in race 7, the Uranquinty Hotel Ladyship Pace (1,755 metres) conducted at Wagga on 24 January 2014
THE BIG MARN (Trainer R Nicholson) following its win in race 11, the Flying K Final (1000 metres) conducted at Menangle on 21 January 2014.
MAJOR DENIAL (Trainer R Nicholson) following its win in race 1, the Tattersalls Hotel Pace (1710 metres) conducted at Goulburn on 27 January 2014
Mr M Hardy was found guilty of a charge pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule 190 (1),(2) & (4), in that as the trainer of COOGEE COOGEE he did present that horse to race at Wagga on 24 January 2014, not free of a prohibited substance, namely cobalt above the threshold.
Mr Hardy was disqualified for a period of 30 months backdated to 20 March 2014, the date in which he was stood down pursuant to Rule 183. In considering penalty the Stewards were mindful of the nature of the substance, in particular that it could be determined as a Class 1 substance under the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines and Mr Hardy’s previous good record.
Acting under Rule 195 Stewards ordered that COOGEE COOGEE be disqualified as the winner of race 7 at Wagga on 24 January 2014 and the placings be amended to;
1st LIFES SECRET T White
2nd GLENBURN ADDY R Walker
3rd THE QUEENS PORTRAIT P Maquire
Stewards also opened an inquiry into the results of analysis from one approved laboratory that the urine sample taken from LUDA following its win in race 7, the Cancer Council Pace (1740 metres) at Bankstown 28 February 2014 contained the prohibited substance cobalt above the threshold.
Mr R Nicholson was found guilty of 3 charges under the provision of Rule 190 (1),(2) & (4);
Charge 1: That as the registered trainer of THE BIG MARN he did present that horse to race at Menangle on 21 January 2014, not free of a prohibited substance, namely cobalt above the threshold.
Charge 2: That as the registered trainer of MAJOR DENIAL he did present that horse to race at Goulburn on 28 January 2014, not free of a prohibited substance, namely cobalt above the threshold.
Charge 3: That as the registered trainer of LUDA he did present that horse to race at Bankstown on 28 February 2014, not free of a prohibited substance, namely cobalt above the threshold.
Mr Nicholson was disqualified for a period of 3 years backdated to 20 March 2014, the date in which he was stood down pursuant to Rule 183. In considering penalty the Stewards were mindful of the nature of the substance, in particular that it could be determined as a Class 1 substance under the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines and that Mr Nicholson had only held a trainer’s licence for 4 months.
Acting under Rule 195, Stewards ordered that THE BIG MARN, MAJOR DENIAL and LUDA all be disqualified from their respective races.
