On 15 July 2016, the HRV Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board released its decision regarding its finding that licensed NSW trainer Mr Daniel Neagoe was in breach of Australian Harness Racing Rule 190(1) by presenting the horse Hot Shot Woman to race at Tabcorp Park Melton on 30 August 2015 whilst not free of the prohibited substances amphetamine, hydroxyamphetamine, methamphetamine and hydroxymethamphetamine.
The full decision of this matter can be viewed here.
On 22 July 2016, the HRV Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board heard submissions with respect to penalty regarding the matter.
After hearing submissions from the HRV Stewards and Mr Neagoe’s barrister, the HRV RAD Board imposed a 6 month disqualification with immediate effect.
In announcing its decision the HRV RAD Board had regard to, Hot Shot Woman having been in the care of Mr Neagoe’s stablehand in Melton for the month leading up to the race, Mr Neagoe’s short licensing history, the previous swab history of Hot Shot Woman, Mr Neagoe’s co-operation with the investigation, a reference supplied by Mr Noel Morris and serious medical issues confronting Mr Neagoe presently.
The RAD Board also noted their consideration of voluminous material submitted by the parties with respect to the matter. The Board noted they could not make a finding with respect to how the substance came to be present in the horse. The RAD Board also noted their consideration of previous decisions in other jurisdictions including the 2015 Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) RAD Board decision whereby no penalty was imposed in the matter of trainer Matt Laurie.
The RAD Board ordered that Hot Shot Woman be disqualified from the race and that the places be amended accordingly.
