HARNESS Racing New South Wales Stewards conducted an inquiry on February 5, 2018, into a report received from the Australian Government National Measurement Institute that Arsenic above the threshold had been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from MALICIOUS FELLA following its win in race 3, the QUEANBEYAN PRE MIX CONCRETE PACE (2170m) at Canberra on June 18, 2017.
The ‘B’ sample was confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Mr Turner appeared at the inquiry and presented evidence in relation to his registered training establishment and his husbandry practices.
Evidence was also provided by HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott and HRNSW Investigator Ms Natasha Ackland.
HRNSW Stewards also presented a Reports of Analysis from the National Measurement Institute confirming that wood samples obtained by HRNSW Stewards from Mr Turner’s property contained the substance Arsenic.
The reports also confirmed the presence of copper and chromium in the wood samples and the urine sample obtained from MALICIOUS FELLA on June 18, 2017.
Mr Turner pleaded guilty to a charge issued pursuant to Rule 190 (1), (2) and (4) for presenting MALICIOUS FELLA to race not free of a prohibited substance, being Arsenic above the threshold.
In respect of that charge, Mr Turner was convicted, however, Stewards did not impose a penalty on Mr Turner as they were satisfied to the requisite standard that the detection of Arsenic was consistent with the ingestion of Copper Chromium Arsenate (CCA) treated wood.
The results of the analytical testing conducted on the wood and urine samples were consistent with the results of a study conducted by the University of Melbourne to research the levels of arsenic in horses that had ingested a known amount of CCA treated timber sawdust.
Mr Turner was cautioned that he must take all reasonable measures in future to manage his training establishment and horses to ensure that his horses were presented in accordance with the Rules.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:
-
The results reported by NMI and RASL;
-
The evidence presented by Mr Turner and Dr Wainscott;
-
Mr Turner’s licence history and other personal subjective facts.
Acting under the provisions of Rule 195, MALICIOUS FELLA was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
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.
For further information please contact:
MICHAEL PRENTICE | INTEGRITY MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 • mprentice@hrnsw.com.au
GRANT ADAMS | CHAIRMAN OF STEWARDS
(02) 9722 6600 • gadams@hrnsw.com.au
