HARNESS Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an inquiry yesterday into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory that plasma Total Carbon Dioxide (TCO2) above the prescribed threshold was detected in a pre-race blood sample taken from the horse THE DEFIANT prior to race 1, the ABS SHEET METAL SERVICES PACE (2140m) at Bankstown on Friday 21 June 2019.
Mr Gatt appeared at the inquiry. Evidence including the Reports of Analysis was presented to the inquiry. Evidence was also taken from Mr Gatt regarding the horse THE DEFIANT, his husbandry practices and circumstances preceding the race. Evidence was also presented to the inquiry by HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian, Dr Martin Wainscott.
CHARGE 1
Mr Gatt pleaded guilty to a charge issued pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4) for presenting THE DEFIANT to race not free of a prohibited substance.
In determining the charge against Mr Gatt, Stewards relied upon Australian Harness Racing Rules 191 (1) & (3) as the second certificate from Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria reported a plasma Total Carbon Dioxide (TCO2) level of 36.6 mmol/L.
Mr Gatt was disqualified for a period of 2 years and 3 months to commence from 26 June 2019 the date upon which he was stood down.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following;
- This was Mr Gatt’s 2nd Prohibited Substance offence;
- Class 2 Prohibited Substance;
- Mr Gatt’s licence history, offence record and other personal subjective facts;
- The fact that this charge was based upon prima facie evidence in relation to the first certificate issued by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory.
Acting under the provisions of Rule 195, THE DEFIANT was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Mr Gatt was advised of his right to appeal these decisions.
CHARGE 2
HRNSW Stewards also issued a charge against Mr Gatt pursuant to AHRR 196C (1)(b) & (2)(a) for administering the alkalinising agents bicarb soda and Neutrolene to the horses THE DEFIANT, FASHION MISS and KAYBEE STARZZZ within one (1) clear day of the commencement of races for which those horses were engaged.
Mr Gatt pleaded guilty and was disqualified for a period of 3 months to commence from 26 June 2019, the date upon which he was stood down. HRNSW Stewards ordered that this period of disqualification be served concurrently to the period of disqualification imposed in relation to Charge 1.
Acting under the provisions of Rule 196C (3), the horses THE DEFIANT, FASHION MISS and KAYBEE STARZZZ were disqualified from their respective races at Bankstown on Friday 21 June 2019.
Mr Gatt was advised of his 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.
HRNSW INTEGRITY CONTACTS:
MICHAEL PRENTICE | INTEGRITY MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 • mprentice@hrnsw.com.au
GRANT ADAMS | CHAIRMAN OF STEWARDS
(02) 9722 6600 • gadams@hrnsw.com.au
