Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry yesterday in relation to a report from the Australian Government National Measurement Institute (NMI) that Cobalt above the threshold of 100 micrograms per litre in urine had been detected in the urine sample taken from;
- MONDOS EAGLE following its win in race 5, THE PUB GROUP TAMWORTH PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Tamworth on Thursday 23 September 2021.
The ‘B’ sample was confirmed by the Chemcentre in Western Australia.
Licensed Trainer Mr Peter Hedges and HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott were present and provided evidence to the Inquiry. Results of analysis for samples obtained from Mr Hedges’ registered training establishment and documents provided by Furney’s Stockfeeds were also entered into evidence.
Mr Hedges pleaded guilty to two (2) charges issued by HRNSW Stewards pursuant to the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) as follows:
Charge 1- Issued pursuant to AHRR 190(1), (2) & (4)
AHRR 190. (1) A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.
(2) If a horse is presented for a race otherwise than in accordance with sub rule (1) the trainer of the horse is guilty of an offence.
(3) If a person is left in charge of a horse and the horse is presented for a race otherwise than in accordance with sub rule (1), the trainer of the horse and the person left in charge is each guilty of an offence.
(4) An offence under sub rule (2) or sub rule (3) is committed regardless of the circumstances in which the prohibited substance came to be present in or on the horse.
Charge 2- Issued pursuant to AHRR 190B(1)(a), (b) & (6)
AHRR 190B (1) A trainer shall at all times keep and maintain a log book:-
(a) listing all therapeutic substances in his or her possession;
(b) recording all details of treatment administered to any horse in his or her care and including as a minimum requirement:
(i) the name of the horse
(ii) the date and time of administration of the treatment
(iii) the name of the treatment (brand name of active constituent)
(iv) the route of administration
(v) the amount given
(vi) the name and signature of the person or persons administering and/or authorising treatment.
(6) A trainer who fails to comply with the provisions of sub-rule (1), (3), (4) or (5) is guilty of an offence.
In relation to Charge 1, HRNSW Stewards were satisfied to the requisite standard that the Cobalt levels recorded in this matter occurred as a result of an error made during the feed manufacturing process. Consequently, pursuant to AHRR 256(6), HRNSW Stewards did not impose a penalty upon Mr Hedges and did not enter a conviction on his offence record.
In relation to Charge 2, HRNSW Stewards imposed a $500 fine.
In considering penalty HRNSW Stewards were mindful of the following;
- Mr Hedges’ personal subjectives;
- The totality of the evidence and circumstances in this matter;
- Mr Hedges’ guilty pleas;
- Mr Hedges’ involvement in the harness racing industry for 20 years as a licensed trainer.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, MONDOS EAGLE was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Mr Hedges was advised of his right to Appeal these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.
