Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards today finalised an Inquiry into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that alpha-hydroxy metoprolol had been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from OUR CHANCE TODREAM following its win in Race 7, the WOLF BLASS PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Newcastle on Friday 27 May 2022.
The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited in Victoria.
Mr Dennis Lindsay appeared at the Inquiry and presented evidence in relation to his registered training establishment.
A number of documents were entered into evidence at the Inquiry including the Certificates of Analysis in relation to the post-race sample and a number of exhibits obtained by HRNSW Stewards, including the medical history for Mr Lindsay and his wife.
HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian, Dr Martin Wainscott, was also present and provided evidence to the Inquiry that the presence of alpha-hydroxy metoprolol most likely resulted from contamination within the stable environment.
Mr Dennis Lindsay pleaded guilty to a charge issued by HRNSW Stewards pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rules 190 (1), (2) & (4) as follows:
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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.
(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.
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Mr Dennis Lindsay was fined $2000.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following;
- The circumstances of this matter including evidence of Dr Wainscott in relation to contamination;
- Class 2 Prohibited Substance;
- Mr Lindsay’s licence history, offence and training record during a 22 year involvement in the harness racing industry;
- Mr Lindsay’s personal subjective facts;
- No prior prohibited substance offences;
- Mr Lindsay’s guilty plea.
- Previous Industry Notices regarding the use of domestic septic sewer systems
Acting under the provisions of Australian Harness Racing Rule 195, OUR CHANCE TODREAM was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Mr Dennis Lindsay was advised of his right to appeal this decision.
