Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards concluded an Inquiry today in relation to reports from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole was detected in the post-race urine samples taken from;
- BLACK EDITION NZ following its win in race 8, the DFK CROSBIE PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Newcastle on Saturday 12 December 2020;
- BLACK EDITION NZ following its win in race 1, the STAY SAFE, STAY HOME PACE (1720 metres) conducted at Penrith on Wednesday 30 December 2020.
The reserve portions and control solutions were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Licensed Trainer Mrs KerryAnn Morris was present with her legal representative and provided evidence to the Inquiry. In addition, the certificates of Analysis and evidence from HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott were presented to the Inquiry. Dr Derek Major also provided evidence on behalf of Mrs Morris.
Evidence was also presented to the Inquiry from New Zealand licensed Trainer Mr Ken Barron regarding the use of Matrix-C, a product containing levamisole, which was administered to the horse BLACK EDITION on 15 November 2020.
Further evidence including published studies and the report of an administration trial conducted by HRNSW were also presented to the Inquiry. These studies and report all provide for a detection time of no more than 6 days for levamisole.
Mrs Morris pleaded guilty to two (2) charges issued by HRNSW Stewards pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4) as follows:
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.
Mrs Morris was disqualified for a period of 6 months to commence immediately.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:
- Mrs Morris’ personal, professional and financial subjectives;
- The circumstances of this matter;
- Serious nature of the substance;
- Prohibited Substance;
- Mrs Morris’ guilty pleas;
- Mrs Morris’ involvement as a trainer/driver in the harness racing industry, together with her charity and ambassadorial roles.
- Mrs Morris’ first prohibited substance offence for which a penalty has been imposed.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, BLACK EDITION NZ was disqualified from the abovementioned races.
Mrs Morris was advised of her right to Appeal these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.
For further information on this matter contact:
HRNSW Integrity Department
(02) 9722 6655
