Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry on Friday 20 October 2023 in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Peptides VYSNFLR (T17 fragment), VNFYAWK (T6 fragment) and SLTTLLR (T11 fragment) were detected in the blood sample taken from RED HOT ASSASSIN prior to race 7, the ATWORTHY PARK SYDNEY DRAFT PACE (2270 metres) conducted at Wagga on Friday 3 March 2023.
The ‘B’ sample was confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria at which time peptide YLLEAK (T4 fragment) was also detected.
Licensed Trainer Mr Greg Fleming was present with his 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.
Mr Fleming pleaded guilty to a charge issued by the 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.
Mr Fleming was disqualified for a period of 2 years and 6 months to commence from 2 June 2023, the date upon which he was stood down pursuant to AHRR 183.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:
- Mr Fleming’s personal, professional and financial subjectives;
- The circumstances of this matter;
- Extremely serious nature of the substance;
- Class 1 Prohibited Substance;
- Mr Fleming’s guilty plea;
- Mr Fleming’s first prohibited substance matter;
- Mr Fleming’s involvement in the harness racing industry;
- Mr Fleming’s history as a licensed trainer.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, RED HOT ASSASSIN was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Mr Fleming was advised of his right to appeal these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.
For further information on this matter contact:
HRNSW Integrity Department
(02) 9722 6655
