Mr Aaron Goadsby - Inquiry Conducted

Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry yesterday in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone and gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone were detected in the post-race urine sample taken from LUVARESCHS following its win in race 8, the HRNSW GUARANTEED 2YO PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Newcastle on Friday 26 May 2023.

The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.

Licensed Trainer Mr Aaron Goadsby was present with his legal representative Mr Matthew Hammond 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.

Having considered the totality of the evidence presented at the Inquiry, HRNSW Stewards were satisfied that the detection of the prohibited substances in the subject urine sample taken from the horse LUVARESCHS had resulted from contamination within the stable environment, rather than a direct administration to that horse.

Mr Goadsby 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 Goadsby was disqualified for a period of 3 months to commence immediately.

In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:

• Mr Goadsby’s 1st prohibited substance matter;
• Class 3 Prohibited Substance;
• The circumstances of this matter;
• Mr Goadsby’s personal, financial and professional subjectives;
• Mr Goadsby’s guilty plea;
• Mr Goadsby’s involvement in the harness racing industry as a licensed trainer and sponsor;
• Mr Goadsby’s harness racing offence record;
• HRNSW Penalty Guidelines.

Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, LUVARESCHS was disqualified from the abovementioned race.

Mr Goadsby was advised of his right to appeal these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.

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 27 racing clubs across the State.  HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.