On Monday 15 April 2024 Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards resumed an Inquiry that commenced on 31 January 2024 in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole was detected in the post-race urine sample taken from CHANGE OF MIND following its win in Race 6, the SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE (2125 metres) conducted at Penrith on Thursday 5 January 2023.
The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Licensed Trainer Mr Scott Wade was present with his legal representative and provided evidence to the Inquiry. In addition, HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott and Dr John Keledjian from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory were present and provided evidence to the Inquiry.
Mr Wade pleaded guilty to a charge 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.
Following an application from Mr Wade’s legal representative, the Inquiry was adjourned for written penalty submissions to be provided by 4pm on Monday 29 April 2024.
