On Monday 3 June 2024, Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry into a report received from the National Measurement Institute (NMI) that Cobalt above the threshold of 100 micrograms per litre in urine was detected in the urine sample taken from BLUE SUEDE ROCKA following its win in race 4, the HALLOWEEN @ CLUB PACWAY OCTOBER 27 & 28 PACE (1720 metres) conducted at Penrith on Thursday 12 October 2023.
The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by the ChemCentre in Western Australia.
Trainer Mr Peter Tanti, together with his father Mr Greg Tanti, appeared at the Inquiry and provided evidence in relation to the horse BLUE SUEDE ROCKA. In addition, the Certificates of Analysis and evidence from HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott were also presented to the Inquiry.
Mr Peter Tanti 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.
Mr Peter Tanti was disqualified for a period of 3 years 9 months to commence from 7 February 2024 the date upon which he was stood down pursuant to AHRR 183.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:
- Mr Tanti’s 2nd prohibited substance matter;
- Class 1 Prohibited Substance;
- Mr Tanti’s personal subjectives;
- Mr Tanti’s guilty plea;
- Mr Tanti’s involvement in the harness racing industry for approximately 24 years as a licensed trainer;
- Mr Tanti’s harness racing offence record, including previous periods of disqualification;
- HRNSW Penalty Guidelines.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, BLUE SUEDE ROCKA was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Mr Peter Tanti was advised of his right to appeal the decision of the HRNSW Stewards.
In addition, HRNSW Stewards issued a direction to Mr Greg Tanti to provide his phone records for the day of the subject race being Thursday 12 October 2023.
