On 5 February 2025, Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards commenced an Inquiry in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole was detected in the post-race urine sample taken from GANDALF NZ following its win in Race 3, the NEW ERA TECHNOLOGY PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Newcastle on Friday 5 January 2024.
The reserve portions and control solutions were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Licensed Trainer Mr Clayton Harmey was present and provided evidence to the Inquiry in relation to the horse GANDALF NZ and his registered training establishment.
In addition, the certificates of Analysis and evidence from HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott were presented to the Inquiry.
Mr Harmey 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.
HRNSW Stewards adjourned the Inquiry for consideration in relation to the matter of penalty. On 6 February 2025, Mr Harmey was advised that HRNSW Stewards had imposed a disqualification for a period of 6 months to commence immediately.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following;
- Mr Harmey’s personal, professional and financial subjectives;
- The circumstances of this matter;
- Serious nature of the substance;
- Class 2 Prohibited Substance;
- Mr Harmey’s guilty plea;
- Mr Harmey’s harness racing offence record and involvement as a trainer/driver in the harness racing industry for 29 years;
- Mr Harmey’s first prohibited substance offence.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, GANDALF NZ was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Mr Harmey was advised of his right to Appeal these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.
Mr Harmey requested further consideration by Stewards of the start date for the period of disqualification, following a request received from him on 1 January 2025 to be stood down from that date after not renewing his Trainer’s Licence for the 2025 season.
Following the determination of a similar issue by the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal in the appeal decision in the matter of Mr Scott Wade which was provided on 5 March 2025, HRNSW Stewards have informed Mr Harmey that the start date for the 6 month disqualification is 6 February 2025.
Mr Harmey was again advised of his right to Appeal this decision of the HRNSW Stewards.
