Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards have concluded an Inquiry in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole was detected in both the pre-race blood and post-race urine samples taken from MANHATTAN NZ following its win in race 2, the CONDELL PARK PRODUCE BABY BLING STAKES (1609 metres) conducted at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday 9 March 2024.
The reserve portions and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Licensed Trainer Mr Jack Trainor was present throughout and provided evidence to the Inquiry. Evidence was also presented on behalf of Mr Bob and David Butt, the horse’s previous trainers in New Zealand. In addition, the Certificates of Analysis and evidence from HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott were presented to the Inquiry.
Mr Trainor 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 Trainor was disqualified for a period of 18 months to commence at the completion of his current disqualification and conclude on 20 October 2026, allowing for the time of which Mr Trainor was stood down under Rule 183 prior to being disqualified.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:
- The submissions provided by Mr Trainor;
- The circumstances of this matter;
- Mr Trainor’s involvement in the harness racing industry;
- Mr Trainor’s training record;
- Mr Trainor’s second prohibited substance offence;
- Mr Trainor’s guilty plea;
- Class 2 Prohibited Substance;
- The impact of a disqualification upon Mr Trainor from a personal and financial perspective;
- The remorse shown by Mr Trainor in failing to take use of the HRNSW Elective Testing procedure;
- The evidence of David Butt that Levamisole is used on his property to drench cattle;
- The evidence of Dr Wainscott that he was unable to determine if MANHATTAN NZ was exposed to Levamisole in New Zealand or Australia.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, MANHATTAN NZ was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Mr Trainor was advised of his right to Appeal these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.
