Mr David Moran - Inquiry Conducted

Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry yesterday into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Total Plasma Carbon Dioxide above the prescribed threshold was detected in the pre-race blood sample taken from CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD prior to it running in race 6, the BOOTS CIVIL | MILBRAE QUARRIES RIVERINA CHAMPIONSHIPS ENTIRES AND GELDINGS FINAL (LISTED CLASSIC) (2270 metres) conducted at Wagga on Saturday 19 April 2025.

The analysis of the ‘B’ sample was conducted by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.

Licensed Trainer Mr David Moran appeared at the Inquiry and presented evidence in relation to the horse CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD and his registered training establishment.

Mr Domenic Martello, the registered owner of the horse CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD, was also in attendance at the Inquiry and provided submissions in relation to his horse.

A number of documents were entered into evidence at the Inquiry including the Certificates of Analysis in relation to the pre-race blood sample. Dr Adam Cawley, the Science Manager at RASL attended the Inquiry and provided evidence in relation to the analysis of the pre-race blood sample by RASL.

HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian, Dr Martin Wainscott was also present and provided evidence to the Inquiry.

Mr Moran pleaded guilty to two (2) charges issued against him pursuant to the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) as follows:

Charge 1-                     Pursuant to AHRR 190 (1), (2) & (4).

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.

Charge 2-                     Pursuant to AHRR 196C (1)(b) & (2)(a).

AHRR 196C.  (1)   A person must not administer an alkalinising agent in any manner to a horse which is engaged to run in a race:

(a)  at any time on the day of the scheduled race and prior to the start of the race;

                        (b)  at any time within one (1) clear day of the commencement of the race.

(2)  Any person who:-

                        (a)  administers an alkalinising agent;

(b)  attempts to administer an alkalinising agent;

(c)  causes an alkalinising agent to be administered; and/or

(d)  is a party to the administration of, or an attempt to administer, an alkalinising agent contrary to sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.

In relation to those charges, HRNSW Stewards imposed the following penalties:

Charge 1:         12 months disqualification to commence from 8 May 2025, the date upon which Mr Moran was stood down pursuant to AHRR 183.

Charge 2:         6 months disqualification to be served concurrent to the disqualification imposed for Charge 1.

In consideration of an appropriate penalty, HRNSW Stewards were mindful of the following:

• The circumstances of this matter including evidence of Dr Cawley and Wainscott;
• Mr Moran’s licence history, offence record, training and driving records during a 25 year involvement in the harness racing industry;
• Mr Moran’s personal, financial and professional subjective facts;
• Mr Moran’s first prohibited substance matter;
• Class 2 Prohibited Substance;
• The status of the subject race;
• Mr Moran’s guilty pleas.

Mr Moran was informed of his right to appeal the decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.

Following consideration of submissions provided by Mr Martello and pursuant to AHRR 195 and AHRR 196C (3), CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD was disqualified from the abovementioned race.

Mr Martello was informed of his right to appeal this decision of the HRNSW Stewards.

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