Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards have concluded an Inquiry in relation to a report from the Australian Government National Measurement Institute (NMI) that Cobalt above the threshold of 100 micrograms per litre in urine was detected in the post-race urine sample taken from DANCIN WITH LUSH following its win in race 1, the ABERMAIN METRO - KAELI HEPWORTH PACING FOR PINK PACE (1980 metres) conducted at Tamworth on Thursday 22 May 2025.
The certificate of analysis issued by the Australian Government National Measurement Institute (NMI) reported a Cobalt level of 110 ug/L (micrograms per litre) in urine with a 9% measurement of uncertainty and the certificate of analysis issued by the ChemCentre reported a Cobalt level of 105 ug/L in urine with a measurement of uncertainty 10 ug/L at the threshold of 100 ug/L.
Consequently, when taking into account the respective measurements of uncertainty, the NMI Cobalt level had a range of 100.1 ug/L to 119.9 ug/L and ChemCentre Cobalt level had a range of 94.5 ug/L to 115.5 ug/L.
Licensed Trainer Mr Jarred Hetherington was present with his legal representative, Mr Jim Murdoch KC. Mr Hetherington provided evidence to the Inquiry in relation to the horse DANCIN WITH LUSH 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 Hetherington pleaded not guilty and was found guilty of 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 Hetherington was disqualified for a period of two (2) years to commence immediately.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:
- Submissions provided by Mr Murdoch KC and Mr Hetherington;
- Mr Hetherington’s involvement in the harness racing industry as a licensed person since the 1998/99 season;
- Mr Hetherington’s training and driving records, together with his harness racing offence record;
- Class 1 Prohibited Substance;
- First prohibited substance offence;
- The levels of cobalt recorded, including the adjusted levels allowing for the measurements of uncertainty;
- Prima facie case;
- References provided by Mr Hetherington;
- The impact of a disqualification upon Mr Hetherington from a personal and financial perspective.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, DANCIN WITH LUSH was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Mr Hetherington was informed of his right to appeal these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
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Name:
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Michael Prentice Clint Bentley
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Position:
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Chief Integrity Officer Chairman of Stewards
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Phone:
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(02) 9722 6600 (02) 9722 6628
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Email:
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mprentice@hrnsw.com.au cbentley@hrnsw.com.au
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