Mr Jamie Kirk - Inquiry Conducted

Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry today into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that dexamethasone was detected in the post-race urine sample obtained from the horse PERUN NZ following its win in Race 7 the CONDELL PARK PRODUCE PACE (1609 metres) at Menangle on Monday 15 September 2025.

The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.

Mr Kirk appeared at the Inquiry and presented evidence in relation to his registered training establishment and the horse PERUN NZ.

HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott attended and provided evidence to the Inquiry. The certificates of analysis issued by ARFL and RASL were also entered into evidence.

Mr Kirk 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.

In consideration of an appropriate penalty, HRNSW Stewards were mindful of the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines in respect of Class 3 Prohibited Substances as follows:

In circumstances where a Trainer has committed their first presentation offence for which a penalty is to be issued by Stewards and it relates to a Class 3 Prohibited Substance, a fine might be considered where each of the following requirements have been satisfied by the Trainer:

• The prohibited substance was prescribed and/or administered by a registered veterinarian; and
• All details relating to the treatment are recorded in the Trainer’s Log Book; and
• The trainer complied with advice from a registered veterinarian regarding the withholding period for the relevant substance; and
• The trainer has complied with all relevant notices issued by HRNSW; and
• Class 3 Prohibited Substance only; and
• First Presentation Offence committed by Trainer that has resulted in a penalty being issued by Stewards.

As a result, HRNSW Stewards were satisfied that Mr Kirk had complied with each of the above requirements and a fine of $3000 was imposed.

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

• Mr Kirk’s first prohibited substance offence;
• Mr Kirk’s offence record, training record and other personal subjective factors.

Pursuant to AHRR 195 PERUN NZ was disqualified from the abovementioned race.

Mr Kirk was informed of his right to appeal these decisions of HRNSW Stewards.

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