On Friday 20 August 2021, Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards concluded an Inquiry in relation to reports from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole had been detected in the following samples:
- Pre-race blood sample taken from the horse BETTER BRAGGER prior to Race 3 conducted at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Tuesday 11 August 2020;
The ‘B’ sample was confirmed by Racing Analytical Service Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
- Post-race urine sample taken from the horse MANCHEGO following its win in Race 2 conducted at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Monday 31 August 2020.
The ‘B’ sample and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Service Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Licensed Trainer Mr Scott Wade was present and provided evidence to the Inquiry. In addition, HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott and Dr Adam Cawley from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory were present and provided evidence to the Inquiry. Dr Derek Major also provided evidence on behalf of Mr Wade.
Mr Wade was found guilty of two (2) charges 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 relation to each charge, Mr Wade was disqualified for a period of 9 months to be served concurrently, to commence from 25 March 2021 the date upon which he was stood down pursuant to AHRR 183.
As a result of Mr Wade continuing to perform licensed duties pursuant to a Stay of the AHRR 183 suspension issued by the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal from 10 May 2021 until 20 August 2021, the expiration of the disqualification period is 6 April 2022.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following;
- Mr Wade’s personal subjectives;
- Mr Wade’s not guilty pleas;
- Mr Wade’s involvement as a trainer/driver in the harness racing industry;
- Mr Wade’s first prohibited substance offences;
- The impact of a disqualification upon Mr Wade from a personal and financial perspective.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, BETTER BRAGGER and MANCHEGO were disqualified from the abovementioned races.
Mr Wade has appealed against these decisions of HRNSW Stewards.
