INQUIRY – PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE – TRAINER G (GRAEME) HOWARD (SMART PLAY)
HRSA Stewards have concluded an Inquiry into the circumstances that Cobalt was detected in the pre-race urine taken from the registered horse SMART PLAY prior to Race 9 at Mt Gambier on Friday 4 March 2022.
Evidence was heard from Trainer Mr Graeme Howard on 23 August 2022 and 6 September 2022.
Mr Howard was charged with an offence under Rule 190 parts (1), (2) and (4) in that being the Trainer of the registered horse SMART PLAY on 4 March 2022 at Mt Gambier he did present SMART PLAY to contest Race 9 – Troy Bull MP Pace 1700M when not free of a prohibited substance, namely Cobalt.
Mr. Howard pleaded guilty to the charge.
Mr Howard’s Trainers licence was suspended for a period of twelve months effective from 1 July 2022. Stewards also ordered that the Trainer not hold a pecuniary interest in any horse starting at a race meeting during the period of the suspension.
In determining the penalty Stewards acknowledged;
- Mr Howard’s early guilty plea to the charge;
- His co-operation throughout the Inquiry;
- Mr Howard’s submission in relation to penalty, including character references provided in support of the Trainer;
- His previous exemplary offence record during fifty years participation including in excess of 100 previous samples; as well as
- Various subjectives including Mr Howard’s support of the MGHRC as a long-term donor and sponsor including support of the Club’s cattle initiative.
Stewards reviewed penalties for similar offences in South Australia and other jurisdictions and consider the penalty recognises the seriousness of the offending and responded to the need for the penalty to act as a general deterrent, in order to uphold the integrity of the harness racing industry.
Mr Howard was informed of his right to appeal the decision.
DISQUALIFICATION OF THE HORSE –
As HRSA Stewards are satisfied that the substance Cobalt at the level reported is a substance prohibited by the Rules, acting in accord with Rule 195 they ordered the registered horse SMART PLAY (placed second) be disqualified from Race 9 held at Mt Gambier on Friday 4 March 2022, the Troy Bell MP PACE.
The placings are amended in accord –
First - 6. IRISH MURPHY
Second - 2. HILLDALE SUNRISE
Third - 3. EL BANCO
Fourth - 4. MAJESTIC REACTOR
Fifth - 1. SHEZ AN ANGEL
FAILURE TO PRODUCE LOGBOOK –
HRSA Stewards found that Mr Howard had failed to respond to the basic provision of Rule 190B (1) and found the Trainer guilty of an offence in not complying with the provisions of Rule 190B (1) & (4) and announced a penalty of a fine of $ 250.
RECOVERY OF COSTS –
Under instruction, HRSA Stewards acting under Rules 310 (1) and (2) order that fees of $ 250 be recovered from the Trainer as part-recovery of costs in regard to the issue of the Certificate of Analysis issued by ChemCentre WA.
GM Loch
Acting Chief Steward HRSA
Friday, 9 September 2022
