|
It is to be noted that the current open Inquiries can be found by the following link: https://www.hrnsw.com.au/racing/stewards/openinquiries
New Inquiries –
1 November 2023 – Mr Dean Chapple – HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Meloxicam was detected in the pre-race blood sample taken from CAYMANGONE prior to race 2, the WEST TAMWORTH LEAGUE CLUB PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Tamworth on Thursday 21 September 2023.
The ‘B’ sample has been confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited in Victoria.
13 November 2023 – Mr Nathan Jack – HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole was detected in the pre-race blood sample taken from SKINNYDIP NZ prior to race 4, the STEEL SUPPLIES PACE (2270 metres) conducted at Wagga on Friday 7 July 2023;
The ‘B’ sample has been confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Inquiries Conducted –
16 November 2023 – HRNSW Stewards concluded an Inquiry into an incident in the race day stalls following the running of Race 6 at the Tamworth Harness Racing Club meeting on Thursday 2 November 2023.
Mr Tom Ison pleaded guilty to three (3) charges issued pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) as follows:
Charge 1- AHRR 231(2);
Charge 2- AHRR 243;
Charge 3- AHRR 231(1)(d).
The following penalties were imposed:
Charge 1 - $5000 Fine;
Charge 2 – No further penalty was issued given the commonality with Charge 1;
Charge 3 – Six (6) Month Suspension which was wholly suspended on the condition that Mr Ison not breach any conduct related Rules in the next two (2) years.
HRNSW Stewards also issued a charge against Mr Brian Elder (Jnr) pursuant to AHRR 231(e). Mr Elder pleaded guilty to the charge and was warned off for nine (9) months.
Further, HRNSW Stewards issued a charge against Mr Andrew Ison pursuant to AHRR 231(2). Mr Ison pleaded guilty to the charge and his licence was suspended for three (3) months, which was wholly suspended on the condition that he does not breach any conduct related Rules for the next two (2) years.
In addition, Stewards issued a charge against Mr Darren Elder pursuant to AHRR 231(1)(e). Mr Elder was found guilty of the charge and he was suspended for a period of four (4) months of which three (3) months was wholly suspended on the condition that he does not breach any conduct related Rules for the next two (2) years.
All four persons were advised of their rights of Appeal. Mr Darren Elder has appealed the decision of HRNSW Stewards.
22 November 2023 – Mr Anthony Schembri – HRNSW Stewards concluded an Inquiry that commenced on 11 October 2023 in relation to reports from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that dobesilate was detected in the following samples;
· Pre-race blood sample taken from the horse ON WHEELS prior to Race 1, the ANDREWS HAULAGE & STOCKFEEDS PACE (1900 metres) conducted at Broken Hill on Saturday 29 January 2022;
· Post-race blood sample taken from the horse KEAYANG BALBOA following its win in Race 1, the ANDREWS HAULAGE & STOCKFEEDS PACE (1900 metres) conducted at Broken Hill on Saturday 29 January 2022;
· Post-race blood sample taken from the horse KEAYANG BALBOA following its win in Race 1, the BROKEN HILL MUSICIANS CLUB PACE (2210 metres) conducted at Broken Hill on Saturday 5 February 2022;
· Post-race urine sample taken from the horse KEAYANG BALBOA following its win in Race 1, the BARRIER TRUTH PACE (2210 metres) conducted at Broken Hill on Saturday 26 March 2022;
The ‘B’ samples for the blood samples were confirmed by the Laboratory of Racing Chemistry in Japan.
The reserve portion and control solution for the urine sample were also confirmed by the Laboratory of Racing Chemistry (LRC) in Japan.
Mr Schembri pleaded guilty to four (4) charges issued by the HRNSW Stewards in relation to the four (4) abovementioned races pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4). Mr Schembri was disqualified for a period of 7 months in relation to each charge to be served concurrently.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, the horses ON WHEELS and KEAYANG BALBOA were disqualified from the abovementioned races.
Mr Schembri has appealed these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.
29 November 2023 – Mr Brad Abbott – HRNSW Stewards conducted an Inquiry in relation to a report from the Australian Government National Measurement Institute (NMI) that Arsenic above the allowable threshold was detected in the post-race urine sample taken from the horse DON BOSTON following its win in race 4, the HOTEL DUDLEY PACE (1730 metres) conducted at Bathurst on Wednesday 5 July 2023.
The ‘B’ sample was confirmed by the ChemCentre in Western Australia.
Mr Abbott pleaded guilty to a charge issued pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4). In respect of that charge, Mr Abbott was convicted, however, Stewards did not impose a penalty on Mr Abbott as they were satisfied to the requisite standard that the detection of Arsenic was consistent with the chronic ingestion of treated wood by DON BOSTON.
Mr Abbott was cautioned that he must take all reasonable measures in future to manage his training establishment and horses to prevent any further prohibited substance matters arising as a result of the wooden fencing at his registered training establishment.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, DON BOSTON was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Appeal Decisions –
3 November 2023 – Mr Will Rixon appealed the decision of HRNSW Stewards to suspend his driver’s licence for a period of 14 days after he was found guilty of a charge issued pursuant to AHRR 163(1)(a)(iii) when driving the horse MONTALBANO in Race 8 at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday 29 October 2023. By decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel the appeal was dismissed and the penalty confirmed.
9 November 2023 – Ms Chloe Formosa appealed the decision of HRNSW Stewards to suspend her driver’s licence for a period of 10 days after she pleaded guilty to a charge issued pursuant to AHRR 163(1)(a)(iii) when driving the horse CHARLIES ACE in Race 7 at Penrith on Thursday 2 November 2023. By decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel the penalty was set aside and Ms Formosa was issued with a reprimand.
30 November 2023 – Mr Andrew Bourke appealed the decision of HRNSW Stewards to suspend his driver’s licence for a period of 28 days after he was found guilty of a charge issued pursuant to AHRR 149(2) when driving the horse THE CREEK in Race 7 at Newcastle on Friday 3 November 2023. By decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel the appeal was dismissed and the penalty confirmed
Mr Bourke has appealed that decision to the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal.
Integrity Information –
During the month of November 2023, HRNSW Integrity department obtained 770 race day samples.
As per normal HRNSW procedure all samples have been submitted for analysis.
Integrity Notices –
· 2 November 2023 – October 2023 Integrity Updates & Information. (original notice at www.hrnsw.com.au)
· 16 November 2023 – Tamworth Steward’s Inquiry. (original notice at www.hrnsw.com.au)
· 30 November 2023 – Mr Brad Abbott- Inquiry Conducted. (original notice at www.hrnsw.com.au)
| 
