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Mr Stan Townsend - HRNSW Stewards Inquiry

15 July 2022

On Wednesday 13 July 2022, Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards commenced an Inquiry into reports received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) in relation to the following samples:

Modafinil and Modafinil Acid detected in the post-race urine sample taken from GOOD COP following its win in race 4, the COBBITTY EQUINE FARM PACE (2040 metres) conducted at Parkes on Monday 4 October 2021;

Modafinil Acid detected in the post-race urine sample taken from CLOWNS TO THE LEFT following its win in race 3, the HILLTOPS EQUINE CENTRE PACE (1720 metres) conducted at Young on Tuesday 15 February 2022;

Modafinil detected in the post-race blood sample taken from SPECIAL MEANING following its win in race 6, the SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE (2120 metres) conducted at Dubbo on Friday 18 February 2022.

The reserve portions and control solutions for the urine samples and the ‘B’ sample for the blood sample were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited in Victoria.

Mr Stan Townsend appeared at the Inquiry and presented evidence in relation to his registered training establishment. In addition, licensed Trainer/Driver Mr Nathan Townsend was present and provided evidence to the Inquiry.

A number of documents were entered into evidence at the Inquiry including the Certificates of Analysis in relation to each of the post-race samples and a number of exhibits obtained by HRNSW Stewards, including the analytical results for soil and grass samples obtained from the registered training establishment of Mr Townsend.

HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian, Dr Martin Wainscott, was also present and provided evidence to the Inquiry that the presence of Modafinil and Modafinil Acid could have resulted from contamination within the stable environment.

Mr Stan Townsend pleaded guilty to three (3) charges issued by HRNSW Stewards.

Charge 1- Pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule 190 (1), (2), (3) & (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.

Charge 2- Pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule 190 (1), (2) & (4).

Charge 3- Pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule 190 (1), (2) & (4).

In relation to each charge, Mr Stan Townsend was fined $1,000.

In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following;

The circumstances of this matter including evidence of Dr Wainscott in relation to contamination;
Class 2 Prohibited Substance;
Mr Townsend’s licence history, offence record, training record during a 34 year involvement in the harness racing industry;
Mr Townsend’s personal subjective facts;
No prior prohibited substance offences;
Mr Townsend’s guilty pleas.

Acting under the provisions of Australian Harness Racing Rule 195, the horses GOOD COP, CLOWNS TO THE LEFT and SPECIAL MEANING were disqualified from the abovementioned races.

Mr Stan Townsend was advised of his right to appeal these decisions.

In addition, HRNSW Stewards issued a charge against Mr Nathan Townsend pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule 190 (1), (3) & (4).

Mr Nathan Townsend has reserved his plea and following an application for an adjournment to seek legal advice, HRNSW Stewards adjourned that matter until 27 July 2022.

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