November Integrity Updates & Information

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

 

• 11 November 2024 – Mr Phillip Martin – HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that 3-hydroxybupivacaine has been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from SLIPPIN THE LIFE following its win in Race 5, the VALE KEN PARKER (1770 metres) conducted at Albury on Tuesday 6 August 2024.

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

 

• 21 November 2024 – Mr Shannon Rye – HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Government National Measurement Institute (NMI) that Cobalt above the threshold of 100 micrograms per litre in urine has been detected in the urine sample taken from BARRYS ROSE following its win in race 7, the BOURKES HORSE RUGS PACE (1660 metres) conducted at Parkes on Friday 18 October 2024.

The reserve portion and control solution have been sent to the ChemCentre in Western Australia for confirmation.

 

Inquiries Concluded

 

• 21 November 2024– Mr Anthony Butt & Ms Sonya Smith – Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Metformin was detected in the post-race urine sample taken from HOT TO TROT NZ following its win in race 5, the OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS @ APG SALES TROTTERS MOBILE (2300 metres) conducted at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Tuesday 18 June 2024.

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

Mr Butt & Ms Smith pleaded guilty to a charge issued against them pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4).

In respect of that charge, pursuant to AHRR 256(6) Stewards determined that a conviction would be recorded, however, Stewards did not impose a penalty on Mr Butt and Ms Smith as they were satisfied to the requisite standard that the detection of metformin had resulted from environmental contamination.

Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, HRNSW Stewards disqualified HOT TO TROT NZ from the abovementioned race.

Mr Butt and Ms Smith were cautioned that they must take all steps to ensure in future that horses were not exposed to the contaminated water at their registered training establishment and to ensure that their horses are presented in accordance with the Rules.

 

• 21 November 2024– Mr Paul Tonkin – Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Tapentadol was detected in the urine sample taken from LITTLE ARTY MISS following its win in race 3, the SUCCESS STUD PACE (1740 metres) conducted at Wagga on Friday 1 March 2024.

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

Mr Tonkin pleaded guilty to a charge issued against him pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4).

Mr Tonkin was disqualified for a period of 18 months to commence immediately.

Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, LITTLE ARTY MISS was disqualified from the abovementioned race.

Mr Tonkin has appealed the decision of HRNSW Stewards in relation to penalty and has applied for a Stay of Proceedings.

 

Appeal Decisions

 

• 15 November 2024 – Ms Keali Hepworth appealed the decision of HRNSW Stewards to suspend her driver’s licence for a period of 14 days after she pleaded guilty to a charge issued pursuant to AHRR 163(1)(a)(iii) when driving the horse OAK RIDGE in Race 3 at Tamworth on Thursday 31 October 2024.

Ms Hepworth changed her plea and appealed against the breach and penalty imposed by HRNSW Stewards.

By decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel, the appeal against the breach was dismissed and the appeal against penalty was upheld. The 14 day suspension was set aside and Ms Hepworth was issued with a reprimand.

• 18 November 2024 – Mr Danny Mackney appealed the decision of HRNSW Stewards to suspend his driver’s licence for a period of 10 days after he was found guilty of a charge issued pursuant to AHRR 163(1)(a)(iii) when driving the horse TERROR FLYING in Race 6 at Tamworth on Thursday 31 October 2024.

By decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel, the appeal was dismissed and the 10 day suspension confirmed.

 

Integrity Information

 

• During the month of November 2024, HRNSW Integrity department obtained 771 race day samples.

As per normal HRNSW procedure all samples have been submitted for analysis.

 

Integrity Notices

 

• 15 November 2024 – Arrival Times Elevated TCO2 Levels as at 15/11/24.
• 18 November 2024 – Arrival Times Elevated TCO2 Levels as at 18/11/24.
• 19 November 2024 – October 2024 Integrity Updates & Information.
• 20 November 2024 – Interim Suspension- Jack Brown & Lucas Rando.
• 21 November 2024 – Suspended- Neville Hargraves & Paul Sapio.
•  28 November 2024 – Mr Paul Tonkin- Inquiry Conducted.
• 28 November 2024 – Mr Anthony Butt & Ms Sonya Smith- Inquiry Conducted.

All notices can be found here

 

If anyone requires further information please contact HRNSW Integrity Department on (02) 9722 6600.