Harness racing trainer says substance administered was not banned

A prominent amateur harness racing driver admits to breaking the rules by administering a substance on race day, but says the substance was not illegal.

Sheryl Wigg, an Auckland-based amateur driver and trainer dubbed “strike rate Sheryl” by a harness racing news site, had three horses scratched from separate races at the Auckland Trotting Club meet at Alexandra Park last month.

Racing Integrity Board investigators allegedly saw her administer a substance to a horse that day. Under harness racing rules, horses are not allowed to be administered any substance on race day.

Restaurateur Leo Molloy, who is acting as an advocate for Wigg, said samples taken from the horses came back negative for any banned substances.

A Racing Integrity Board report reveals investigators saw Wigg and the three horses – Getn Wiggy Withit, Saint Michel, and Happy Place – at her stables in Kumeu on July 17.

They watched her allegedly drench Getn Wiggy Withit orally three to four times with a large white plastic syringe.

The other two horses were tethered next to the horse boxes but were obscured from view.

The investigators confronted Wigg and she admitted giving Getn Wiggy Withit a solution of glucose, turmeric, and water. She denied oral drenching the other two horses and said she had mixed the same solution in a bucket and let the two horses drink from it.

The board’s report said Wigg was likely to be charged with three counts of administering a substance on race day.

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by Sam Sherwood

for Stuff