June has been a busy month for the Harness Racing New South Wales integrity division with a number of cases.

8 June 2022 – Mr Darren Hancock – HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Metformin was detected in the post-race urine sample taken from Master Gouda following its win in race 5, the Bubba Gump Pest Control Pace (1609 metres) conducted at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Tuesday 22 March 2022. The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.

1 June 2022 – Mr Peter Russo was found guilty of a charge issued by HRNSW Stewards pursuant to AHRR 190(1), (2) & (4) following a report from the Queensland Racing Science Centre that Total Plasma Carbon Dioxide above the prescribed threshold had been detected in the pre-race blood sample taken from Divine Diva prior to it running in race 3, the Wards Accounting Group Ladyship Pace (1609 metres) conducted at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday 9 October 2021.

Mr Russo was disqualified for a period of 3 years and 6 months.

The subject horse was disqualified under the provisions of AHRR 195.

Mr Russo has appealed the decision of HRNSW Stewards and was granted a Stay of Proceedings by the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal.

8 June 2022– Mr Matthew Johnstone withdrew an appeal against the decision of HRNSW Stewards to disqualify him for a period of 6 months after he pleaded guilty to a charge issued by HRNSW Stewards pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4) following a report from the from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that synephrine had been detected in the urine sample taken from Jay Peez Official following its win in race 1, Ferndale Distributors Ladyship Pace (2000 metres) conducted at Temora on Tuesday 5 January 2021.
10 June 2022– Mr Blake Hughes withdrew an appeal against the decision of HRNSW Stewards to suspend his driver’s licence for a period of 14 days pursuant to AHRR 155(2) at Newcastle on 22 April 2022.

During the month of June 2022, HRNSW Integrity department obtained 854 Race day samples.

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

from Harness Racing New South Wales

NSW integrity update