The latest on integrity in NSW

There has been some busy times in the integrity space in the New South Wales harness racing scene including 937 race day samples taken during October. Here is the latest:

New Inquiries

• 14 October 2021 – Mrs Stacie Elliott – 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 was detected in the urine samples taken from; CLASSIC ARC following its win in race 5, the HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY JORDAN MURPHY PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Newcastle on Friday 3 September 2021; and MAGIC SHOOS following its win in race 9, the TAB VENUE MODE PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Newcastle on Friday 3 September 2021
• 14 October 2021 – Mr Peter Russo – HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Total Plasma Carbon Dioxide above the prescribed threshold was 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.
• 14 October 2021 – Mr Bruce Fox – HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Prilocaine and Lignocaine was detected in the urine sample taken from the horse TARAMIN following its win in race 8, the SOMERSBY CIDER PACE (2125 metres) conducted at Penrith on Thursday 1 April 2021.

Inquiries Concluded

• 1 October 2021 – Mr Andrew Cassell pleaded guilty to a charge issued pursuant to Rule 190 (1), (2) & (4) for presenting POPPY FRANCO to race not free of a prohibited substance, namely synephrine, in Race 3 at Parkes on Tuesday 26 January 2021. In respect of that charge, Stewards recorded a conviction, however, did not impose a penalty on Mr Cassell as they were satisfied that the detection of synephrine had resulted from environmental contamination. The subject horse was disqualified under the provisions of AHRR 195.  (original notice at www.hrnsw.com.au)
• 1 October 2021 – Mr Andrew Ison pleaded guilty to a charge issued pursuant to Rule 190 (1), (2) & (4) for presenting CHRISTIAN SHANNON to race not free of a prohibited substance, namely synephrine, in Race 2 at Tamworth on Wednesday 17 February 2021. In respect of that charge, Stewards recorded a conviction, however, did not impose a penalty on Mr Ison as they were satisfied that the detection of synephrine had resulted from environmental contamination. The subject horse was disqualified under the provisions of AHRR 195. (original notice at www.hrnsw.com.au)
• 6 October 2021 – Mr Kevin Pizzuto was found guilty to a charge issued pursuant to Rule 190 (1), (2) & (4) for presenting ACCELERE NZ to race not free of a prohibited substance, namely triamcinolone acetonide, in Race 6 at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Tuesday 9 March 2021. In respect of that charge, a fine of $5000 ($2000 suspended for a period of 2 years) was imposed. The subject horse was disqualified under the provisions of AHRR 195.  (original notice at www.hrnsw.com.au)
• 15 October 2021 – Mr David Reichstein pleaded guilty and was disqualified for a period of 3 months following a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that sotalol and temazepam were detected in the urine sample taken from JO JO ZIP following its win in race 5, the J O’SULLIVAN & SONS PACE (1770 metres) conducted at Canberra on Monday 9 November 2020. The subject horse was disqualified under the provisions of AHRR 195. (original notice at www.hrnsw.com.au)
• 20 October 2021 – Mr Sam Hewitt pleaded guilty to a charge issued pursuant to Rule 190 (1), (2) & (4) for presenting FLYING BANYULA to race not free of a prohibited substance, namely O-desmethylvenlafaxine and O-desmethyltramadol, in Race 2 at Tamworth on Wednesday 17 February 2021. In respect of that charge, a conviction was recorded, however, Stewards did not impose a penalty on Mr Hewitt as they were satisfied that the detection of O-desmethylvenlafaxine and O-desmethyltramadol had resulted from contamination within the stable environment beyond his control. The subject horse was disqualified under the provisions of AHRR 195.

Appeal Decision

• 25 October 2021– Mr James McPherson appealed the decision of HRNSW Stewards to suspend his licence for a period of 10 days following a breach of AHRR 163(1)(a)(iii) (Interference) when driving IMAPEST in Race 5 at Leeton on 6 July 2021. The appeal was dismissed by the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal and the penalty was amended to 15 days. (appeal decision at www.hrnsw.com.au)
• 25 October 2021– Mr James McPherson appealed the decision of HRNSW Stewards to suspend his licence for a period of 14 days following a breach of AHRR 163(1)(a)(iii) (Interference) when driving ISNTTHATRIGHT in Race 5 at Wagga on 9 July 2021. The appeal was dismissed by the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal and the penalty remained the same. (appeal decision at www.hrnsw.com.au)

Integrity Information

• During the month of October, HRNSW Integrity department has obtained 937 Race day samples.

Integrity Notices

The current open inquiries can be found by clicking here.

The below integrity updates can be found by clicking here.

• 5 October 2021 – Mr Andrew Cassell Inquiry Conducted.
• 5 October 2021 – Mr Andrew Ison Inquiry Conducted.
• 5 October 2021 – September Integrity Updates & Information.
• 8 October 2021 – Mr Kevin Pizzuto Inquiry Conducted.
• 14 October 2021 – Classic Arc & Magic Shoos- Sample Irregularities.
• 14 October 2021 – Divine Diva Sample Irregularity.
• 14 October 2021 – Taramin Positive Sample.
• 14 October 2021 – Arrival Times Elevated TCO2 Levels.
• 19 October 2021 – Mr David Reichstein Inquiry Conducted.
• 22 October 2021 – Trainer Stood Down- Mr Peter Russo.
• 22 October 2021 – Trainer Stood Down- Mrs Stacie Elliott.
• 25 October 2021 – Retention Facility NSW Breeder’s Challenge 2YO C&G Final.
• 25 October 2021 – Mrs Stacie Elliott – Stay Granted.