Three trainers disqualified for breaching prohibited substance rules

Harness racing trainers Chris Frisby, Greg Fleming and Leon Jurd have all been disqualified in the past week for after breaching prohibited substance rules.

Greg Fleming’s term of disqualification was the longest being two and a half years commencing from June 2nd 2023, while Chris Frisby got 8 months and Leon Jury 3 months.

Details Below:

Mr Greg Fleming – Inquiry Conducted

Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry on Friday 20 October 2023 in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Peptides VYSNFLR (T17 fragment), VNFYAWK (T6 fragment) and SLTTLLR (T11 fragment) were detected in the blood sample taken from RED HOT ASSASSIN prior to race 7, the ATWORTHY PARK SYDNEY DRAFT PACE (2270 metres) conducted at Wagga on Friday 3 March 2023.

The ‘B’ sample was confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria at which time peptide YLLEAK (T4 fragment) was also detected.

Licensed Trainer Mr Greg Fleming was present with his legal representative and provided evidence to the Inquiry. In addition, the Certificates of Analysis and evidence from HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott were presented to the Inquiry.

Mr Fleming pleaded guilty to a charge issued by the HRNSW Stewards pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (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.

Mr Fleming was disqualified for a period of 2 years and 6 months to commence from 2 June 2023, the date upon which he was stood down pursuant to AHRR 183.

In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:

• Mr Fleming’s personal, professional and financial subjectives;
• The circumstances of this matter;
• Extremely serious nature of the substance;
• Class 1 Prohibited Substance;
• Mr Fleming’s guilty plea;
• Mr Fleming’s first prohibited substance matter;
• Mr Fleming’s involvement in the harness racing industry;
• Mr Fleming’s history as a licensed trainer.

Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, RED HOT ASSASSIN was disqualified from the abovementioned race.

Mr Fleming was advised of his right to appeal these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.

Mr Chris Frisby- Inquiry Conducted

Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry today in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory that Levamisole was  detected in the post-race urine sample taken from the horse UNCLE CRAIGO following its win in race 1, the AMBOS STOCKFEEDS MAIDEN PACE (2100 metres) conducted at Young on Sunday 28 November 2021.

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

Licensed Trainer Mr Chris Frisby was present and provided evidence to the Inquiry. In addition, the Certificates of Analysis and evidence from HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott were presented to the Inquiry.

Evidence was presented to the Inquiry by Mr Frisby regarding the use of sheep worming drenches on his registered training property that contained levamisole.

Mr Frisby pleaded guilty to a charge issued by HRNSW Stewards pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (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.

Mr Frisby was disqualified for a period of 8 months to commence immediately.

In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:

• Mr Frisby’s personal and financial subjectives;
• The circumstances of this matter;
• Serious nature of the substance;
• Class 2 Prohibited Substance;
• Mr Frisby’s guilty plea;
• Mr Frisby’s involvement as a trainer/driver and sponsor in the harness racing industry;
• Mr Frisby’s prohibited substance offence record.

Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, UNCLE CRAIGO was disqualified from the abovementioned race.

Mr Frisby was advised of his right to Appeal these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.

Mr Leon Jurd – Inquiry Conducted

Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry today in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that flunixin was detected in the pre-race blood sample taken from MELPARK MAGIC prior to race 1, the CHARIOTS OF FIRE 18 FEB TROTTERS MOBILE (1609 metres) conducted at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Tuesday 31 January 2023.

The ‘B’ sample was confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.

Licensed Trainer Mr Leon Jurd was present and provided evidence to the Inquiry, together with stable employee Mrs Stephanie Morris. In addition, the Certificates of Analysis and evidence from HRNSW Assistant Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Annie Knox were presented to the Inquiry.

Mr Jurd was unable to provide an explanation for the detection of flunixin in the pre-race blood sample taken from MELPARK MAGIC.

Mr Jurd pleaded guilty to a charge issued by the HRNSW Stewards pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (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.

Mr Jurd was disqualified for a period of 3 months to commence immediately.

In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:

• Mr Jurd’s 1st prohibited substance matter;
• Class 3 Prohibited Substance;
• Mr Jurd’s personal and financial subjectives;
• Mr Jurd’s guilty plea;
• Mr Jurd’s involvement in the harness racing industry for approximately 40 years as a licensed trainer and driver;
• Mr Jurd’s harness racing offence record;
• HRNSW Penalty Guidelines.

Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, MELPARK MAGIC was disqualified from the abovementioned race.

Mr Jurd was advised of his right to appeal these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.

For further information on this matter contact:
HRNSW Integrity Department
(02) 9722 6655

From Harness Racing New South Wales