Michael Day Jnr outed for 18 months

The Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board today heard a matter in regards to a charge issued by HRV Stewards under Australian Rule of Harness Racing (ARHR) 190(1) against licensed NSW trainer Mr Michael Day (Jnr).

ARHR 190(1) reads as follows:

 A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.

The charge under ARHR 190(1) issued by HRV Stewards against Mr Day related to a pre-race blood sample collected from the horse ‘Fake Art’ prior to it placing 2nd in Race 9, the ‘Cobram Lions Club Pace’, at Cobram on 7 May 2015.

Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported that analysis of the blood sample revealed the sample to contain a prohibited substance, namely alkalinising agents as evidenced by a total carbon dioxide (TCO2 ) concentration in excess of 36.0mmol/L in plasma.

The Racing Science Centre in Queensland reported confirmation of this finding in the reserve portion of the relevant blood sample.

Mr Day pleaded guilty to the charge before the HRV RAD Board heard submissions on penalty from the HRV Stewards and Mr Day.

In deciding an appropriate penalty, the HRV RAD Board considered the nature of the substance involved, other previous cases involving the substance in Victoria, Mr Day’s evidence that he could not explain the finding, Mr Day’s early guilty plea and cooperation throughout the investigation, Mr Day’s offence record in that he had previously breached the same rule in 2006 for an elevated TCO2 level and his licence history in that he had held a training licence for a period of approximately 10 years and been involved in the sport for an even longer period.

In considering all of these matters, the HRV RAD Board imposed an 18 month disqualification upon Mr Day (Jnr).

The RAD Board ordered the disqualification commence with immediate effect.

The HRV RAD Board also ordered that ‘Fake Art’ be disqualified from Race 9 at Cobram on 7 May 2015 and that the finishing places be amended accordingly.

Harness Racing Victoria