Trainer suspended for six months – SOTALOL

Racing Queensland (RQ) Stewards today inquired into the circumstances relating to a report received from the Queensland Government Racing Science Centre (RSC) that SOTALOL, a prohibited substance under the Australian Harness Racing Rules, had been detected in a pre race urine sample taken from FAMILY DECISION prior to it competing in Race 1 at Albion Park on 15 January 2016.

Evidence was taken from the registered trainer of FAMILY DECISION, Mr Noel Parrish, who explained the circumstances leading up to the race and the husbandry practices adopted in the days prior.

After considering all the evidence provided, Mr Parrish was charged pursuant to AHR rule 190(1) which reads:

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

The particulars of the charge being that Mr Parrish presented FAMILY DECISION to race at Albion Park on 15 January 2016 when a urine sample taken from that horse was found upon analysis, to contain the prohibited substance SOTALOL.

Mr Parrish was found guilty of the charge as issued.

When assessing the matter of penalty Stewards took into account:

• The nature of the substance concerned
• The particulars of the case
• The licence history of Noel Parrish which indicated one prior breach of this rule over a thirty year period
• The need for a penalty to serve as a deterrent to illustrate that drug free racing is of paramount importance to the integrity of harness racing.

The trainer’s and driver’s licence of Mr Parrish was suspended for a period of six months effective immediately.

Acting under AHR Rule 195, FAMILY DECISION was disqualified from its sixth placing in Race 1 at Albion Park on 15 January 2016.

Mr Parrish was advised of his rights of appeal.

Stewards report – Noel Parrish

D Farquharson, K Wolsey, N Torpey

For more on SOTALOL click here.