Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an inquiry today into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory that triamcinolone acetonide had been detected in the blood sample taken from TAIHAPE SUNSET NZ following its win in race 3, the BAKERS EARTHMOVING WINDMILL HEAT 3 (1720m) at Dubbo on Wednesday November 15, 2017.
Ms Turnbull appeared at the inquiry represented by solicitor, Mr Hammond.
Evidence including the Reports of Analysis and expert evidence from HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott was presented.
Evidence was also provided to the inquiry by Ms Turnbull regarding a procedure conducted upon TAIHAPE SUNSET NZ by a registered veterinarian.
Ms Turnbull had previously informed HRNSW Stewards of this procedure on October 31, 2017, the date upon which the procedure occurred.
Ms Turnbull pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to Rule 190 (1), (2) & (4) for presenting TAIHAPE SUNSET NZ to race not free of a prohibited substance.
Ms Turnbull was disqualified for a period of three months to commence immediately.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:
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This was Ms Turnbull’s first prohibited substance offence;
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Ms Turnbull’s guilty plea;
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Circumstances of this matter;
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Class 3 Prohibited Substance;
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Ms Turnbull’s offence record, training record and other personal subjective facts, including ambassadorial and charity roles.
Acting under the provisions of Rule 195, TAIHAPE SUNSET NZ was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Taihape Sunset – Disqualified
FOLLOWING the recent disqualification of TAIHAPE SUNSET NZ following its win in Race 3, the BAKERS EARTHMOVING WINDMILL HEAT 3 (1720m) at Dubbo on November 15, 2017, it has been determined that acting under the provisions of Rule 195A, TAIHAPE SUNSET NZ will also be disqualified following its win in Race 7, the 3D BUTCHERY GILGANDRA WINDMILL FINAL (1720m) at Dubbo on December 3, 2017, and the placings amended to:
1st – SIOTADA
2nd – RED HOT JERRY
3rd – JOGALONG DEE
4th – BIG BILL
Relevant Rules – Disqualification
AHHR 195. A horse which has been presented for a race shall be disqualified from it if blood, urine, saliva, or other matter or sample or specimen taken from the horse is found to contain a prohibited substance.
AHHR 195A. (1) This rule is to apply to any race or series of races which the Controlling Body stipulates in the Conditions of Entry that it shall apply to; such a race or races being a qualifying race for some other race.
(2) If in relation to a race to which this rule applies a blood, urine, saliva or other sample or specimen is taken from a horse when it is presented for such race and a certificate from a person or drug testing laboratory approved by the Controlling Body certifies the presence of a prohibited substance in such specimen or sample then the horse shall be immediately disqualified from participating in any other race for which the race in question provides or provided a qualification for participation.
(3) This rule is to have effect and to be conclusive irrespective of whether further testing procedures or other circumstances establish that the horse was presented for the race free of any prohibited substances.
Ms Amanda Turnbull was advised of her right to appeal this decision.
MICHAEL PRENTICE | INTEGRITY MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 • mprentice@hrnsw.com.au
GRANT ADAMS | CHAIRMAN OF STEWARDS
(02) 9722 6600 • gadams@hrnsw.com.au