Harness Racing New South Wales today concluded an inquiry into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory that plasma Total Carbon Dioxide (TCO2) above the prescribed threshold was detected in a pre-race blood sample taken from Ihitthegroundrunning prior to racing at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Friday, January 9 2015.
The “B” sample was confirmed by the Racing Science Centre in Queensland.
Trainer Damien Gallagher had previously pleaded not guilty to a charge pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule 190 (1), (2) and (4) in that he did present Ihitthegroundrunning not free of a prohibited substance.
Gallagher was found guilty in respect of the charge under Rule 190 (1), (2) & (4) and was disqualified for 25 years to commence from January 15 2015, the date upon which he was stood down.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following;
This was Gallagher’s sixth offence for Prohibited Substance offences;
The level of 38.6 mmol/L detected;
Gallagher’s licence history and other personal subjective facts.
Acting under the provisions of Rule 195, Ihitthegroundrunning was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
-
HRNSW Media