On Wednesday 2 September 2015, Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry into an investigation that commenced on Monday 17 August 2015, following the scratching of Heavenly Shades from the Newcastle Harness meeting on that date after a needle mark was observed on the neck of that horse during a stable inspection.
Licensed Trainer, Mr Bruce Birch appeared at the Inquiry and provided evidence.
Evidence of HRNSW Investigator/Steward Mr Chris Paul was also presented to the Inquiry.
Mr. Birch pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 196B (1), (2) & (3) in that he administered an injection to the registered standardbred HEAVENLY SHADES on Sunday 16 August 2015, within one clear day of the commencement of a race for which that horse was nominated.
Mr Birch was disqualified for a period of 5 months to commence immediately.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:
* Seriousness of the offence
* Mr Birch’s early admission and guilty plea.
* The fact that this Rule was only recently introduced
* Mr Birch’s licence history and other personal subjective facts, including personal hardship.
Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 196B(1), (2) & (3) provide:
(1) A person shall not within one (1) clear day of the commencement of a race administer or cause to be administered an injection to a horse nominated for that race.
(2) For the purposes of this Rule, one (1) clear day means the twenty four (24) hour period from 12.01 a.m. to 12 midnight.
(3) A person who fails to comply with Sub-rule 1) is guilty of an offence.
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 31 racing clubs across the State.
HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
Reid Sanders