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 trainer Mr Chris Hunter.
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 Hunter related to a post-race urine sample collected from the horse ‘Lazy Sunday’ after it won Race 2, the ‘Warragul and District Light Harness Club Trotters Handicap’, at Warragul on 23 March 2015.
Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported that analysis of the urine sample revealed the sample to contain the prohibited substance ibuprofen.
The Racing Science Centre in Queensland reported confirmation of this finding in the reserve portion of the relevant urine sample.
Mr Hunter pleaded guilty to the charge before submissions on penalty were heard from HRV Stewards and Mr Hunter.
In deciding an appropriate penalty, the HRV RAD Board considered the general sentencing principles, the nature of the substance involved, other previous cases involving the substance throughout Australia in standardbred and thoroughbred matters, Mr Hunter’s explanation that whilst he had previously used (upon prescription by a vet) the substance in a therapeutic manner on his horse some months before the swab, he had not in recent times used the substance.
The HRV RAD Board also considered Mr Hunter’s early guilty plea, co-operation throughout the investigation and his excellent record throughout his approximate 45 year involvement as a trainer in
the industry.
The RAD Board also considered the significant contributions that Mr Hunter has made to the industry in the field of education and a number of personal references supplied in support of his character and contribution to the industry.
In considering all of these matters, the HRV RAD Board imposed a fine of $5,000 and ordered that $1,000 of this fine be suspended under the provisions of ARHR 256(5).
The HRV RAD Board also ordered that ‘Lazy Sunday' be disqualified from Race 2 at Warragul on 23 March 2015 and that the finishing places be amended accordingly.
HRV RAD Board Panel – Brian Collis QC, Paul Connolly