RWWA Stewards were advised by the ChemCentre in Perth on 30 November 2015, that cobalt at a concentration in excess of 200 micrograms per litre, being the threshold prescribed in the Harness Rules of Racing (HRR), has been detected in a urine sample taken from ANOTHER VINNIE at Gloucester Park on 30 October 2015 after it had competed in and won Race 7.
This finding has been verified by the Racing Analytical Services Laboratory (RASL).
Upon notification of this irregularity by the ChemCentre, Stewards directed pursuant the Rules of Racing that all horses trained by Mr Coulson be withdrawn and barred from racing until such time as the investigations and inquiry are completed, unless otherwise directed by the Stewards.
Further acting under Harness Rule 183 (d) the Stewards also directed that all licences held by Mr Coulson with RWWA be suspended forthwith pending the outcome of the Stewards inquiry.
As part of investigations, Stewards have directed that the ChemCentre undertake further screening in relation to this substance from other available samples taken from Mr Coulson’s horses.
The ChemCentre has now reported further irregularities in relation to cobalt from the following samples so analysed:
11th July 2015: NOT SMALL – Bunbury Race 2
24th July 2015: ANOTHER VINNIE – Gloucester Park Race 7
1st August 2015: ANOTHER VINNIE – Bunbury Race 6
The respective referee and control samples have been dispatched to the Racing Analytical Services Ltd (Vic) for analysis, following which a date and time for the Stewards inquiry in relation to these matters will be confirmed.
RWWA Stewards Enquiry