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 Rules of Harness Racing (ARHR) 190(1) against licensed trainer Ms Sally Hardy.
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 Ms Hardy related to a post-race urine sample collected from the horse ‘Major Charlie’ after it placed 1st in Race 3, the ‘Mildura Working Man’s Club Pace’, at Mildura on 23 December 2015. Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported that analysis of the urine sample revealed the sample to contain a prohibited substance, namely cobalt, at a level of 307 mcg/L in urine, above the allowable threshold (at the time) of 200 mcg/L in urine.
The HRV RAD board considered the statements of Investigative Steward Mr Stephen Svanosio, RASL representative Mr Paul Zahra, veterinary consultant Dr Stuart Paine and scientific consultant Dr John Vine.
Ms Hardy pleaded guilty to the charge, before the HRV RAD Board heard submissions on penalty from the HRV Stewards and Ms Hardy. In deciding an appropriate penalty, the HRV RAD Board considered Ms Hardy’s 16-year involvement in the industry, her good record over this period of time, the circumstances surrounding Ms Hardy taking over the training duties of ‘Major Charlie’ two days prior to the above mentioned race, both specific and general deterrence, consistency of penalty and Ms Hardy’s guilty plea. In considering all of these matters, the HRV RAD Board imposed a 12-month disqualification upon Ms Hardy. The RAD Board ordered the disqualification commence with immediate effect.
The HRV RAD Board also ordered that ‘Major Charlie’ be disqualified from Race 3 at Mildura on 23 December 2015 and that any prizemoney be refunded.
Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board