On 20 September 2018, the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board considered a charge issued by HRV Stewards under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190(1) against licensed trainer-driver Anthony Adams.
AHRR 190(1) reads as follows: A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.
The charge related to a urine sample collected from the horse ‘Lifeplusten’ after it finished first in Race 10, the ‘Mark Gurry & Associates Pace’, at the Mildura harness racing meeting on 28 December 2017.
Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported the analysis of that urine sample revealed arsenic in excess of the allowable threshold.
Mr Adams was also charged with a breach of AHRR 119C(1) in that ‘Lifeplusten’ and ‘Mister Magic Man’ were stabled at a training establishment that had not been registered during the relevant time and approval had not been obtained from the Stewards for the horses to be stabled at this location.
Mr Adams pleaded guilty to both charges before submissions on penalty were heard from HRV Stewards and Mr Adams.
In deciding an appropriate penalty, the HRV RAD Board considered Mr Adams’ guilty pleas and cooperation throughout the investigation; the purpose of the rules; both general and specific deterrence; Mr Adams’ good record in regard to prohibited substances; and the steps taken to prevent a recurrence.
Mr Adams was subsequently fined $2000, of which $1000 was suspended for a period of 12 months.
In relation to the charge regarding the stabling location of the horses, Mr Adams was fined the sum of $500.
The HRV RAD Board also ordered that, under AHRR 195, that ‘Lifeplusten’ be disqualified from Race 10 at Mildura on 28 December 2017 and that the placings be amended accordingly.
HRV RAD Board Panel: Alanna Duffy (Chair), Dr Hugh Millar, Rod Osborne
Harness Racing Victoria