Harness Racing New South Wales yesterday commenced its inquiry into the results of out of competition samples taken from horses in the care of Trainer Mr Shaun (Anthony) Simiana during the period 17 April up to and including 3 May 2016, which have been reported as containing the prohibited substance Peptide VNFYAWK.
Blood samples were taken from the following horses during that period:
FRANCO TIAGO NZ – Sample collected on 17 April 2016
WALKABOUT CREEK – Sample collected on 17 April 2016
FRANCO TIAGO NZ – Sample collected on 18 April 2016
WALKABOUT CREEK – Sample collected on 18 April 2016
WALKABOUT CREEK – Sample collected on 3 May 2016
The sample taken from FRANCO TIAGO NZ on 17 April 2016 was analysed by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL), Racing Analytical Services Limited, Hong Kong Jockey Club and LGC in the United Kingdom. The ARFL reported the presence of EPO in a screening, and the subsequent remaining A portion was analysed by RASL, which reported it was unable to confirm EPO in the blood sample. The B portion was confirmed by the HKJC as containing the Peptide VNFYAWK , and the LGC laboratory reported that the blood sample contained darbepoetin.
The further four samples have all been reported on screening at the ARFL to be containing the presence of EPO, and subsequently the remaining portions have been reported by the HKJC as containing the presence of the Peptide VNFYAWK.
Peptide VNFYAWK is known to be a highly specific fragment of recombinant human erythropoietin or darbepoetin alpha or methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta or recombinant human EPO-Fc.
Mr Simiana attended the inquiry assisted by Mr M Higgins of counsel instructed by Mr V Murphy.
In addition to the brief of evidence previously served, oral evidence was adduced today from Mr Simiana and HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Don Colantonio.
HRNSW issued the following eight charges against Mr Simiana:
Charge 1:
Pursuant to AHRR 190A(1)(a):
The particulars being that Mr Simiana as the registered trainer and the person in charge of FRANCO TIAGO NZ at the relevant time, that being leading up to and including the 17th of April 2016, when a blood sample taken from that horse at your registered property, upon analysis by three approved laboratories have reported the presence of the prohibited substance Peptide VNFYAWK and or Darbepoetin which are prohibited pursuant to Rule 190A(2)(a).
Charge 2:
Pursuant to AHRR 190A(1)(a):
The particulars being that Mr Simiana as the registered trainer and the person in charge of WALKABOUT CREEK at the relevant time, that being leading up to and including the 17th of April 2016, when a blood sample taken from that horse at your registered property, upon analysis by two approved laboratories have reported the presence of the prohibited substance Peptide VNFYAWK which are prohibited pursuant to Rule 190A(2)(a).
Charge 3:
Pursuant to AHRR 190A(1)(a):
The particulars of the charge are that you Mr Simiana as the registered trainer and the person in charge of FRANCO TIAGO NZ at the relevant time, that being leading up to and including the 18th of April 2016, when a blood sample taken from that horse at your registered property, upon analysis by two approved laboratories have reported the presence of the prohibited substance Peptide VNFYAWK which are prohibited pursuant to Rule 190A(2)(a).
Charge 4:
Pursuant to AHRR 190 A(1)(a):
The particulars of the charge are that you Mr Simiana as the registered trainer and the person in charge of WALKABOUT CREEK at the relevant time, that being leading up to and including the 18th of April 2016, when a blood sample taken from that horse at your registered property, upon analysis by two approved laboratories have reported the presence of the prohibited substance Peptide VNFYAWK which are prohibited pursuant to Rule 190A(2)(a).
Charge 5:
Pursuant to AHRR 196A (1)(i) & (2):
The particulars of the charge are that you Mr Simiana as the registered trainer of FRANCO TIAGO NZ did administer to that horse a substance containing the prohibited substance Peptide VNFYAWK, in the period leading up to and or including 17 and or 18 April 2016 for the purpose of affecting that horses performance in a race at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Tuesday 19 April 2016.
Charge 6:
Pursuant to AHRR 196A (1)(i) & (2):
The particulars of the charge are that you Mr Simiana as the registered trainer of WALKABOUT CREEK did administer to that horse a substance containing the prohibited substance Peptide VNFYAWK, in the period leading up to and or including 17 and or 18 April 2016 for the purpose of affecting that horses performance in a race at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Tuesday 19 April 2016.
Charge 7:
Pursuant to AHRR 190A(1)(a):
The particulars of the charge are that you Mr Simiana as the registered trainer and the person in charge of WALKABOUT CREEK at the relevant time, that being leading up to and including the 3rd of May 2016, when a blood sample taken from that horse at your registered property, upon analysis by two approved laboratories have reported the presence of the prohibited substance Peptide VNFYAWK which are prohibited pursuant to Rule 190A(2)(a).
Charge 8:
Pursuant to AHRR 196A (1)(i) & (2):
The particulars of the charge are that you Mr Simiana as the registered trainer of WALKABOUT CREEK did administer to that horse a substance containing the prohibited substance Peptide VNFYAWK, in the period leading up to and or including 3 May 2016 for the purpose of affecting that horses performance in a race at Penrith Harness meeting on Thursday 5 May 2016 with was subsequently withdrawn.
The inquiry was then adjourned for Mr Simiana to consider the charges issued against him. HRNSW provided until close of business, Friday 28 October 2016 for submissions.
Reid Sanders
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
p: (02) 9722 6600