HARNESS Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an inquiry today in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that altrenogest, trenbolone and trendione were detected in the post-race urine sample taken from ELLEN LOUISE following its win in Race 2, the QUEANBEYAN CARPETS PACE (1770m) at Canberra on Monday 4 November 2018.
The substances altrenogest and trendione were confirmed in the ‘B’ sample by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Mr Cooper appeared at the inquiry and presented evidence in relation to the horse ELLEN LOUISE, his husbandry and veterinary advice received in relation to the product Ovumate.
Evidence including the Reports of Analysis was presented to the inquiry.
HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott also presented evidence to the inquiry.
A notice issued by HRNSW on 25 June 2018 advising trainers and veterinarians to immediately stop the use of products containing altrenogest was also entered into evidence.
HRNSW Stewards issued a charge against Mr Cooper pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4) as follows:
AHRR 190. (1) A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances. (2) If a horse is presented for a race otherwise than in accordance with sub rule (1) the trainer of the horse is guilty of an offence. (4) An offence under sub rule (2) or sub rule (3) is committed regardless of the circumstances in which the prohibited substance came to be present in or on the horse. |
Mr Cooper pleaded guilty and was disqualified for a period of three months to commence from 7 January 2019, the date upon which he was stood down.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:
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Mr Cooper’s involvement in the harness racing industry, his licence history and offence record;
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Class 1 Prohibited Substances;
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The nature of the prohibited substances and circumstances relevant to this matter;
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The fact that this offence occurred after HRNSW had published notices advising trainers and veterinarians to immediately stop using products containing altrenogest;
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No previous prohibited substance matters;
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Mr Cooper’s personal subjective facts;
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Mr Cooper’s guilty plea.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, ELLEN LOUISE was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
In addition, in accordance with AHRR 190AA (4), HRNSW Stewards ordered that ELLEN LOUISE is not permitted to start in any race for a period of 12 months from 4 November 2018
Mr Cooper was advised of his right to appeal these decisions.
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 33 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by a Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
HRNSW INTEGRITY CONTACTS:
MICHAEL PRENTICE | INTEGRITY MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 • mprentice@hrnsw.com.au
GRANT ADAMS | CHAIRMAN OF STEWARDS
(02) 9722 6600 • gadams@hrnsw.com.au