Stewards’ Report – Harness Racing Trainer – Rachel Scott
Date – 15 February 2017
Panel – N. Torpey; P. Zimmermann & J. Hackett
Queensland Racing Integrity Commission Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the analysts finding regarding the elevated Total Carbon Dioxide concentration levels found in the pre-race blood samples taken from Major Command prior to the horse competing in Race 2 at Albion Park on 19 November 2016 and Race 4 at Albion Park on 22 November 2016. Major Command was trained for both events by Ms Rachel Scott.
After taking evidence from Ms Scott and Dr K. Caldwell as the Manager, Veterinary Services at the Racing Science Centre, Stewards issued the following two (2) charges against Rachel Scott pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 193(3) which reads:
“A person shall not administer or allow or cause to be administered any medication to a horse on race day prior to such horse running in the race.”
Specifics of the charges being:
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That Rachel Scott did administer or allow or cause to be administered medication, namely an alkalinising agent to Major Command on 19 November 2016 prior to it running on that day.
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That Rachel Scott did administer or allow or cause to be administered medication, namely an alkalinising agent to Major Command on 22 November 2016 prior to it running on that day.
After carefully considering the evidence Stewards determined that both charges had been established to a reasonable satisfaction and found Ms Scott guilty on both charges.
In determining the matter of guilt Stewards were of the opinion that the only creditable explanation for the elevated TCO2 levels detected in both samples was as a result of the administration of an alkalinising agent on race day.
When assessing an appropriate penalty in each case Stewards acknowledged that the levels in both samples did not give rise to a positive finding.
In determining an appropriate penalty, amongst other things, Stewards considered the following:
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Ms Scott’s personal and financial situation;
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The particular circumstances of each case;
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The need for a penalty to serve as a deterrent to illustrate that drug free racing is of paramount importance to the integrity of harness racing;
After considering penalties applied in recent comparable matters Stewards fined Rachel Scott the sum of $4,000 on each charge.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR. 195 Major Command was disqualified from Race 2 at Albion Park on 19 November 2016 and from Race 4 at Albion Park on 22 November 2016.
Ms Scott was advised of her rights of an Internal Review