Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards have concluded their inquiries into the circumstances in which the prohibited substance, Clenbutorol, was detected in urine and blood samples taken from the registered horse DEN HELDER NZ at Cowra race meeting on Sunday, May 14, 2017.
At Cowra racecourse on that day HRNSW Stewards and Investigators searched the vehicle and float of trainer N Carroll and subsequently the horses GUTS and DEN HELDER NZ were withdrawn from their respective races by order of Stewards. Stewards also ordered swab samples to be taken from both horses.
Evidence was heard from trainer M Carroll and HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr M Wainscott. Further evidence from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory and Racing Analytical Service certifying the substance Clenbutorol had been detected in blood and urines samples taken from DEN HELDER NZ on that day was considered.
HRNSW Stewards issued the following charge against M Carroll pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) and (4) as follows:
(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.
5) A horse is presented for a race during the period commencing at 8.00 a.m. on the day of the race for which the horse is nominated and ending at the time it is removed from the racecourse after the running of that race.
M Carroll pleaded guilty to having presented DEN HELDER NZ to the races following which a prohibited substance, Clenbutorol, was detected by two laboratories approved by HRNSW and was disqualified for a period of 14 months to commence from June 22 2017, the date upon which he was initially stood down.
Stewards acknowledge that at the time of presentation DEN HELDER NZ had been in the care and under the control of trainer N Carroll. At a future date N Carroll will be required to attend a further inquiry in this matter.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:
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The serious nature of this offence;
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M Carroll’s guilty plea;
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A previous prohibited substance offence;
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M Carroll’s licence history in excess of 34 years;
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The particular circumstances surrounding the offence;
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Other personal subjective facts.
M Carroll was advised of his right to appeal this decision.
MICHAEL PRENTICE | INTEGRITY MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 • mprentice@hrnsw.com.au
GRAHAM LOCH | CHAIRMAN OF STEWARDS
(02) 9722 6600 • gloch@hrnsw.com.au