On Friday 15 October 2021, Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that sotalol and temazepam had been detected in the urine sample taken from;
- JO JO ZIP following its win in race 5, the J O’SULLIVAN & SONS PACE (1770 metres) conducted at Canberra on Monday 9 November 2020.
The ‘B’ sample was confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Licensed Trainer Mr David Reichstein and HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott were present and provided evidence to the Inquiry. Results of analysis for samples obtained from Mr Reichstein’s registered training establishment were also entered into evidence.
Mr Reichstein pleaded guilty to a charge issued by HRNSW Stewards 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.
(3) If a person is left in charge of a horse and the horse is presented for a race otherwise than in accordance with sub rule (1), the trainer of the horse and the person left in charge is each 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 Reichstein was disqualified for a period of 3 months to commence immediately.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following;
- Mr Reichstein’s personal subjectives;
- Mr Reichstein’s guilty plea;
- Mr Reichstein’s involvement in the harness racing industry for 50 years as a licensed trainer/driver and volunteer;
- Mr Reichstein’s first prohibited substance offence;
- The impact of a disqualification upon Mr Reichstein from a personal and financial perspective.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, JO JO ZIP was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Mr Reichstein was advised of his right to Appeal these decisions of the Stewards.
