It is to be noted that the current open Inquiries can be found by the following link.
https://www.hrnsw.com.au/racing/stewards/openinquiries
New Inquiries
- 19 March 2025 – Mr Shane Sanderson – HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to reports from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that tiludronic acid was detected in the following blood samples obtained from the horse PERFECT STRIDE NZ:
- B239930- Out of Competition sample obtained on 3 December 2024;
- B238094- Pre-race blood sample obtained prior to Race 5, the TAB INTER DOMINION PACING CHAMPIONSHIP - (SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND HEAT 6 )(1730 metres) conducted at Bathurst on Wednesday 4 December 2024;
- B239099- Pre-race blood sample obtained prior to Race 2, the TAB INTER DOMINION PACING CHAMPIONSHIP - (THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND HEAT 7 )(2300 metres) conducted at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday 7 December 2024;
- B239419- Out of Competition sample obtained on 12 December 2024.
The ‘B’ samples have been sent to Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria confirmation.
In addition, HRNSW Stewards have received a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that tiludronic acid was detected in the urine sample obtained from the horse PERFECT STRIDE NZ following Race 3, the TAB INTER DOMINION PACERS CONSOLATION (2300 metres) conducted at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday 14 December 2024.
The reserve portion and control solution have been sent to Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria for confirmation.
Inquiries Concluded
- 5 March 2025– Mr Clayton Harmey – HRNSW Stewards finalised an Inquiry that commenced on 5 February 2025 into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole was detected in the post-race urine sample taken from GANDALF NZ following its win in Race 3, the NEW ERA TECHNOLOGY PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Newcastle on Friday 5 January 2024.
The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Mr Harmey pleaded guilty to a charge issued by HRNSW Stewards pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4).
HRNSW Stewards adjourned the Inquiry for consideration in relation to the matter of penalty. On 6 February 2025, Mr Harmey was advised that HRNSW Stewards had imposed a disqualification period of 6 months to commence immediately.
Mr Harmey requested further consideration by Stewards of the start date for the period of disqualification, following a request received from him on 1 January 2025 to be stood down from that date after not renewing his Trainer’s Licence for the 2025 season.
Following the determination of a similar issue by the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal in the appeal decision in the matter of Mr Scott Wade which was provided on 5 March 2025, HRNSW Stewards have informed Mr Harmey that the start date for the 6 month disqualification was 6 February 2025.
Mr Harmey was informed of his appeal rights.
Pursuant to AHRR 195, HRNSW Stewards disqualified GANDALF NZ from the abovementioned race.
- 7 March 2025– Mr Toby Inwood – HRNSW Stewards finalised an Inquiry that commenced on 7 February 2025 into a report received from the Australian Government National Measurement Institute (NMI) that Cobalt above the threshold of 100 micrograms per litre in urine was detected in the urine sample taken from MAGIC TULHURST following its win in race 6, the GOLD CROWN MAJOR SPONSOR DRAW 6TH MARCH PACE (1730 metres) conducted at Bathurst on Wednesday 28 February 2024.
The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by the ChemCentre in Western Australia.
Mr Inwood pleaded guilty to two (2) charges issued against him pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4) and AHRR AHRR 196E(1)(a).
HRNSW Stewards adjourned the Inquiry to provide Mr Inwood with an opportunity to provide penalty submissions and personal references. Following receipt of those documents, HRNSW Stewards considered the matter of penalty.
On 7 March 2025, Mr Inwood was advised that HRNSW Stewards had imposed the following penalties:
Charge 1: 2.5 years disqualification to commence from 28 May 2024 and expiring on 28 November 2026;
Charge 2: 6 months disqualification to be served concurrent to Charge 1.
Pursuant to AHRR 195, HRNSW Stewards disqualified MAGIC TULHURST from the abovementioned race.
Mr Inwood has appealed the decisions of HRNSW Stewards.
- 19 March 2025– Mr Jack Trainor – HRNSW Stewards conducted an Inquiry into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole was detected in both the pre-race blood and post-race urine samples taken from MANHATTAN NZ following its win in race 2, the CONDELL PARK PRODUCE BABY BLING STAKES (1609 metres) conducted at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday 9 March 2024.
The reserve portions and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Mr Trainor pleaded guilty to a charge issued against him pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4).
Mr Trainor was disqualified for a period of 18 months to commence at the completion of his current disqualification and conclude on 20 October 2026, allowing for the time of which Mr Trainor was stood down under Rule 183 prior to being disqualified.
Pursuant to AHRR 195, HRNSW Stewards disqualified MANHATTAN NZ from the abovementioned race.
Mr Trainor was informed of his appeal rights.
Appeal Decisions
- 4 March 2025 - Mr Scott Wade appealed the decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel to disqualify him for a period of 1 year and 10 months after he pleaded guilty to a charge issued pursuant to AHRR 190(1), (2) & (4) following a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole was detected in the post-race urine sample taken from CHANGE OF MIND following its win in Race 6, the SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE (2125 metres) conducted at Penrith on Thursday 5 January 2023.
By decision of the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal, the appeal against severity was dismissed.
- 5 March 2025 - Mr Jack Callaghan appealed the decision of HRNSW Stewards to suspend his driver’s licence for a period of 10 days after being found guilty of a charge issued pursuant to AHRR 168 (1)(a) when driving the horse EIFFEL FROM HEAVEN in Race 2 at Newcastle on Monday 24 February 2025.
By decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel, the appeal against the breach was dismissed and the 10 day suspension was confirmed.
Mr Callaghan appealed that decision to the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal.
- 13 March 2025 - Mr Cameron Hart appealed the decision of HRNSW Stewards to suspend his driver’s licence for a period of 14 days after being found guilty of a charge issued pursuant to AHRR 163 (1)(a)(iii) when driving the horse RIPSTONE SNORTER in Race 2 at Newcastle on Thursday 27 February 2025.
By decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel, the appeal against the breach was dismissed and the suspension reduced to 7days.
Mr Hart appealed that decision to the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal.
- 17 March 2025 - Mr Ben Sarina appealed the decision of HRNSW Stewards to disqualify him for a period of 7 years after being found guilty of a charge issued pursuant to AHRR 231(1)(e) following an assault upon a former Harness Racing Steward. In addition, Stewards had invoked AHRR 267 for the same period.
By decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel, the appeal was dismissed and the penalty amended to a permanent warning off in respect of both matters.
Mr Sarina appealed that decision to the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal.
Integrity Information
During the month of March, HRNSW Integrity department obtained 879 race day samples.
As per normal HRNSW procedure all samples have been submitted for analysis.
Integrity Notices
- 11 March 2025 – Mr Clayton Harmey- Inquiry Concluded.
- 11 March 2025 – Mr Toby Inwood- Inquiry Concluded.
- 19 March 2025 – Mr Jack Trainor- Inquiry Concluded.
- 28 March 2025 – Elevated TCO2 Levels Notice- Horses Required to Present Early 28/03/25.
Original notices can be found here
