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
- 10 April 2025 – Mr Scott Hewitt – HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole has been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from MY CRACKLING ROSIE following its win in Race 4, the MIDDY’S ELECTRICAL GOULBURN PACE (1710 metres) conducted at Goulburn on Monday 20 January 2025.
The reserve portion and control solution were sent to Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria for confirmation.
- 22 April 2025 – Mr Keith McDeed – HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that harpagoside has been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from LULLABY NZ following its win in race 1, the SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Tamworth on Thursday 13 February 2025.
The reserve portion and control solution were sent to Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria for confirmation.
- 22 April 2025 – Mr Darrell Standen – HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that harpagoside has been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from STILL ROLLIN NZ following its win in race 8, the TEAM TEAL 2025 - CLUB MENANGLE WARATAH HEAT (1609 metres) conducted at Tamworth on Thursday 13 February 2025.
The reserve portion and control solution were sent to Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria for confirmation.
- 24 April 2025 – Mr David Moran – HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Total Plasma Carbon Dioxide above the prescribed threshold has been detected in the pre-race blood sample taken from CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD prior to it running in race 6, the BOOTS CIVIL | MILBRAE QUARRIES RIVERINA CHAMPIONSHIPS ENTIRES AND GELDINGS FINAL (LISTED CLASSIC) (2270 metres) conducted at Wagga on Saturday 19 April 2025.
The ‘B’ sample was sent to Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria for confirmation.
- 30 April 2025 – Ms Ellise Judd – HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Metformin has been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from NAPOLI NIGHTS following its win in race 4, the 1 EQUINE PACE (1760 metres) conducted at Junee on Tuesday 18 February 2025.
The reserve portion and control solution were sent to Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria for confirmation.
Inquiries Commenced
- 16 April 2025– Mrs Kerry Towers – HRNSW Stewards commenced an Inquiry into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Deferoxamine was detected in the post-race urine sample taken from EXPLOSIVE BRONSKI following its win in Race 3, TIGER TARA @ MEDOWIE LODGE PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Tuesday 16 January 2024.
Deferoxamine was not detected by Racing Analytical Services Limited in Victoria in the reserve portion or the control solution.
Mrs Towers appeared at the Inquiry and presented evidence in relation to her registered training establishment and the horse EXPLOSIVE BRONSKI. Mr Jeffrey Towers, the owner of the horse was also present at the Inquiry.
HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott presented evidence to the Inquiry, including the fact that deferoxamine is contained in some human medications and can also be detected in the environment due to bacterial activity. Dr Wainscott informed the Inquiry that it may be possible to determine the source of the deferoxamine through further analysis of the subject urine sample.
In his evidence, Dr Wainscott provided evidence that it was his belief that this detection of deferoxamine by the ARFL was the first of its kind in the world.
Consequently, to allow HRNSW Stewards to consider all available information in relation to this matter, the Inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed for further analysis of the urine sample to be pursued.
A request of HRNSW Stewards was made by Mr Jeffrey Towers for the stand down to be removed from the horse EXPLOSIVE BRONSKI. As a result of the evidence presented at the Inquiry and the Inquiry having reached the current status, HRNSW Stewards were satisfied that the stand down could be removed following a clear elective sample from EXPLOSIVE BRONSKI being returned.
Appeal Decisions
- 9 April 2025 - Mr Cameron Hart appealed the decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel to dismiss his appeal and suspend his driver’s licence for a period of 7 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 Racing Appeals Tribunal, the appeal against the breach was dismissed and appeal against the suspension of 7days was dismissed.
- 14 April 2025 - Mr Jack Callaghan appealed the decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel to dismiss his appeal and 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 Racing Appeals Tribunal, the appeal against the breach was dismissed and the appeal against penalty was upheld. Consequently, a 7 day suspension was imposed.
- 14 April 2025 - Mr Nathan Jack appealed the decision of HRNSW Stewards to disqualify him for a period of 9 months after he pleaded guilty to a charge issued pursuant to AHRR 190(1), (2) & (4) following reports from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole was detected in the following samples:
- Pre-race blood sample taken from the horse SKINNYDIP NZ prior to race 4, the STEEL SUPPLIES PACE (2270 metres) conducted at Wagga on Friday 7 July 2023;
- Post-race blood sample taken from the horse SKINNYDIP NZ following its win in race 4, the MATARANKA PARK STANDARDBREDS PACE (1740 metres) conducted at Wagga on Friday 21 July 2023.
By decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel, the appeal against severity was dismissed.
Mr Jack has appealed that decision to the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal.
Integrity Information
During the month of April, HRNSW Integrity department obtained 752 race day samples.
As per normal HRNSW procedure all samples have been submitted for analysis.
Integrity Notices
- 1 April 2025 – Elevated TCO2 Levels Notice- Horses Required to Present Early 01/04/25.
- 3 April 2025 – Trainer Stood Down- Mr Ben Swan.
- 3 April 2025 – Elevated TCO2 Levels Notice- Horses Required to Present Early 03/04/25.
- 17 April 2025 – March Integrity Updates & Information.
- 17 April 2025 – Mrs Kerry Towers – Inquiry Commenced.
- 22 April 2025 – Elevated TCO2 Levels Notice- Horses Required to Present Early 22/04/25.
All notices can be found here
