Mr Craig Turnbull - Inquiry Conducted

On Wednesday 11 March 2026, Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Cotinine and Trans-3’-hydroxycotinine were detected in the post-race urine sample taken from the horse STAR TO FALL following its win in Race 1, the YIRRIBEE PACING STUD PACE (1740 metres) conducted at Wagga on Tuesday 14 October 2025.

Cotinine and Trans-3’-hydroxycotinine are known metabolites of nicotine.

The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.

Licensed Trainer Mr Craig Turnbull attended the Inquiry via Zoom and provided evidence in relation to his registered training establishment and the subject horse.

Mr Turnbull also provided evidence in relation to a flooding event that had occurred involving his property in April 2025, which originated from a commercial premises located adjacent to Mr Turnbull’s property that produces tomatoes, capsicum and eggplant. It is known that these plants are members of the nightshade family (Solanaceae) which contain nicotine.

In addition, evidence was provided at the Inquiry that an agronomist had located nightshade plants growing on Mr Turnbull’s property, in close proximity to the paddock occupied by the horse STAR TO FALL on occasion.

HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott attended and provided evidence to the Inquiry. The certificates of analysis issued by ARFL and RASL were also entered into evidence.

Mr Turnbull pleaded guilty to a charge issued by HRNSW Stewards pursuant to Rule 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.

In respect of that charge, pursuant to AHRR 256(6) Stewards recorded a conviction, however, no penalty was imposed.

In considering penalty, Stewards considered the evidence of Dr Wainscott that the detection of Cotinine and Trans 3’-hydroxycotinine had most likely resulted from environmental contamination.

In addition, in consideration of penalty, Stewards were mindful of the following;

• Mr Turnbull’s guilty plea;
• Class 2 Prohibited Substance;
• Mr Turnbull’s 4th prohibited substance matter;
• The circumstances of this matter;
• Mr Turnbull’s licence history and other personal subjective factors.

Acting under the provisions of AHHR 195, STAR TO FALL was disqualified from the subject race.

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