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
- 12 September 2025 – Mr Adam Ruggari – 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 was detected in the pre-race blood sample taken from CANTPLZA MALTEEZA prior to it running in race 4, the COBBITTY EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE BLUE - 2YO COLTS & GELDINGS FINAL (GROUP 2) (1609 metres) conducted at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday 6 September 2025.
The ‘B’ sample was confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
- 26 September 2025 – Mr Brian Portelli – HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole was detected in the post-race urine sample taken from RED SAPPHIRE following its win in race 6, the TAB VENUE MODE PACE (1720 metres) conducted at Penrith on Thursday 10 July 2025.
The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited in Victoria.
Inquiries Concluded
- 9 September 2025– Mr Peter Hanson – HRNSW Stewards conducted an Inquiry into reports received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Xylometazoline was detected in the following samples taken from the horse MACH DA VINCI NZ:
- Post-race urine sample taken following its win in Race 10, the ACCESS GROUP SOLUTIONS PROPERTY & ASSET MANAGEMENT PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Menangle on Tuesday 22 April 2025;
- Pre-race blood sample taken prior to it running in Race 3, the ABLE DOORS PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Menangle on Saturday 17 May 2025.
The reserve portion and control solution for the urine sample and the ‘B’ portion for the blood sample were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Mr Hanson pleaded guilty to two (2) charges issued against him pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4).
In relation to each of the charges, HRNSW Stewards imposed a 6 month disqualification period, to be served concurrently and to commence from 27 June 2025, the date upon which Mr Hanson was stood down pursuant to AHRR 183.
Pursuant to AHRR 195, MACH DA VINCI NZ was disqualified from the abovementioned races.
Mr Hanson was informed of his right to appeal these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.
- 10 September 2025– Mr Dylan Xerri – HRNSW Stewards conducted an Inquiry into reports received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Xylometazoline was detected in the following samples:
- The post-race urine sample taken from the horse DUGGEE SLOY following its win in Race 7, the HYLAND HARNESS FULL SUITS PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Menangle on Tuesday 8 April 2025;
- The post-race urine sample taken from the horse DUTY OF CARE following its win in Race 6, the TINTIN IN AMERICA @ WINGATE FARM PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Menangle on Tuesday 29 April 2025;
- The post-race urine sample taken from the horse DUTY OF CARE following its win in Race 4, the D M PLUMBING PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Menangle on Tuesday 6 May 2025;
- The pre-race blood sample taken from the horse DUGGEE SLOY prior to it running in Race 5, the TAB REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - METROPOLITAN HEAT 1 (2300 metres) conducted at Menangle on Tuesday 6 May 2025;
- The pre-race blood sample taken from the horse TONYS DREAM prior to it running in Race 4, the FRAN FITZPATRICK CHERYL MCDOWELL PINK BONNET (GROUP 3) (1609 metres) conducted at Menangle on Saturday 10 May 2025.
- The post-race blood sample taken from the horse DUGGEE SLOY following its third placing in Race 6, the TAB REGIONAL FINAL - METROPOLITAN (LISTED CLASSIC) (2300 metres) conducted at Menangle on Saturday 17 May 2025;
The reserve portions and control solutions for the urine samples and the ‘B’ portions for the blood samples were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Mr Darren Xerri, the Managing Owner of the abovementioned horses was also in attendance at the Inquiry.
Mr Dylan Xerri pleaded guilty to six (6) charges issued against him pursuant to AHRR 190 (1), (2) & (4).
In relation to each of the charges, HRNSW Stewards imposed a 6 month disqualification period, to be served concurrently and to commence from 27 June 2025, the date upon which Mr Dylan Xerri was stood down pursuant to AHRR 183.
Mr Dylan Xerri was informed of his right to appeal these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.
Mr Darren Xerri was provided with an opportunity to make submissions in relation to the provisions of AHRR 195 with regards to the horses DUGGEE SLOY, DUTY OF CARE and TONYS DREAM. Following consideration of the submission and the evidence presented at the Inquiry, those horses were disqualified from the abovementioned races.
In addition, the disqualification of the horse DUGGEE SLOY from Race 6, the TAB REGIONAL FINAL - METROPOLITAN (LISTED CLASSIC) (2300 metres) conducted at Menangle on Saturday 17 May 2025 was ordered by HRNSW Stewards pursuant to AHRR 195A.
- 11 September 2025– Mr David Druitt – HRNSW Stewards conducted an Inquiry into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that halostachine was detected in the post-race urine sample taken from the horse BURTON following its win in Race 1, the TAB VENUE MODE PACE (2270 metres) conducted at Wagga on Friday 28 February 2025.
The reserve portion and control solution was confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Mr Druitt pleaded guilty to two (2) charges issued against him pursuant to AHRR 190 (1), (2) & (4) and AHRR 190B(5) & (6)
In relation to charge 1, pursuant to AHRR 256(6) Stewards determined that a conviction would be recorded, however, Stewards did not impose a penalty on Mr Druitt as they were satisfied to the requisite standard that the detection of halostachine was most likely as a result of contamination from within or around the stable environment.
In relation to Charge 2, Stewards imposed a $500 fine.
Mr Druitt was informed of his right to appeal these decisions of HRNSW Stewards.
Pursuant to AHRR 195 the horse BURTON was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
- 19 September 2025– Mr Brett Hutchings – HRNSW Stewards concluded an Inquiry into the following matters:
- A report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that benzoylecgonine was detected in the urine sample taken from FRONTIER following its win in race 7, the ORANA WOOL & SCRAP METAL PACE (1720 metres) conducted at Dubbo on Friday 14 June 2024;
The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
- A report received from RASL that cocaine metabolites Ecgonine methylester and Benzoylecgonine were detected in a urine sample obtained from Mr Brett Hutchings at the Parkes harness meeting on Friday 12 July 2024.
The reserve portion was confirmed by ARFL.
Mr Hutchings pleaded guilty to three (3) charges issued against him pursuant to the following Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR):
Charge 1- AHRR 190 (1), (2) & (4);
Charge 2- AHRR 250(1)(a);
Charge 3- AHRR 250A(1)(a) and in the alternative to Charge 2.
HRNSW Stewards considered penalty submissions provided on behalf of Mr Hutchings and imposed the following penalties:
Charge 1- Two (2) years and six (6) months disqualification to commence following the suspension imposed in relation to Charge 2, being from 14 February 2025 until 14 August 2027;
Charge 2- Six (6) months suspension of all licences from 13 August 2024, the date upon which Mr Hutchings was stood down by HRNSW Stewards pursuant to AHRR 183 until 13 February 2025;
Charge 3- HRNSW Stewards did not proceed to the matter of penalty in relation to this charge, at this time.
Mr Hutchings was informed of his right to appeal these decisions of HRNSW Stewards.
Pursuant to AHRR 195, the horse FRONTIER was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
- 19 September 2025– IM ALRITE – HRNSW Stewards concluded an Inquiry that commenced on Wednesday 16 July 2025 in relation to a report received from Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that benzoylecgonine was detected in the urine sample taken from IM ALRITE following its win in race 5, the PALMER FINAL (2040 metres) conducted at Parkes on Friday 23 February 2024.
The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
During the Inquiry a number of documents were entered into evidence, including the certificates of analysis and an email sent to HRNSW Stewards on Friday 2 February 2024 by Mr Lex Bramble, the Licensed Trainer of the horse IM ALRITE, to advise that he had left that horse in the care of Mr Brett Hutchings.
Mr Bramble pleaded guilty to a charge issued by HRNSW Stewards pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4).
In relation to Mr Bramble and pursuant to AHRR 256 (6), HRNSW Stewards did not record a conviction and no penalty was imposed.
In relation to Mr Brett Hutchings, he pleaded guilty to a charge issued against him pursuant to (AHRR) 190 (1), (3) & (4).
HRNSW Stewards considered penalty submissions provided on behalf of Mr Hutchings and imposed a disqualification of two (2) years and six (6) months to commence following the expiration of the disqualification period imposed upon Mr Hutchings in relation to the presentation of the horse FRONTIER to race, not free of a prohibited substance.
Consequently, in relation to this matter Mr Hutchings is disqualified from 15 August 2027 until 15 February 2030.
Mr Hutchings was informed of his right to appeal this decision of the HRNSW Stewards.
Pursuant to AHRR 195 the horse IM ALRITE was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Integrity Information
During the month of September 2025, HRNSW Integrity department obtained 784 race day samples.
As per normal HRNSW procedure all samples have been submitted for analysis.
Integrity Notices
- 1 September 2025 – Retention Facilities – The TAB Eureka & The Len Smith Mile.
- 1 September 2025 – Mr Michael Hawke – Inquiry Concluded.
- 1 September 2025 – New HRNSW Local Rule – Jogging Machines.
- 4 September 2025 – Arrival Times – Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday 6 September.
- 4 September 2025 – 2026 HarnessWeb Licence Renewal Program.
- 11 September 2025 – August Integrity Updates & Information.
- 11 September 2025 – Mr Dylan Xerri – Inquiry Conducted.
- 11 September 2025 – Mr David Druitt – Inquiry Conducted.
- 11 September 2025 – Mr Peter Hanson – Inquiry Conducted.
- 15 September 2025 – HRA Rule Amendments – Approved by HRNSW Board.
- 17 September 2025– Elevated TCO2 Levels as at 17/09/25.
- 18 September 2025 – Elevated TCO2 Levels as at 18/09/25.
- 19 September 2025 – 2025 HarnessWeb Foal Registrations.
- 22 September 2025 – Elevated TCO2 Levels Notice - Horses Required to Present Early 22/09/25.
- 23 September 2025 – IM ALRITE – Stewards’ Inquiry Concluded.
- 23 September 2025 – Mr Brett Hutchings – Inquiry Concluded.
Original notices can be found here
If anyone requires further information please contact HRNSW Integrity Department on (02) 9722 6600.
Name: Michael Prentice Clint Bentley
Position: Chief Integrity Officer Chairman of Stewards
Phone: (02) 9722 6600 (02) 9722 6628
Email: mprentice@hrnsw.com.au cbentley@hrnsw.com.au
