Mr Daniel Rowell - Inquiry Conducted

On Monday 22 December 2025 Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry into a report received 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 THE REAL ROCKETMAN NZ prior to it running in race 4, the BOOTS CIVIL ENGINEERING PACE (1740 metres) conducted at Wagga on Tuesday 24 June 2025.

Trainer Mr Rowell appeared at the Inquiry and provided evidence in relation to his registered training establishment and the horse THE REAL ROCKETMAN NZ. HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott and ARFL General Manager Mr John Keledjian also provided evidence to the Inquiry.

The certificates of analysis were also entered into evidence at the Inquiry. The certificate of analysis provided by ARFL reported a TCO2 level of 37.2 millimoles per litre (mmol/L) in plasma. In addition, a certificate provided by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria reported a TCO2 level of 36.3 mmol/L.

Mr Rowell 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 Rowell was disqualified for a period of 18 months to commence from 15 July 2025 the date upon which he was stood down pursuant to AHRR 183.

In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following;

• Mr Rowell’s 2nd Prohibited Substance offence;
• Class 2 Prohibited Substance;
• The levels reported in this matter;
• Mr Rowell’s involvement in the harness racing industry as a licensed person since the 2001/2002 season;
• Mr Rowell’s training and driving records, together with his harness racing offence record;
• Prima facie case;
• The impact of a disqualification upon Mr Rowell from a personal and financial perspective.

Acting under the provisions of Rule 195, THE REAL ROCKETMAN NZ was disqualified from the abovementioned race.

Mr Rowell has appealed the decision of HRNSW Stewards.

Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 27 racing clubs across the State.  HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.

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