It is to be noted that the current open Inquiries can be found HERE.
Inquiries Concluded
2 December 2025– Mr Joe Fenech
Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards concluded an Inquiry that commenced on 3 September 2025, into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole was detected in the post-race blood sample taken from TELL ME THIS NZ following its win in Race 5, the OPEN AVENUES PSYCHOLOGY PACE (1720 metres) conducted at Penrith on Thursday 13 February 2025.
The ‘B’ sample was confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Licensed Trainer/Driver Mr Joe Fenech attended the Inquiry via Zoom and provided evidence in relation to his registered training establishment, the subject horse and a treatment of ‘Fenbender 100’ he provided to the horse TELL ME THIS NZ on 10 February 2025, which was recorded in his HRNSW Log Book.
HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott attended and provided evidence to the Inquiry. The certificates of analysis issued by ARFL and RASL in relation to the post-race blood sample were also entered into evidence.
In addition, documents and an ARFL analytical report in relation to a 1 litre container of ‘Fenbender 100’ purchased by HRNSW were also entered into evidence. The analytical report confirmed that a trace level of levamisole was detected in that product. Further, information provided by ARFL also confirmed that fenbendazole was detected in the post-race blood sample subject of the Inquiry.
Mr Fenech pleaded guilty to a charge issued against him pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4).
In respect of that charge, pursuant to AHRR 256(6), Stewards did not record a conviction and no penalty was imposed.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, HRNSW Stewards disqualified TELL ME THIS NZ from the abovementioned race.
22 December 2025– Mr Daniel Rowell
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 against him pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4).
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.
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.
Appeal Decisions
8 December 2025 - Mr Toby Inwood
Appealed the decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel to dismiss his appeal and confirm a disqualification of 2.5 years after he pleaded guilty to two (2) charges issued pursuant to AHRR 190(1)(2) & (4) and AHRR 196E(1)(a). The charges were issued in relation to a report 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.
By decision of the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal, the appeal against penalty was upheld and the disqualification period reduced to 1 year and 9 months from 28 May 2024 and to expire on 26 February 2026.
Integrity Information
During the month of December 2025, HRNSW Integrity department obtained 688 race day samples.
As per normal HRNSW procedure all samples have been submitted for analysis.
Integrity Notices
- 3 December 2025 – Mr Joe Fenech- Inquiry Concluded.
- 3 December 2025 – Elevated TCO2 Levels – Horses Required to Present Early 03/12/25.
- 8 December 2025 – Elevated TCO2 Levels – Horses Required to Present Early 08/12/25.
- 29 December 2025 – Mr Daniel Rowell- Inquiry Conducted.
- 30 December 2025 – November Integrity Updates & Information.
All notices can be found HERE.
If anyone requires further information please contact HRNSW Integrity Department on (02) 9722 6600.
