On Wednesday 27 May 2026, Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Methylamphetamine, Amphetamine and 4-hydroxymethylamphetamine were detected in the post-race urine sample taken from GISSELLE following its win in race 4, the WOOLASTON SHEDS PACE (2030 metres) conducted at Newcastle on Friday 28 November 2025.
The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Mr Flaherty appeared at the Inquiry and presented evidence in relation to his registered training establishment and the horse GISSELLE.
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 Flaherty 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 Flaherty was disqualified for a period of 2 years 6 months to commence from 10 March 2026, the date upon which he was stood down pursuant to AHRR 183.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following;
- Mr Flaherty’s 1st Prohibited Substance offence;
- Class 1 Prohibited Substances and the extremely serious nature of the prohibited substances;
- Mr Flaherty’s involvement in the harness racing industry as a licensed person, including as a Trainer since the 2011/12 season;
- Mr Flaherty’s training, together with his harness racing offence record;
- Mr Flaherty’s subjective matters;
- The impact of a disqualification upon Mr Flaherty.
Acting under the provisions of Rule 195, the horse GISSELLE was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Mr Flaherty was informed of his right to appeal these decisions of HRNSW Stewards.
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