Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry today 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 MURIEL prior to it running in race 8, the KOHNKE'S OWN CELL-SALTS PACE (1760 metres) conducted at Junee on Tuesday 24 February 2026.
The ‘B’ sample was confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
In addition, the Inquiry also related to a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Naproxen was detected in the pre-race blood sample and post-race urine sample obtained from that horse at the same race meeting.
The Naproxen in the ‘B’ portion of the blood sample was confirmed by RASL in Victoria.
The Naproxen in the reserve portion and control solution for the urine sample was also confirmed by RASL.
Licensed Trainer Mr Field appeared at the Inquiry and presented evidence in relation to the horse MURIEL and his registered training establishment.
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. In addition, results of analysis for samples obtained from Mr Field’s registered training establishment were also entered into evidence.
Mr Field pleaded guilty to two (2) charges issued against him pursuant to the Australian Harness Racing Rules (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.
In relation to those charges, HRNSW Stewards imposed the following penalties:
Charge 1: 12 months disqualification to commence from 21 May 2026, the date upon which Mr Field was stood down pursuant to AHRR 183.
Charge 2: 6 months disqualification to be served concurrent to the disqualification imposed for Charge 1.
In consideration of an appropriate penalty, HRNSW Stewards were mindful of the following:
- The circumstances of this matter including the evidence of Dr Wainscott;
- Mr Field’s licence history, offence record, training and driving records during a 27 year involvement in the harness racing industry;
- Mr Field’s personal and financial subjective factors;
- Mr Field’s first prohibited substance matter;
- Class 2 and Class 3 Prohibited Substances;
- Mr Field’s guilty pleas.
Pursuant to AHRR 195, MURIEL was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Mr Field was informed of his right to appeal the decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.
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