It is to be noted that the current open Inquiries can be found here.
New Inquiries
3 June 2026 – Mr Noel Hatcher – HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole has been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from SECOND TO NUN following its win in Race 1, the FIRST NATIONAL REAL ESTATE GOULBURN TROTTERS MOBILE (1710 metres) conducted at Goulburn on Monday 30 March 2026.
The reserve portion and control solution have been confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Inquiries Concluded
3 June 2026 – Mr Justin Field – Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry 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 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 and the reserve portion of the urine sample was also confirmed by RASL.
The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Licensed Trainer Mr Justin Field provided evidence to the Inquiry in relation to the horse MURIEL and his registered training establishment.
The certificates of Analysis and evidence from HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott were presented to the Inquiry. 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 by HRNSW Stewards pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4). 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.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, MURIEL was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Mr Field was informed of his right to appeal these decisions of HRNSW Stewards.
24 June 2026 – Mr Darrell Standen – Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that harpagoside was detected in the post-race urine sample obtained from the horse STILL ROLLIN NZ following its win in race 8, the TEAM TEAL 2025 - CLUB MENANGLE WARATAH HEAT (1609 metres) conducted at Tamworth on Thursday 13 February 2025.
The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Trainer Mr Standen appeared at the Inquiry with his legal representative and presented evidence in relation to the horse STILL ROLLIN NZ and his registered training establishment. Licensed Driver, Mr Daniel Jack also provided evidence at the Inquiry via telephone.
A number of documents were entered into evidence at the Inquiry including the Certificates of Analysis in relation to the post-race urine sample and samples obtained from Mr Standen’s registered training establishment.
HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian, Dr Martin Wainscott, provided evidence to the Inquiry in relation to a septic sewer system on the property and two (2) species of plant believed to be present in NSW that contain harpagoside. Dr Wainscott stated that the ingestion of the plants was more unlikely as the source due to their toxicity, palatability and physical attributes. In addition, Dr Wainscott confirmed that a septic sewer system had been a factor in a previous case involving harpagoside and was the most likely cause in this matter.
Mr Standen pleaded guilty to a charge issued by HRNSW Stewards pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4) and was fined the amount of $3,000.
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, STILL ROLLIN NZ was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
In addition, pursuant to AHRR 195A (2), STILL ROLLIN was also disqualified from Race 4, the THERESE CORDINA WARATAH FINAL (1609 metres) at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday 1 March 2025.
Mr Standen was informed of his right to appeal these decisions of HRNSW Stewards.
Appeal Decisions
13 June 2026 - Mr Richard Williams appealed the decision of the HRNSW Stewards to suspend his driver’s licence for a period of 6 weeks after he was found guilty of a charge issued pursuant to AHRR 149 (2) when driving the horse UNIT FORTY ONE in Race 3 at Tamworth on Thursday 7 May 2026.
By decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel, the appeal was upheld and the penalty set aside.
18 June 2026 - Mr Ben Sarina - HRNSW appealed the decision of the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal to uphold the appeal of Mr Sarina following a decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel to impose a permanent warning off upon Mr Sarina in relation to a charge issued pursuant to AHRR 231(1)(e) and the invocation of AHRR 267.
By decision of the NSW Supreme Court, the appeal was dismissed. HRNSW are now considering the judgment and its appeal rights.
Integrity Information
During the month of June 2026, HRNSW Integrity department obtained 768 race day samples.
As per normal HRNSW procedure all samples have been submitted for analysis.
Integrity Notices
- 3 June 2026 – Mr Justin Field – Inquiry Conducted.
- 3 June 2026 – Mr Brendon Flaherty – Inquiry Conducted.
- 11 June 2026 – May Integrity Updates & Information.
- 12 June 2026 – Arrival Times Menangle Saturday 13 June 2026.
- 24 June 2026 – Mr Darrell Standen – Inquiry Conducted.
All notices can be found here.
For further information please contact the HRNSW Integrity Department on
(02) 9722 6655.
