Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards have concluded an Inquiry today that commenced on Friday 26 June 2026 in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Ipratropium, Phenylbutazone, Oxyphenbutazone and Gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone were detected in the post-race urine sample taken from BUSINESS IN HEAVEN following its win in race 6, the NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE WESTERN REGION 3YO COLTS AND GELDINGS FINAL (LISTED CLASSIC) (1740 metres) conducted at Wagga on Friday 5 December 2025.
The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
In addition, the Inquiry related to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Phenylbutazone and Oxyphenbutazone were also detected in the pre-race blood sample taken from BUSINESS IN HEAVEN prior to the abovementioned race.
The ‘B’ sample was confirmed by RASL.
Licensed Trainer Mr Trevor Munday attended the Inquiry with his legal representative Ms Valerie Heath. Mr Munday provided evidence to the Inquiry in relation to the horse BUSINESS IN HEAVEN, his registered training establishment and husbandry practices.
In addition, the Certificates of Analysis and evidence from HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Martin Wainscott were presented to the Inquiry.
Mr Munday pleaded guilty to a charge issued by the 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 Munday was disqualified for a period of 8 months to commence immediately.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:
- Mr Munday’s 2nd prohibited substance matter (Previous 2013);
- Class 3 Prohibited Substances;
- The circumstances of this matter;
- Submissions provided by Ms Heath on behalf of Mr Munday;
- Mr Munday’s personal, financial and professional subjectives;
- Mr Munday’s guilty plea;
- Mr Munday’s involvement in the harness racing industry as a licensed person since the 1997/98 season and as a trainer since the 1998/99 season, together with his performance records since that time;
- Mr Munday’s harness racing offence record;
Acting under the provisions of AHRR 195, BUSINESS IN HEAVEN was disqualified from the abovementioned race.
Mr Munday was advised of his right to appeal these decisions of the HRNSW Stewards.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
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Name:
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Michael Prentice Clint Bentley
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Position:
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Chief Integrity Officer Chairman of Stewards
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Phone:
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(02) 9722 6600 (02) 9722 6628
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Email:
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mprentice@hrnsw.com.au cbentley@hrnsw.com.au
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