Mr Matthew Murphy - Inquiry Conducted

On 19 August 2026 Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry in relation to a banned substance being detected in a urine sample taken from licensed Trainer/Driver, Mr Matthew Murphy, at Wagga on Tuesday 28 July 2026.

Mr Murphy appeared at the Inquiry and presented evidence. In addition, a number of documents were entered into evidence, including a medical certificate from Mr Murphy’s general practitioner which confirmed that Mr Murphy had been prescribed a medication that contained the banned substance.

Although the medication was prescribed to Mr Murphy, he had not sought the approval of HRNSW Stewards pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 252B or AHRR 252BB to receive a specific banned substance, subject to the conditions of those Rules.

Mr Murphy pleaded guilty to two (2) charges pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 250(1)(a) as follows:

Charge 1

AHRR 250. (1) A driver commits an offence if:-

(a) A sample taken from him is found upon analysis to contain a substance banned by Rule 251,

AHHR 251. The following substances and/or their metabolites, artifacts, and isomers are declared as banned substances in drivers when present in a urine sample (unless otherwise stated) at a concentration above the applicable cut-off level:-

Charge 2

AHRR 250A. (1)  A person carrying on or purporting to carry on an activity regulated by licence at any time or carrying on official duties at a meeting commits an offence if:

(a)  a sample taken from him or her is found upon analysis to contain a substance banned by Rule 251A,

AHRR 251A. The following substances and/or their metabolites, artifacts, and isomers are declared as banned substances when present in a sample (unless otherwise stated) at a concentration above the applicable cut-off level in persons carrying on or purporting to carry on an activity regulated by licence at any time or carrying on official duties at a race meeting:-

Mr Murphy was issued with a $500 fine.

In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following;

• Mr Murphy’s 1st offence for such matter;
• Seriousness of the offence;
• The nature of the substance;
• Medication prescribed to Mr Murphy contained the banned substance;
• Mr Murphy’s guilty pleas, licence history, subjective factors and his training and driving records.

Mr Murphy was advised of his right to appeal these decisions.

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