Mr Darrell Standen - Inquiry Conducted

Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an Inquiry today into a report 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 via Zoom 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, was also present and 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 against him pursuant to the Australian Harness Racing Rules 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.

HRNSW Stewards imposed a $3000 fine upon Mr Standen.

In consideration of an appropriate penalty, HRNSW Stewards were mindful of the following:

• The circumstances of this matter including evidence of Dr Wainscott;
• Mr Standen’s licence history, offence record, training and driving records during a 27 year involvement in the harness racing industry;
• Mr Standen’s personal subjective facts;
• Mr Standen’s first prohibited substance matter;
• Class 3 Prohibited Substance;
• Mr Standen’s guilty plea;

Mr Standen was informed of his right to appeal the decision of the HRNSW Stewards.

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.

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