Tasracing Integrity Unit
and
Ray Pullen
Date of Decision: 15 July 2026
Decision Makers: Ms Barbara Scott, Mr Arnold Hyde, Mr Trevor Styles
Respondents: Mr. Raymond Pullen
Rule: AHRR 190(1), (2), (4).
Charge: Ray Pullen, you were at all relevant times a harness trainer licensed by Tasracing and a person bound by the Australian Harness Rules of Racing.
On 17 April 2026 you presented SWEET DIXIE to race in Race 3, Typeface Pace at the Hobart harness meeting, when a post-race urine sample taken from SWEET DIXIE, upon analysis, was found to contain the prohibited substance Tapentadol.
Plea: To charges AHRR 190(1), (2) and (4) - Guilty
Penalties: AHRR 190(1), (2), (4) – $2000
Decision:
- Mr. Pullen was at all relevant times a licenced harness trainer.
- On 17 April 2026 Mr Pullen presented SWEET DIXIE to race at the Hobart harness meeting.
- After the race, a urine swab sample was obtained from SWEET DIXIE, which was sent to Racing Analytical Services (RASL) for testing.
- On 27 May 2026, the TIU were advised by RASL that urine sample contained Tapentadol.
- On 15 June 2026, the TIU were advised by RASL that Australian Racing Analytical Services had confirmed the presence of Tapentadol in the reserve urine sample.
- In relation to AHRR 190(1), (2), (4), Mr Pullen was fined $2000.
- Following submissions from Mr Pullen, representing the owners of SWEET DIXIE, stewards disqualified the horse from Race 3 at Hobart on 17 April 2026 and amended the placings accordingly.
- In arriving at Penalty, the Decision Makers considered all available evidence including:
- the guilty plea for the presentation offence
- Mr Pullen’s prior disciplinary history;
- his verbal submissions;
- his personal circumstances;
- that Tapentadol is a human medication that has no place in the harness racing industry
- the need to maintain a level playing field
Mr Pullen was advised of his rights of appeal.
Dated: 16 July 2026.
