On Tuesday 11 October 2016 RWWA Stewards inquired into a report received from RWWA Investigator Mr Geoff Johnson following the Broome Cup race meeting conducted on Saturday 13 August 2016 and the late scratching of the horses AFRICAN GYPSY (10.45am) and MONTOYAS (1.34pm) trained by Mr Jim Enright. Mr Johnson had reported that AFRICAN GYPSY had been injected with the substance FOLIC-B12 (a medication containing Folic Acid and Vitamin B12), by Mr Enright in his stabling area shortly before its engagement in Race 1 at 11.58am.
The report of Mr Johnson and the transcript of interview at Broome on the day was received into evidence with further evidence taken from RWWA Industry Veterinarian Dr Judith Medd, RWWA Steward Mr Martin Vickers and the trainer of AFRICAN GYPSY, Mr J Enright.
Mr Enright subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge under AR178E with the particulars being that on Broome Cup Day at Broome on 13 August 2016 at approximately 10.25am he did, in his stabling area, administer by way of intravenous injection the medication FOLIC-B12 to AFRICAN GYPSY which was shortly before it was due to compete in Race 1 that day.
Stewards have today concluded their deliberations with respect to penalty and have imposed a disqualification of nine (9) months for this offence.
In determining penalty Stewards took into:
The seriousness and nature of the offence.
Past cases dealt with under the rules since the inception of prescribed minimums in 2013.
The minimum penalty provisions applicable to AR178E which state that a period of disqualification of not less than 6-months must be imposed unless in the Stewards opinion, there were ‘special circumstances’ as provided by the rules that applied in the matter. In the Stewards opinion no such ‘special circumstances’ applied.
That the offence occurred by way of injection in close proximity to the timing of the race which placed the nature of the offence at a level that warranted a penalty greater than the prescribed 6-months.
Mr Enright’s immediate plea of guilty and acknowledgement of the offence.
That all samples taken from AFRICAN GYPSY returned negative for prohibited substances following analysis.
That is was confirmed by the ChemCentre from the analysis of the seized syringe that the substance administered was FOLIC-B12 as stated by Mr Enright.
That AFRICAN GYPSY was withdrawn from the race by order of the Stewards on the day.
The need for a clear message to be sent to all that such actions are entirely unacceptable and will lead to significant penalties.