Thoroughbred Stewards Inquiry – Trainer Ms M. Hayley (SUN POWER)
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Stewards have concluded an inquiry into the reports of the ChemCentre and RASL that cobalt at a concentration >200 ug/L had been detected in the sample taken from SUN POWER, trained by Ms. Meryl Hayley, following it competing in and winning Race 2 at Esperance on 5 December 2020.
At the inquiry conducted on Friday 29 January 2021, evidence was heard from ChemCentre representative Ms. E Cook, RWWA Manager Veterinary Services Dr. J Medd, RWWA Senior Investigator Mr. G. Johnson in addition to receiving submissions from Ms Hayley.
Ms Hayley subsequently pleaded guilty to the following charges.
Charge 1
AR240 (2) Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at race meeting
Particulars:
That you, as the licensed trainer, brought and presented SUN POWER for the purposes of participating in Race 2 at Esperance on 5 December 2020 where it raced and finished 1st, with the Prohibited B List substance cobalt being detected in a post-race urine sample taken from it as evidenced by a concentration of cobalt at a level in excess of 100 micrograms per litre.
Charge 2
AR254 (1)(a)(ii) Injections prohibited at certain times
Particulars:
That you, Ms M. Hayley, as the trainer did inject SUN POWER, DYNAMIC FORCE, SHE’S A RULER and PELICAN POINT on 25 December 2020 when they were engaged to run in races on 26 December 2020 with 20ml of VAM which was within 1 clear day contrary to the provisions of AR254 (1)(a)(ii).
After adjourning to consider submissions on penalty, the Stewards have now determined to impose a disqualification of 9-months effective as of the date her licences were suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry, that being 25 January 2021, in relation to Charge 1 and $1,000 in relation to Charge 2.
Further, acting under AR240 (1) Stewards have determined to disqualify SUN POWER from the race in question with the placings to be amended accordingly with the commensurate implications to all stake money and payments to apply.
In determining penalty Stewards took into account several factors including:
- Ms Hayley’s personal circumstances including the length, level of involvement in racing and that this was her first offence.
- The nature of the substance and the seriousness of horses being presented for, and competing in races with a level of cobalt above the prescribed threshold of 100 ug/L.
- The absence of accepted explanation for the reading of 230 ug/L reported by the Chem Centre.
- The negative perceptions that arise when offences of this nature occur which tarnishes the image of racing being a level playing field.
- The need for all penalties to carry a suitable level of deterrence both general and specific.
- Penalties issued in WA and other jurisdictions in relation to this prohibited substance.
- The widely published RWWA material warning about the use of certain supplements which states, amongst other things:
- That a normal racing diet is more than sufficient to meet a horse’s nutritionalrequirements for cobalt and vitamin B12.
- That registered injectable cobalt supplements offer no nutritional advantages because incorporation of cobalt into the vitamin B12 molecule occurs within the horse’s gut.
- To consult with their veterinarians to ensure that their oral supplementation regimen provides only the amount of cobalt necessary to meet the scientifically established nutritional requirements of the horse for cobalt.
“Whilst the threshold has been set at a level to allow for normal levels of cobalt supplementation through routine nutritional sources, trainers are advised that the administration of certain registered vitamin supplements, particularly by injection, close to racing may result in a level of cobalt in a subsequent sample that exceeds this threshold. Trainers are therefore advised to avoid the use of supplements close to racing.”