Stewards’ Inquiry – Harness
23 April, 2009
Harness
RWWA Stewards today inquired into a report from the Racing Chemistry Laboratory in Perth, that flunixin, phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone had been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from SHEER ROYALTY after it had won Race 5, the Alabar Daintys Daughter Classic Prelude (2170m) at Pinjarra on 2 March 2009.
This finding has been verified by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory in NSW.
Evidence was taken from Trainer Mr Mike Reed, Driver/Trainer Mr Mark Reed, RWWA Industry Veterinarian Dr Judith Medd, RWWA Investigator Mr Geoff Johnson and Racing Chemistry Laboratory Chemist Mr James White.
Evidence disclosed that Mr Mike Reed and his son Mr Mark Reed train from the same stable and that SILENTLY RICH trained by Mr Mark Reed had been undergoing treatment with both flunixin and phenylbutazone for a tendon injury under the direction of a Veterinary Surgeon. Further, SILENTY RICH had been placed in the same paddock as SHEER ROYALTY on the training establishment. Trainer Mr Mark Reed requested his father administer this treatment to SILENTLY RICH on the evening of Sunday, 1 March 2009 as he was absent from the stable. Trainer Mr Mike Reed mistakenly administered the anti-inflammatory treatment to SHEER ROYALTY which resulted in the aforementioned prohibited substances being detected in a post race urine sample taken from SHEER ROYALTY on 2 March 2009.
A detailed examination of the betting transactions including Betfair activity on SHEER ROYALTY revealed nothing remarkable.
Trainer Mr Mike Reed pleaded guilty to a charge under Harness Rule of Racing 190(2) for presenting SHEER ROYALTY to race in Race 5, the Alabar Daintys Daughter Classic Prelude (2170m) at Pinjarra on 2 March 2009, not free of the prohibited substances flunixin, phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone.
In consideration of penalty Stewards took into account the following:
- Mr Reed’s guilty plea and forthright manner in addressing this issue.
- Mr Reed’s exemplary record.
- The circumstances of the case in that the Stewards accepted the explanation of an inadvertent administration.
- The Veterinary evidence which verified that SILENTLY RICH was under veterinary treatment and that SHEER ROYALTY did not have any veterinary conditions requiring treatment.
- Mr Reed’s personal circumstances.
Mr Mike Reed was fined the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000).
Acting under HRR195 SHEER ROYALTY was disqualified as the winner of Race 5 the Alabar Daintys Daughter Classic Prelude (2170m) at Pinjarra on 2 March 2009, with the amended placings now reading:
1st |
CHICA BONITA |
(K Young) |
2nd |
LA JOCONDE |
(G Hall Jnr) |
3rd |
DREAMS DAUGHTER |
(A Treasure) |
4th |
SUPREME ROYALTY |
(S Torre) |
John A. Zucal
RWWA Chairman of Stewards
For more information contact:
Racing and Wagering Western Australia
Stewards Division
70 Grandstand Road
Ascot WA 6104
Ph: (08) 9277 0777