Harness Stewards Inquiry (SECRET REACTION)
Following an inquiry on 5 August 2021, SECRET REACTION was disqualified (HRR195) from Race 3 at Williams on 14 March 2021 and Race 4 at Bridgetown on 21 March 2021, as a result of reports from the Chem Centre and Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory that it had elevated levels of testosterone in the samples taken from it following those races.
Further in accordance with HRR190AA(4), SECRET REACTION was not permitted to start in any race or be used for the purposes of breeding for a minimum period of 12 months as from 21 March 2021 and only after an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Clearing Certificate is provided in respect of a sample taken from the filly at a date to be determined by stewards.
The inquiry had established that the most likely explanation for the elevated levels of testosterone was the presence of a granulosa cell ovarian tumour. Accordingly, no action was taken against the trainer.
As a result of the imposition of the 12-month embargo effective 21 March 2021, connections were notified of Harness Rule of Racing 65 (HRR 65) and afforded the opportunity to make submissions with respect to the potential disqualification of the horse from the following races it subsequently competed in:
- Bunbury 27 March: Finished fifth – $700
- Wagin 1 April: Finished first – $4163.25
- Pinjarra 12 April: Finished eleventh – $100
- Bunbury 24 April: Finished fifth – $262.50
After considering the written submissions received, stewards have now concluded that SECRET REACTION was ineligible to compete in these races and accordingly have disqualified it from these races with placings to be amended accordingly, with relevant implications to stake money to apply.
In determining the matter, stewards considered all elements of this case including:
- That the stewards must interpret and apply the rules as written having regard to the intent and purpose of the rules.
- That the rules do not distinguish between testosterone levels associated with endogenous or exogenous origin or activity.
- That the definitions of prohibited substances in the rules do not prescribe any method by which a high level of testosterone can be exempted from being a prohibited substance based on scientific, analytical or other evidence that the level was of endogenous origin and/or as a result of endogenous activity.
- The effects of testosterone, the intents and purposes of the 12-month embargo from racing imposed by the rules, and the intents and purposes of the relevant rules are directed towards ensuring horses competing against one another do so on a level playing field.
Copy of Rules of Racing
HRR65. Disqualification – ineligibility
If the stewards find that a horse or a trainer or a driver was ineligible to compete in a race, they may disqualify the horse form the race or declare such horse a non-starter and make any consequent changes to the placings.
HRR190AA. Anabolic Steroids
(4) When a sample taken at any time from a horse has detected in it an anabolic androgenic steroid the horse is not permitted to start in any race or be used for the purposes of breeding:
(a) for a minimum period of 12 months from the date of the collection of the sample in which an anabolic androgenic steroid was detected; and
(b) only after an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Clearing Certificate is provided in respect of a sample taken from the horse, such sample having been taken at a date determined by the stewards.
HRR195. Disqualification
A horse which has been presented for a race shall be disqualified from it if blood, urine, saliva, or other matter or sample or specimen taken from the horse is found to contain a prohibited substance.