Harness Stewards Inquiry – Trainer Brian Ferguson (AUSSIE EDITION)
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Stewards, on Friday 12 March 2021, conducted an inquiry into a report from the ChemCentre in Perth, that Dexamethasone had been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from AUSSIE EDITION after competing in and winning Race 4 at Gloucester Park on Monday 21 December 2020. This finding having been verified by the Racing Science Centre in Queensland.
Evidence was taken from the trainer of AUSSIE EDITION Mr Brian Ferguson, Stablehand Ms Rebecca Desmond, RWWA Senior Investigator Mr Geoff Johnson, RWWA Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Caroline McMullen and Ms Elise Cook, ChemCentre Analyst.
During the inquiry, Mr Ferguson pleaded guilty to a charge under HRR190(1) in that he, as the trainer, presented AUSSIE EDITION to in race 4 at Gloucester Park on Monday 21 December 2020, where it raced and finished first, not free of the prohibited substance Dexamethasone.
After deliberating on the question of penalty, Stewards imposed a fine of $6,000.
When considering penalty, the Stewards took into account as appropriate:
- The importance of animals being presented for races free of prohibited substances in order to maintain a level playing field.
- Mr Ferguson’s involvement in harness racing over a number of years.
- The acknowledgement of the offence as evidenced by his plea of guilt.
- Previous cases involving the presence of Dexamethasone in a horse in a race.
- That this was Mr Ferguson’s second offence in relation the presentation of horse not free of a prohibited substance.
- That his previous offence was over 12 years ago.
- The nature of the substance detected, that being of a therapeutic nature.
- The need for deterrence both general and specific.
Acting under HRR195, AUSSIE EDITION has been disqualified from winning race 4 at Gloucester Park on 21 December 2020 and the Stewards directed that the placings be amended accordingly, with the commensurate implications for stakemoney.