Harness stewards’ inquiry – trainer Giles Inwood (DISCO UNDER FIRE)
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) stewards conducted an inquiry on Thursday, 28 April 2022 into the reports from the Chem Centre in Perth and Racing Analytical Services in Victoria that the pre-race blood sample taken from DISCO UNDER FIRE prior to it competing in and finishing 10th in Race 7 at Gloucester Park on Friday, 15 April 2022 was found to have a level of total carbon dioxide content (TCO2) in excess of the prescribed threshold of 36.0 millimoles per litre in plasma.
After hearing evidence from the trainer Mr G Inwood, Chem Centre representatives Dr N Beckett, RWWA Head of Veterinary Services Dr J Medd and RWWA Senior Investigator Mr G Johnson, Mr Inwood pleaded guilty to the following charges:
1. Charge under HRR 190B(1)(b) Log Books, with the particulars of the charge being that Mr Inwood did fail to record treatments of Neutradex administered to his horses within his logbook as required by Rule 190B(1)(b).
2. Charge under HRR190(1)(2) Presentation free of prohibited substances, with the particulars of the charge being that Mr Inwood, as the trainer, presented DISCO UNDER FIRE to race in Race 7 at Gloucester Park on Friday, 15 April 2022, not free of the prohibited substance alkalinising agents as evidenced by a concentration of TCO2 in excess of 36.0 mm/L in plasma.
In view of the nature of the charges and his plea of guilt, pursuant to Rule 183, Mr Inwood’s licences were suspended in full when the inquiry adjourned on the day, pending the stewards’ deliberations on penalty.
The stewards have today determined to issue the following penalties:
Charge 1 a fine of $400.
Charge 2 a disqualification of six months effective from 28 April 2022, to take into account the suspension of his licences as of that time.
Furthermore, DISCO UNDER FIRE was disqualified from the race in question in accordance with HRR 195, with commensurate implications for any payments to apply.
In considering penalty, stewards considered the following factors:
- Mr Inwood’s pleas of guilty and that this was his first offence of this kind.
- The long period of his licensed involvement, the number of horses he currently trains and that he relied on his licence for his livelihood.
- The absence of any explanation for the reported readings.
- The nature of the prohibited substance detected (TCO2) and the levels detected.
- Previous penalties issued in relation to the detection of this prohibited substance, all of which have been periods of disqualification.
- The potential for such matters to tarnish the image and reputation of racing.