Harness stewards’ inquiry – trainer Kendall Laidlaw (Nickys Son)
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) stewards have concluded their inquiry in relation to a report from the ChemCentre in Perth, that cobalt at a concentration in excess of 100 micrograms per litre, being the threshold prescribed in the Harness Rules of Racing, had been detected in a urine sample taken from Nickys Son after it competed in and won Race 9 at Gloucester Park on 13 December 2022.
Trainer of Nickys Son, Kendall Laidlaw, had his licence to train suspended effective as of 20 March 2023, pending the outcome of the inquiry. The inquiry commenced on 27 March 2023, with proceedings also conducted on 19 April 2023 and 7 June 2023.
Following the inquiry on 27 March 2023, a charge was issued under Harness Rule of Racing (HRR) 190 (1), (2) and (4), with the particulars of the charge being that Mr Laidlaw, as the trainer, presented Nickys Son to race, not free of the prohibited substance cobalt, as evidenced by a concentration at a level in excess of 100 micrograms per litre of urine.
During proceedings, both written and verbal submissions were heard from:
- RWWA Head of Veterinary Services – Dr J Medd
- ChemCentre Analyst – Dr B Dorakambura
- Racing Analytical Services Ltd Analyst – Dr A Cawley
- Managing owner of Nickys Son – Mr N Champion
- Trainer of Nickys Son – Mr K Laidlaw
On 27 June 2023, stewards found Mr Laidlaw guilty of the issued charge. In addition, pursuant to HRR195, stewards also determined to disqualify Nickys Son from the race in question, with placings and prize money to be amended accordingly.
Following a hearing on 12 July 2023 on the question of penalty, stewards determined to apply a nine-month disqualification for Mr Laidlaw, effective from 21 July 2023 for the breach of HRR 190 (1), (2) and (4).
In determining penalty, stewards considered, amongst other things:
- Mr Laidlaw’s length and level of involvement in a licensed capacity.
- 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 100ug/L.
- The negative perceptions that arise when offences of this nature occur, tarnishing the image of racing being a level playing field.
- The need for penalties to carry a suitable level of deterrence both in general and specific.
- Previous penalties imposed in relation to this 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.