Harness stewards’ inquiry – trainer Kevin Keys (Flying Rumour)
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) stewards have concluded their inquiry into a report received from the ChemCentre in Perth that arsenic at a concentration above 0.30 micrograms/millilitre had been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from Flying Rumour after it competed in and finished eleventh (last) in Race 9 at Gloucester Park on 2 June 2023.
After hearing evidence from trainer Mr Keys, ChemCentre Analyst Ms Cook, RWWA Regulatory Veterinarian Dr McMullen and RWWA Senior Investigative Steward Mr Criddle, Mr Keys pleaded guilty to the following charge:
HR 190 (1), (2) (4)
Particulars: “That you Mr Kevin Keys, as the trainer, presented Flying Rumour to race at Gloucester Park on Friday 2 June 2023, where the gelding raced and finished in eleventh (last) position in Race 9, not free of the prohibited substance arsenic as evidenced by a concentration of arsenic above 0.30 micrograms per millilitre in urine being detected in a post-race urine sample taken from Flying Rumour.”
Regarding the penalty, stewards considered, among other things:
- Mr Keys’ acknowledgement of the offence as evidenced by his guilty plea and his personal circumstances.
- Mr Keys’ excellent record in relation to prohibited substance rules.
- The circumstances of this matter, where Mr Keys had an extensive number of arsenic treated posts at his training establishment and unambiguous evidence that Flying Rumour had ingested arsenic treated timber in its yard, evidenced by partially chewed posts.
- The low levels of arsenic detected and that the stewards were satisfied the reported levels were consistent with the horse in question ingesting part of the treated posts.
- There were no products on Mr Keys training establishment containing arsenic.
- Precedence in relation to similar matters in the past and that any penalty requires a deterrent factor, both specific and general.
- Previous warnings to participants that future action taken by the stewards in matters relating to the presentation of horses with arsenic levels which exceed the threshold may result in penalties being imposed, regardless of any evidence relating to the ingestion of treated timber products.
- Despite warnings being issued, offences in relation to the detection of arsenic continue to occur and there is a need for penalties to be in place to further encourage all trainers to take the appropriate precautions to prevent horses exceeding the threshold for this substance. In this regard, trainers are again reminded to take all necessary steps to avoid horses being exposed to ingestion of treated timber or other products which may contain arsenic.
Considering all matters, stewards determined the appropriate penalty for this offence was a fine of $2,000.
Acting under the provisions of HR 195, Flying Rumour was disqualified from the race in question.