Harness Stewards Inquiry – Trainer Matthew Henwood (BARON JUJON)
Racing and Wagering Western Australia’s (RWWA) stewards have now concluded the inquiry commenced on 11 April 2019, into reports received from the ChemCentre in Perth, that cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester had been detected in samples taken from BARON JUJON, (trained by Mr M. Henwood) after competing in the following races:
- Race 3 – Narrogin on 22 January 2019
- Race 4 – Northam on 16 February 2019
The results of analysis, having been confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Ltd, with all licences held by Mr Henwood suspended effective 21 March 2019 upon notification of the results of analysis.
Mr Henwood was advised on 3 July 2019 that the stewards had determined to find him guilty of five charges as issued on 27 May 2019 to which he pleaded not guilty to.
After considering matters in relation to penalty, stewards determined to impose the following:
- Charge 1 – Rule 190 (2) Presentation free of prohibited substances: three year disqualification
- Charge 2 – Rule 190 (2) Presentation free of prohibited substances: three year disqualification
- Charge 3 – Rule 231 (1)(e) Assault and interference: one year disqualification
- Charge 4 – Rule 238 Failure to comply with orders: three year disqualification
- Charge 5 – Rule 231 (2) Assault and interference: six month disqualification
Taking into account matters of concurrency and totality stewards directed that the periods of disqualification with respect to charges 1, 2 and 3 be served cumulatively. The period of disqualification issued with respect to charges 4 and 5 to be served concurrently with those penalties.
Effectively this achieves a total period of disqualification of seven years, effective as of 21 March 2019, which was the date his licenses were suspended pending outcome of this matter, until the 20 March 2026.
Acting under Harness Rule of Racing 195, BARON JUJON was disqualified from the races in question with placings and stakemonies to be amended accordingly.
In determining penalty stewards took into account several factors including:
- Mr Henwood’s personal circumstances and prior history in racing during his long period of licensed participation.
- The serious nature of the substance involved, including the fact of the parent drug detection of cocaine and the level at which it was detected.
- That it was imperative to maintain the confidence of those supporting racing as there was no place in racing for substances of this nature.
- Penalties issued in other cases involving this substance by other jurisdictions, noting that there were no prior cases of this nature reported in Western Australia.
- The serious nature of his conduct towards RWWA officials when they attended his premises on 22 March 2019.
- The need for deterrence both general and specific.
Particulars of the charges include:
Charge 1 – Harness Rule of Racing 190 (2)
The particulars of the charge are that Mr M Henwood, as the trainer, presented BARON JUJON to race in Race 3 at Narrogin on 22 January 2019, where it raced and finished first with the prohibited substances cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester present within the horse.
Charge 2 – Harness Rule of Racing 190 (2)
The particulars of the charge are that Mr M Henwood, as the trainer, presented BARON JUJON to race in Race 4 at Northam on 16 February 2019, where it raced and finished unplaced with the prohibited substances cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester present within the horse.
Charge 3 – Harness Rule of Racing 231 (1) (e)
The particulars of the charge are that on 22 March 2019, when stewards attended Mr M Henwood’s premises for the purposes of conducting an investigation in relation to the report of cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester being detected in samples taken from BARON JUJON, he assaulted RWWA Industry Veterinarian Dr J Medd in the paddock in which horses were located as she was attempting to identify them, by deliberately making physical contact to her chest region.
Charge 4 – Harness Rule of Racing 238
The particulars of the charge are that on 22 March 2019, when stewards attended Mr M Henwood’s premises for the purposes of conducting an investigation in relation to the report of cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester being detected in samples taken from BARON JUJON, he failed to comply with the requirement of the stewards to conduct a comprehensive search and inspection of his premises, as notified to him verbally and in writing at the time. Mr M Henwood failed to comply by repeatedly directing them to leave and as a result of his response, the stewards were unable to conduct such search and inspection.
Charge 5 – Harness Rule of Racing 231 (2)
The particulars of the charge are that on 22 March 2019, when stewards attended Mr M Henwood’s premises for the purposes of conducting an investigation in relation to the report of cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester being detected in samples taken from BARON JUJON, upon being advised of the stewards intention to conduct a search and inspection of the premises whilst participating in a video interview, he did misconduct himself by proceeding to behave in a loud and aggressive manner towards RWWA officials present at that time. This conduct was not of a manner reasonably expected of licensed persons towards officials.