Harness stewards’ inquiry – trainer Michael Reed (Montana Glory)
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) stewards conducted an inquiry on 31 January 2024 into reports received from the ChemCentre in Perth and Racing Analytical Services Limited (Vic), that the sample taken from Montana Glory following it racing in, and winning, Race 8 at Gloucester Park on 31 October 2023 was found to contain the prohibited substance dexamethasone.
At the inquiry evidence was heard from:
- Chem Centre representative – Dr B Dorakumbura
- RWWA Regulatory Veterinarian – Dr C McMullen
- RWWA Senior Investigative Steward – Mr P Criddle
- Licensed trainer – Mr M Reed, assisted by counsel Ms K Espiner (Hugo Law Group)
Mr Reed subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge issued under Harness Rule of Racing (HRR) 190 (1) (2) with the particulars being: as the licensed trainer he presented Montana Glory to race in Race 8 at Gloucester Park on 31 October 2023 where it raced and finished first, not free of the prohibited substance dexamethasone.
After adjourning to consider submissions on penalty, including a subsequent written submission on behalf of Mr Reed from his counsel, stewards determined on 7 February 2024 to impose a fine of $8500 for this offence.
In addition, acting under HRR 195, stewards determined to disqualify Montana Glory from the race in question with the placings to be amended accordingly and the commensurate implications to all prize money and payments to apply.
When determining penalty, stewards considered, among other things:
- Mr Reed’s plea of guilty, level and history of involvement in harness racing.
- The nature of the substances detected, which was a corticosteroid, prescription animal remedy commonly used therapeutically as an anti-inflammatory.
- The intent and purpose of the Rule, which was directed to ensuring a level playing field, the welfare of the horses and maintaining the necessary confidence of those supporting or involved in the racing industry.
- Previous penalties issued with respect to the detections of dexamethasone and other similar anti-inflammatories.
- That the reported level was very low and only marginally above the 0.2ng/mL screening limit in urine. Further that such level was consistent with the reported administration of dexamethasone via a nebuliser treatment three days prior to racing as had been common practice by Mr Reed over several years.
- That since the publication of the lowering of the screening limit for dexamethasone in 2015, it had been recommended to review withdrawal periods to ensure adequate or additional safety margins to account for individual biological variations. In this instance, the three-day withdrawal time had not been sufficient for this dose and route of administration by nebuliser.