Harness Stewards Inquiry – Trainer Mr Dennis Wych (CLASSY SAVETTE)
RWWA Stewards have concluded the inquiry into the report received from the Chem Centre 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 CLASSY SAVETTE at Pinjarra on 31 August 2020 after it had competed in and finished 9th in Race 5.
After hearing evidence from trainer Mr. Dennis Wych, Chem Centre Analyst Ms. N Beckett, RWWA Industry Veterinarian Dr. J Medd and RWWA Stewards Compliance Officer Ms F. Bennett, Mr Wych pleaded guilty to the following charge:
Rule 190 Presentation free of prohibited substances.
Particulars: That Mr D. Wych as the trainer presented CLASSY SAVETTE to race in Race 5 at Pinjarra on 31 August 2020, where it raced and finished 9th, not free of the prohibited substance cobalt, evidenced by a concentration of cobalt at a level in excess of 100 micrograms per litre in urine.
In determining penalty, Stewards too into account several factors, including:
- Mr Wych’s personal circumstances and level of involvement within the industry which is at a hobby level.
- His plea of guilty, overall record in racing and co-operation throughout.
- 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.
- That there was no explanation or evidence that served to satisfactorily explain the reported reading.
- His previous disqualification of 15-months imposed on 15 September 2020 in relation to RICHIE REACTOR also returning a level of cobalt above the threshold prescribed for plasma (25ug/L) which is pending appeal before the Racing Penalties Appeal Tribunal.
Considering all matters the Stewards determined the appropriate penalty to be a disqualification of 12-months.
Having regard to the principles of totality, the Stewards also have directed that 7-month of this penalty is to be served concurrently with the 15-month period of disqualification already imposed for the same offence under HRR190 in relation to RICHIE REACTOR. Accordingly, an additional 5 months of this penalty is to be served cumulatively, with the date of effect backdated as is necessary to achieve an expiry date of 30 April 2022.
Further acting under Harness Rule of Racing 195, CLASSY SAVETTE was disqualified from the race in question with placings to be amended accordingly with the commensurate implications to all stake money and payments to apply.