Harness Stewards Inquiry – Trainer Mr Dennis Wych (RICHIE REACTOR)
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Stewards have concluded the inquiry into the report received from the ChemCentre in Perth that cobalt, at a concentration in excess of 25 micrograms per litre, being the threshold prescribed in the Harness Rules of Racing, had been detected in a blood sample taken from RICHIE REACTOR at Northam on 15 August 2020 after it had competed in and finished first in Race 9.
After hearing evidence from trainer Mr Dennis Wych, ChemCentre Analyst Dr N. Beckett, RWWA Industry Veterinarian Dr J. Medd and RWWA Senior Investigative Steward Mr P. Criddle, Mr Wych pleaded guilty to the following charge.
Rule 190 – Presentation free of prohibited substances
Particulars: That Mr D. Wych, the trainer, presented RICHIE REACTOR to race in Race 9 at Northam on 15 August 2020, where it raced and finished first, not free of the prohibited substance cobalt, evidenced by a concentration of cobalt at a level in excess of 25 micrograms per litre in plasma.
In determining penalty, Stewards took into account several factors including:
- Mr Wych’s personal circumstances and level of involvement within the industry which was at the hobby level.
- His plea of guilty, cooperation and unblemished record over many years of involvement
- 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 25ug/L in plasma, which in this case was reported as being 200ug/L.
- That there was no explanation or evidence that served to adequately explain a reading of that magnitude with such level unlikely to be attained as a result of the use of any routine supplements.
- Previous penalties imposed in relation to this substance and the need for deterrence both general and specific.
Taking into account all matters, the Stewards determined the appropriate penalty to be a disqualification of 15 months effective as of 1 September 2020 to take into account the period of time Mr Wych’s licence had been suspended pending outcome of the inquiry.
Further acting under Harness Rule of Racing 195, RICHIE REACTOR 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.