Harness Stewards Inquiry Trainer Mr Kim Young
At a Stewards inquiry conducted on Wednesday 12 June 2019, Harness trainer Mr Kim Young pleaded guilty to the following:
Charge 1.
Under HRR190 – as the trainer, presented ALEX POLLIZZI NZ to race in race 4 at Collie on 24 February 2019, where it raced and finished third, not free of the prohibited substance flunixin.
The presence of the substance having been detected by the ChemCentre in Perth and confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Ltd (Vic).
Evidence was heard from ChemCentre representative Ms E Cook, RWWA Investigator Mr P Criddle RWWA Industry Veterinarian Dr J Medd and Mr Young.
After adjourning the inquiry to consider the matter of penalty, Stewards today determined to impose a fine of $5,000.
Acting under HRR 195, ALEX POLLIZZI NZ was disqualified from the race in question with placings and stakemonies to be amended accordingly.
In determining penalty Steward took into account several factors including:
• Mr Young’s co-operation and forthright manner as reflected by his plea of guilt
• His previous good record over many years, level of involvement and his personal circumstances
• The nature of the substance flunixin which was classified as a therapeutic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory commonly used in racing for the treatment of musculo-skeletal injuries and illness
• That the four (4)-day withdrawal regime applied by Mr Young based on veterinary advice and past practice in relation to the use of flunixin did not accord with the six (6)-day withdrawal period recommended by the RWWA Industry Veterinarian. Further that such withdrawal regime did not comfortably reconcile with the reported levels seen in the sample
• Previous similar cases where fines had also been issued and confirmed on appeal