Harness Stewards Inquiry- Trainer Mr Phillip Henwood (AVIVO)
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Stewards today conducted an inquiry into a report received from Ms F Bennett, RWWA Compliance Officer, regarding blood samples taken from horses nominated to compete at the Byford Trials on Sunday, 8 August 2021.
Evidence was taken from Mr Phillip Henwood, Trainer of AVIVO and Dr Judith Medd, Manager Veterinary Services, RWWA.
Mr Henwood pleaded guilty to a charge under HR196(D) (1), which states;
HR196D. Administering Substances
(1) A person shall not within eight (8) clear days of the commencement of a race administer, attempt to administer or cause to be administered an intra-articular injection to a horse nominated for that race. RWWA Rules of Harness Racing. 71
(2) A Steward shall order the withdrawal or disqualification of a horse that has been either the subject of an administration or an attempted administration of an injection in breach of sub-rule (1).
(3) A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.
(4) For the purposes of this Rule “one clear day” means the twenty four (24) hour period from 12.01 a.m. to midnight.
The particulars of the charge being that Mr Henwood, as the trainer of AVIVO, caused the intra-articular injection of Triamcinolone (Kenacort), being an anti-inflammatory medication, on 3 August 2021, being five (5) days prior to the mare being nominated for Byford Trials on 8 August 2021.
When the blood specimens were taken from AVIVO, Mr Henwood informed RWWA officials of the administration of Triamcinolone within the prescribed period as stipulated in HR196D, and the mare was subsequently withdrawn from its trial.
The blood samples taken from AVIVO underwent analysis at the ChemCentre and were found to be clear of any prohibited substances.
After deliberating on the matter of penalty, Stewards imposed a fine of $1,000 with the following factors being considered:
- Mr Henwood’s unblemished record over many years as a trainer within the harness racing industry
- The acknowledgement of the offence as evidenced by his plea of guilt and candid admissions and forthright evidence given throughout this matter
- The need for deterrence both general and specific