Harness Stewards Inquiry – Trainer Mrs Christine O’Driscoll (MISTER RIGGERS
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Stewards have concluded an inquiry into the reports of the ChemCentre (Perth) and Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) that cobalt at a concentration of 190ug/L had been detected in the sample taken from MISTER RIGGERS, trained by Mrs Christine O’Driscoll, following it competing in and winning Race Four at Northam on 16 April 2021.
At the inquiry conducted on Wednesday 2 June 2021, evidence was heard from ChemCentre representative Ms E Cook, RWWA Manager Veterinary Services Dr J Medd and RWWA Compliance Officer Ms F Bennett in addition to receiving submissions from Mrs O’Driscoll.
Mrs O’Driscoll subsequently pleaded guilty to the following charges:
Charge 1
HR 196A (1) (ii) Administering Substances
Particulars:
That you, Mrs C O’Driscoll, a licensed Harness Trainer, did administer prior to the race of 16 April 2021, 20 mls of VAM to the pacer MISTER RIGGERS, with a concentration of cobalt in excess of the threshold of 100µg/L being detected in a post-race urine sample taken from that gelding after it raced and won Race 4 at Northam on 16 April 2021.
Charge 2
HR 190 (1) (2) (4) Presentation free of prohibited substances
Particulars:
That you Mrs C O’Driscoll as the Trainer presented MISTER RIGGERS to race at Northam on the 16 April 2021 where it raced and won not free of the prohibited substance cobalt evidenced by a concentration of cobalt at a level in excess of 100µg/L.
Charge 3
HR 196B (1) Administering Substances
Particulars:
That you, Mrs C O’Driscoll a licensed Trainer, did administer 20 mls VAM to the pacer MISTER RIGGERS within one clear day of the commencement of Race 4 on the 16 April 2021.
After adjourning to consider submissions on penalty, the Stewards have now determined in relation to Charge 1, to impose a disqualification of 18 months effective as of the date Mrs O’Driscoll’s licence was suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry, that being 27 May 2021.
In relation to Charge 2, to impose a disqualification of nine months effective as of the date Mrs. O’Driscoll’s licence was suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry, that being 27 May 2021.
In relation to Charge 3, to impose a disqualification of nine months effective as of the date Mrs. O’Driscoll’s licence was suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry, that being 27 May 2021.
Pursuant to HR 257 Cumulative Penalties, the Stewards direct all three penalties are to run concurrently, which means a total disqualification of 18 months duration, effective as of the date Mrs O’Driscoll’s licence was suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry, that being 27 May 2021.
Further, acting under HR 195 Stewards have determined to disqualify MISTER RIGGERS from the race in question with the placings to be amended accordingly with the commensurate implications to all stake money and payments to apply.
In determining penalty Stewards took into account the following:
- Mrs O’Driscoll’s personal circumstances including the length, level of involvement in racing and that this was her first offence.
- Mrs. O’Driscoll’s guilty plea to all charges.
- The charges included administration and race day treatment by way of injection of a prohibited substance.
- 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 100µg/L.
- The negative perceptions that arise when offences of this nature occur which tarnishes the image of racing being a level playing field.
- Penalties issued in WA in relation to this prohibited substance.
The widely published RWWA material warning about the use of certain supplements which states, amongst other things;
- That a normal racing diet is more than sufficient to meet a horse’s nutritional requirements for cobalt and vitamin B12.
- That registered injectable cobalt supplements offer no nutritional advantages because incorporation of cobalt into the vitamin B12 molecule occurs within the horse’s gut.
- To consult with their veterinarians to ensure that their oral supplementation regimen provides only the amount of cobalt necessary to meet the scientifically established nutritional requirements of the horse for cobalt.
“Whilst the threshold has been set at a level to allow for normal levels of cobalt supplementation through routine nutritional sources, trainers are advised that the administration of certain registered vitamin supplements, particularly by injection, close to racing may result in a level of cobalt in a subsequent sample that exceeds this threshold. Trainers are therefore advised to avoid the use of supplements close to racing.”