Stewards Inquiry – Trainer Mr Bruce Stanley
2 June, 2016
Harness
RWWA Stewards have now concluded the inquiry commenced on 15 April 2015 into two reports received from the ChemCentre in Perth, that cobalt at a concentration in excess of 200 micrograms per litre, being the threshold prescribed in the Harness Rules of Racing, had been detected in urine samples taken from ENJOY A MALABU at Gloucester Park on 7 November 2014 after it had competed and won in Race 8, and on 29 November 2014 after it had competed and won in Race 2.
The inquiry was adjourned on the 15 April 2015 in order for Mr Stanley to obtain legal advice prior to entering a plea to charges 1 and 2 below. Due to medical reasons the inquiry did not resume until 1 March 2016. Mr Stanley had been suspended pending the outcome of this matter since 25 March 2015.
At the resumed inquiry on the 1 March 2016, Mr Stanley pleaded not guilty to the following two charges, having previously pleaded guilty to charge 3.
- Rule 190 Presentation Free of Prohibited Substances – with the particulars of the charge being that as the trainer, he presented ENJOY A MALABU to race in Race 8 at Gloucester Park on 7 November 2014 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 200 micrograms per litre in urine.
- Rule 190 Presentation Free of Prohibited Substances – with the particulars of the charge being that, as the trainer, he presented ENJOY A MALABU to race in Race 2 at Gloucester Park on 29 November 2014 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 200 micrograms per litre in urine.
- Rule 190B A trainer shall at all times keep and maintain a log book – with the particulars of the charge being that Mr Stanley did fail to comply with the provisions of that rule in that he did not keep and maintain a log book recording all details of treatment administered to horses in his care.
The inquiry then proceeded on the 28 April 2016 following which the Stewards did determine to find Mr Stanley guilty to charges 1 and 2.
After hearing submissions on the question of penalty on 24 May 2016, the Stewards have now concluded the matter and have issued the following penalties.
- In relation to charges 1 and 2, the Stewards imposed a twelve (12) month disqualification for each offence.
The Stewards have also determined that the total period of disqualification that is appropriate to apply is a period of eighteen (18) months effective as of 25 March 2015 which was the date upon which Mr Stanley was stood down pursuant to Rule 183. To give effect to this, six (6) months of the total penalty for the two offences is to be served concurrently.
Accordingly the period of disqualification will expire as of midnight 24 September 2016.
- In relation to Charge 3 the Stewards imposed a fine of $300.
- In addition, pursuant to Rule195 in relation to the sample taken on 7 November 2014 and 29 November 2014, ENJOY A MALABU is disqualified from the races it competed in on those day’s with the prize money applicable forfeited and to be returned to RWWA.
In regards to penalty the Stewards considered and took into account as appropriate:
- Mr Stanley’s personal circumstances and level of involvement in the industry over many years.
- His past record which indicated a 2013 offence under Rule 190 in relation to the presentation of ENJOYABLE with the presence of the metabolite oxyphenbutazone which led to the imposition of a $3,000. This previous offence being in relation to a therapeutic was not a factor of aggravation.
- The levels involved which were 450μg/L and 260μg/L (ChemCentre) and not considered to be extreme.
- The seriousness of the offence and the panel’s view that a starting point of penalty for an offence of this nature for levels as apply in the present case was a period of disqualification of no less than two years subject to individual circumstances and mitigations that may apply.
- That the offence was one of ‘presentation’ as opposed to ‘administration’.
- Penalties issued in WA and other jurisdictions in relation to this prohibited substance.
- The need for deterrence both general and specific.
Media Contact:
Denis Borovica – General Manager Racing Integrity
Ph: 9445 5427
denis.borovica@rwwa.com.au