Stewards Inquiry – Trainer Mr Les Coulson
5 February, 2016
Harness
Stewards have now completed their deliberations and determined the matter of penalty in respect of the charges issued under Harness Rules of Racing 196A (1)(ii) and 190 (1) & (2) against Trainer Mr Les Coulson at the previously conducted inquiry on 1 February 2016.
The respective charges related to the following samples that were reported by the Chem Centre WA that, as confirmed by RASL, were found to contain cobalt at a concentration in excess of 200 micrograms per litre. (That being the threshold prescribed in the Harness Rules of Racing (HRR)).
30th October 2015 – ANOTHER VINNIE – Gloucester Park Race 7
11th July 2015 – NOT SMALL – Bunbury Race 2
24th July 2015 – ANOTHER VINNIE – Gloucester Park Race 7
1st August 2015 – ANOTHER VINNIE – Bunbury Race 6
Mr Coulson was found guilty of four charges issued under Harness Rule of Racing 196(A)(ii) relating to the administration of the prohibited substance cobalt to the horses listed above, which was then detected in the urine samples taken at a level above the prescribed threshold.
Mr Coulson pleaded guilty to four charges issued under HRR 190 (1) & (2) relating to the presentation of the horses listed above not free of the prohibited substance cobalt as evidenced by a concentration in excess of the 200μg/L threshold.
After taking into account all matters the Stewards imposed a 3 year disqualification for each of the four offences under HRR196A(1)(ii). The Stewards have also determined that 6 – months of the penalties issued for charges 2, 3 and 4 are to be served cumulatively with the penalty for charge 1, such that the total period of disqualification is to be 4 years and 6 months.
In relation to charges 5, 6, 7 and 8, the Stewards imposed an 18 month disqualification for each offence and directed that 6-months of the penalties issued for charges 6,7 and 8 are to be served cumulatively with the penalty issued for charge 5 such that a total of 3 years of disqualification applies in total, with the penalties issued for the breaches under Rule 190 (1) and (2) to be served concurrently with those issued under 196A (1)(ii).
In summary the total period of disqualification that applies is 4 – years and 6 – months.
The penalty was backdated to commence as of 2 December 2015, that being the date upon which Mr Coulson’s licence was suspended under Rule 183.
In addition, pursuant to Harness Racing Rule 195 ANOTHER VINNIE and NOT SMALL are disqualified from the races in question with the placings amended accordingly and the prize money applicable forfeited and to be returned to RWWA.
In regards to penalty the Stewards considered and took into account as appropriate:
- His guilty plea to the charges under Rule 190 (1)(2).
- His record which included a 2008 offence under Rule 190 (1)(2) relating to an excessive level of TCO2 in a sample taken from his horse ECHOES for which he was disqualified for 6-months.
- His personal circumstances, level of involvement and that he had been involved in the industry for many years.
- The seriousness of the offences and the reported levels that ranged from 720μg/L to 1,500μg/L which are the highest levels reported from any Western Australian samples since testing commenced and significantly above the 200μg/L threshold.
- That the source of the findings was as a result of the conscious administration of a cobalt powder indicated for use in sheep and cattle and not registered for use in horses, which was found to be highly concentrated. His awareness or understanding of the potential for such administration to impact the blood system.
- That Mr Coulson’s regular feeding regime and use of this powder was not supported by any professional advice despite the various industry warnings about cobalt products that have been issued.
- Penalties issued in other jurisdictions in relation to this prohibited substance.
- The need for deterrence both general and specific.