Thoroughbred stewards’ inquiry – trainer Grant Williams (BARONOVA)
Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA) stewards have concluded an inquiry into reports received from the ChemCentre (WA) and Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) Victoria confirming the detection of the prohibited substance Arsenic in the urine sample taken from BARONOVA at Albany races on 24 April 2022, where it raced and won Race 6.
Evidence was taken from trainer Grant Williams, ChemCentre representative Dr N Beckett, RWWA Senior Investigative Steward P Criddle and RWWA Head of Veterinary Services Dr J Medd.
Mr Williams pleaded guilty to breaching AR 240 (2), with the particulars of the charge being that he was the licensed trainer of BARONOVA when it was brought to race at Albany on 24 April 2022 where it raced and won Race 6, with the prohibited substance Arsenic, being a Prohibited List B substance, being detected in a post-race urine sample taken from it as evidenced by a concentration of Arsenic in excess of 0.30 milligrams per litre.
When considering the matter of penalty stewards considered, amongst other things:
- Mr Williams’ personal circumstances, including his many years of participation in the Harness and Thoroughbred industries during which time he had maintained an unblemished record in relation to prohibited substances
- Mr Williams’ acknowledgement of the offence as evidenced by his plea of guilt
- The presence of the Arsenic in the post-race urine sample taken from BARONOVA was due to treated timber posts and railings in the yard where the mare was stabled
- Mr Williams had taken some precautions to prevent the ingestion of Arsenic by BARONOVA by covering treated timber posts with plastic and painting railing with anti-crib product
- That the stewards were satisfied that the reported level of Arsenic was likely to have arisen due to BARONOVA ingesting wooden poles at the property
- There were no products on Mr Williams’ training establishment containing Arsenic
- Previous warnings to participants that future action taken by the stewards, in matters relating to the presentation of horses with Arsenic levels which exceed the threshold, may result in penalties being imposed, regardless of any evidence relating to the ingestion of treated timber products
- Despite warnings being issued, offences in relation to the detection of Arsenic were continuing to occur and there was now a need for penalties to be in place to further encourage all trainers to take the appropriate precautions to prevent horses exceeding the threshold for this substance. In this regard trainers are again reminded to take all necessary steps to avoid horses being exposed to ingestion of treated timber or other products which may contain Arsenic
Taking into account all matters, the stewards determined the appropriate penalty for this offence was a fine of $2000.
Acting under the provisions of AR 240 (1) BARONOVA was disqualified from the race in question and the stewards directed that the placings be amended accordingly with commensurate implications for stake money.