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JULY INTEGRITY UPDATES & INFORMATION
It is to be noted that the current open Inquiries can be found here.
https://www.hrnsw.com.au/racing/stewards/openinquiries
New Inquiries –
7 July 2025 – Mr Dylan Xerri
HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to reports from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Xylometazoline was detected in the following samples:
- Post-race urine sample taken from the horse DUTY OF CARE following its win in Race 4, the D M PLUMBING PACE (1609 metres) conducted at Menangle on Tuesday 6 May 2025.
- Pre-race blood sample taken from the horse DUGGEE SLOY prior to it running in Race 5, the TAB REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - METROPOLITAN HEAT 1 (2300 metres) conducted at Menangle on Tuesday 6 May 2025.
- Post-race blood sample taken from the horse DUGGEE SLOY following its third placing in Race 6, the TAB REGIONAL FINAL – METROPOLITAN (LISTED CLASSIC) (2300 metres) conducted at Menangle on Saturday 17 May 2025.
The reserve portion/control solution for the urine sample and ‘B’ portions for the blood samples have been confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
9 July 2025 – Mr Tony Bertwistle
HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Government National Measurement Institute (NMI) that Cobalt above the threshold of 100 micrograms per litre in urine was detected in the post-race urine sample taken from HARLEEQUIN following its win in race 2, the ODE OF REMEMBRANCE PACE (2125 metres) conducted at Penrith on Thursday 24 April 2025.
The reserve portion and control solution have been confirmed by the ChemCentre in Western Australia.
10 July 2025 – Mr Jarred Hetherington
HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Government National Measurement Institute (NMI) that Cobalt above the threshold of 100 micrograms per litre in urine was detected in the post-race urine sample taken from DANCIN WITH LUSH following its win in race 1, the ABERMAIN METRO - KAELI HEPWORTH PACING FOR PINK PACE (1980 metres) conducted at Tamworth on Thursday 22 May 2025.
The reserve portion and control solution have been confirmed by the ChemCentre in Western Australia.
25 July 2025 – Mr Luke McCarthy
HRNSW Stewards have commenced an investigation in relation to a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) has advised HRNSW that Cocaine has been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from KINGMAKER NZ following its win in race 5, the BESTINBEDS.COM.AU JD WATTS FFA (LISTED CLASSIC) (1609 metres) conducted at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday 31 May 2025.
The reserve portion and control solution have been confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited in Victoria.
Inquiries Concluded –
2 July 2025 – Mrs Ellise Judd & Mr Glen Judd
HRNSW Stewards conducted an Inquiry into a report received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Metformin was detected in the post-race urine sample taken from NAPOLI NIGHTS following its win in race 4, the 1 EQUINE PACE (1760 metres) conducted at Junee on Tuesday 18 February 2025.
The reserve portion and control solution were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Mrs Judd pleaded guilty to a charge issued against her pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190 (1), (2) & (4).
In respect of that charge, pursuant to AHRR 256(6) Stewards determined that a conviction would be recorded, however, Stewards did not impose a penalty on Mrs Judd as they were satisfied to the requisite standard that the detection of metformin had resulted from contamination within the stable environment beyond the control of Mrs Judd.
Pursuant to AHRR 195, NAPOLI NIGHTS was disqualified from the subject race.
Mr Judd pleaded guilty to a charge issued against him pursuant to AHRR 239A and was issued with a $1500 fine.
Mr Judd was informed of his appeal rights.
23 July 2025 – Mr Scott Hewitt
HRNSW Stewards conducted an Inquiry into reports received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole was detected in the post-race urine samples obtained from the following horses:
- ALABAMA LIONESS following its win in Race 6, the TAB.COM PACE (2170 metres) conducted at Canberra on Monday 6 May 2024;
- MY CRACKLING ROSIE following its win in Race 4, the MIDDY’S ELECTRICAL GOULBURN PACE (1710 metres) conducted at Goulburn on Monday 20 January 2025.
The reserve portions and control samples were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Mr Hewitt pleaded guilty to two (2) charges issued against him pursuant to AHRR 190 (1), (2) & (4)
In respect of those charges, pursuant to AHRR 256(6), Stewards recorded convictions however no further penalties were imposed.
In considering penalty, Stewards considered the evidence of Dr Knox, including her expert opinion that the presence of Levamisole in the subject horses had resulted from contamination. In addition, Stewards considered the totality of the evidence and the circumstances involved and were satisfied to the requisite standard that Mr Hewitt could not have reasonably foreseen that the horses would be exposed to Levamisole from his sheep operation which was conducted separately on the property.
In addition, after being notified of the sample irregularity in relation to ALABAMA LIONESS, Mr Hewitt implemented a risk management strategy, including but not limited to the following steps:
- Improved fencing to ensure the separation of horses and sheep;
- Completed drainage works on the property to manage waterflow;
- Ceased using levamisole products completely on the property;
- Sought professional advice in relation to veterinary matters and the topography of the property.
Pursuant to AHRR 195, ALABAMA LIONESS and MY CRACKLING ROSIE were disqualified from the subject races.
30 July 2025 – Mr Shane Sanderson
HRNSW Stewards conducted an Inquiry into reports received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that reports received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that tiludronic acid was detected in the following samples obtained from the horse PERFECT STRIDE NZ:
- B239930 - Out of Competition sample obtained on 3 December 2024;
- B238094 - Prerace blood sample obtained prior to Race 5, the TAB INTER DOMINION PACING CHAMPIONSHIP - (SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND HEAT 6 )(1730 metres) conducted at Bathurst on Wednesday 4 December 2024;
- B239099 - Prerace blood sample obtained prior to Race 2, the TAB INTER DOMINION PACING CHAMPIONSHIP - (THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND HEAT 7 )(2300 metres) conducted at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday 7 December 2024;
- B239419 - Out of Competition sample obtained on 12 December 2024.
- N290940 - Postrace urine sample obtained following Race 3, the TAB INTER DOMINION PACERS CONSOLATION (2300 metres) conducted at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday 14 December 2024.
The ‘B’ portions for the blood samples and the reserve portion/control for the urine sample were confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in Victoria.
Mr Sanderson pleaded guilty to three (3) charges issued against him pursuant to AHRR 190 (1), (2) & (4).
In respect of those charges, pursuant to AHRR 256(6), Stewards recorded convictions however no further penalties were imposed.
In considering penalty, Stewards considered the evidence and expert opinions of Dr Knox and Dr Norton in relation to tiludronic acid, bisphosphonates in general, withdrawal/detection times as well as a scientific study in which tiludronic acid was detected in three (3) horses after a period of three (3) years following administration.
In addition, Stewards considered the totality of the evidence and the circumstances involved including the fact that the horse PERFECT STRIDE NZ had been treated with Tildren six (6) months prior to the first sample irregularity.
Pursuant to AHRR 195, PERFECT STRIDE NZ was disqualified from the subject races.
Appeal Decision –
1 July 2025 - Mr Nathan Jack appealed the decision of the NSW Harness Racing Appeal Panel to dismiss his appeal against the decision of HRNSW Stewards to disqualify him for a period of 9 months after he pleaded guilty to charges issued pursuant to AHRR 190(1), (2) & (4) following reports from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) that Levamisole was detected in the following samples:
- Pre-race blood sample taken from the horse SKINNYDIP NZ prior to race 4, the STEEL SUPPLIES PACE (2270 metres) conducted at Wagga on Friday 7 July 2023;
- Post-race blood sample taken from the horse SKINNYDIP NZ following its win in race 4, the MATARANKA PARK STANDARDBREDS PACE (1740 metres) conducted at Wagga on Friday 21 July 2023.
By decision of the NSW Racing Appeals Tribunal, the appeal against severity was upheld and 6 months disqualification imposed for each charge, to be served concurrently.
Integrity Information –
During the month of July, HRNSW Integrity department obtained 737 race day samples.
As per normal HRNSW procedure all samples have been submitted for analysis.
Integrity Notices –
All original notices can be found here.
For further information please contact the HRNSW Integrity Department on (02) 9722 6600.
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