Spiteri fined $3000, horse disqualified

The Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board today considered a charge issued by HRV Stewards under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190(1) against licensed trainer Anthony Spiteri.

AHRR 190(1) reads as follows: A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.

The charge relates to a post-race urine sample collected from the horse ‘Blissfull Stride’ after it finished in first place in Race 6, the ‘Len Fulton Memorial Pace’, at Ballarat on 16 June 2017.

Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported that analysis of the urine sample revealed it to contain capsaicin, a prohibited substance under the AHRR.

The Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) in NSW confirmed the reserve sample contained capsaicin.

Mr Spiteri pleaded guilty to the charge before submissions on penalty were heard from the HRV Stewards and Mr Spiteri. It was acknowledged by the Stewards that the use of a preparation called “Keep Tail” where “Blissfull Stride” was stabled was a possible explanation for the presence of capsaicin in the horse’s urine sample.

In deciding an appropriate penalty, the HRV RAD Board considered the circumstances of the offence Mr Spiteri’s cooperation throughout the investigation and guilty plea at the earliest opportunity, his history in the industry and his personal circumstances.

The HRV RAD Board also emphasised the purpose of the rules in relation to prohibited substances and the need for specific and general deterrence.

Mr Spiteri was subsequently fined $3000, of which $1000 was suspended for a period of 12 months.

The HRV RAD Board also ordered that, under AHRR 195, ‘Blissfull Stride’ be disqualified from Race 6 at Ballarat on 16 June 2017 and that the placings be amended accordingly.

 

HRV RAD Board Panel: Alanna Duffy (Chair), John Kearney, Kevin Carson.