A $5000 fine for intentional Heptaminol administration within the recommended withdrawal period?

[Leggy 4,096]

 

INQUIRY INTO THE ANALYSTS FINDING OF HEPTAMINOL IN A POST-RACE URINE SAMPLE TAKEN FROM LENNOX ROAD AFTERTHE GELDING COMPETING IN RACE 2–MAIDEN HANDICAP CONDUCTED AT NARRANDERA RACING CLUB ON 17AUGUST 2019.Stewards Room

18October2019

Murrumbidgee Turf Club, Wagga WaggaStewards: J A Shultz(Chairman)S K Knight

Racing NSW Stewards today conducted an inquiry intoreports from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) and Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) concerning the Analysts findings of Heptaminol in a post-race urine sample taken from Lennox Road after the gelding competed in  and won Race 2–Maiden Handicap conducted at the Narrandera racecourse on Saturday 17 August2019. Evidence was today taken from trainer o fLennox Road, Mr George Dimitropoulos, Racing NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Toby Koenig and ARFL Science Manager Dr Adam Cawley. The inquiry established that Mr Dimitropoulos had administered Dynajec, a product which contains Heptaminol on or around 4pm Thursday 15 August 2019 to Lennox Road which fails to comply with recommended veterinary advice regarding the withdrawal time for Heptaminol. Mr Dimitrpoulos pleaded guilty to a charge under AR245(1) of having administered or caused to be administered a prohibited substance, namely Heptaminol to the race horse Lennox Road which was detected in a post-race urine sample taken from Lennox Road following its participation in Race 2–The Maiden Handicap at Narrandera racecourse on 17August2019. Having considered relevant matters in respect to penalty ,including this was Mr Dimitropoulos first offence under this rule, his guilty plea and his forthright evidence,he was fined the sum of $5000. Mr Dimitropoulos was advised of his right of appeal.