On 18 February 2022, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered three charges issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against licensed trainer-driver Gary Donaldson under Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) 190(1), 190B(1) and 194(c).

AHRR 190(1) reads as follows:

A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.

This charge related to a urine sample collected from the horse ‘Liberland’ following it competing in Race 3, the ‘Darryl Edwards H&DHRC Committee Maiden Pace’, at the Horsham harness racing meeting on 17 September 2020. Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported the sample contained cobalt in excess of the allowable threshold.

Mr Donaldson was charged with a breach of AHRR 190B being that he failed to keep and maintain a log book in accordance with the rules.

AHRR 194(c) reads as follows:

A person who:
  1. Procures or attempts to procure;
  2. Has in his possession or on his premises or under his control;
  3. Administers or attempts to administer;
any substance or preparation that has not been registered, labelled, prescribed or obtained in compliance with relevant State and Commonwealth legislation is guilty of an offence.

This charge related to Mr Donaldson administering the treatments “H.A. Plus” and “Super-C” to horses in his care, both of which are not registered in compliance with relevant State and Commonwealth legislation.

Mr Donaldson pleaded guilty to all of the charges before penalty submissions were made on behalf of the HRV Stewards and by Damian Sheales on behalf of Mr Donaldson.

Penalty

Charge 1 - AHRR 190(1) – 4-month suspension of his trainers license, wholly suspended for a period of 12 months.

Charge 2 - AHRR 190B(1) – $250 fine.

Charge 3 – AHRR 194(c) - $500 fine

The VRT also ordered that, under AHRR 195, ‘Liberland’ be disqualified from Race 3 at Horsham on 17 September 2020 and that the placings be amended accordingly.

VRT Panel: Magistrate John Doherty (chair) & Dr June Smith.

The written decisions of the VRT can be found here.

(Please note that VRT Decisions will generally be published within 7-10 days of the date of hearing)