On 17 October 2024, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered a charge issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against licensed trainer Kent Harpley under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190(1).

AHRR 190(1) reads as follows:

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

The charge related to a urine sample collected from the horse My Lady Sarah after it won Race 8, the “Forty Winks New Location Epsom Pace (2nd Heat)”, at the Bendigo harness racing meeting on 31 October 2023. Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported the sample contained the prohibited substances capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin.

Mr Harpley pleaded guilty to the charge before submissions on penalty were heard from Andrew Cusumano, on behalf of the HRV Stewards, and from Mr Harpley.

Penalty

Mr Harpley was fined $3000, with $1500 of that fine suspended for a period of 12 months.

The VRT also ordered that, under AHRR 195, My Lady Sarah be disqualified from Race 8 at Bendigo on 31 October 2023 and that the placings be amended accordingly. Under AHRR 200(1) any prizemoney won by My Lady Sarah from the race is to be refunded to HRV.

 

VRT Panel: The matter was heard by Judge Kathryn Kings (Deputy Chairperson) and Maree Payne.

 

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)