On 26 November 2024, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) considered one charge issued by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards against licensed trainer Raharna McDonald 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 AHRR defines "Race" as a race or official trial or official time trial or event in which harness racing horses race or participate.
The charge related to a urine sample collected from the horse ‘The Boost’ prior to Trial 3 at the Mildura Trial Meeting on 6 November 2023. Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported the sample contained the prohibited substance frusemide.
Ms McDonald pleaded guilty to the charge before submissions on penalty were made by Andrew Cusumano on behalf of the HRV Stewards and Ms McDonald.
Penalty
Ms McDonald was fined $3,000 with $1,500 of that fine suspended for a period of 24 months.
The VRT also ordered that ‘The Boost’ be disqualified from Trial 3 at Mildura on 6 November 2023.
VRT Panel: Judge Kathryn Kings and Mr Des Gleeson
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)