Non Raceday Request for a Ruling – Written Decision dated 15 March 2022 – EL DORADO

REQUEST:

The Applicant the RIB seeks a Ruling under Rule 1004D(2) of the NZ Harness Rules of Racing, that horse “EL DORADO” be disqualified from Race 4 at the Hawera Harness Racing Club on 23 February 2022.

FACTS:

On 23 February 2022 Mr Scott Dickson, being the registered Trainer of the standardbred “EL DORADO” which had been taken to the Hawera Harness Racing Club for the purpose of engaging in Race 4, the Revital Fertiliser Taranaki Cup Mobile Pace, failed to present the said horse free of prohibited substances namely Bicarbonate or other alkali substance as evidenced by a blood Tc02 level of 37.7mm ol/l.

This is in breach of the Prohibited Substance Rule, 1004A(3), the Rule states:

A horse shall be presented for a Race with a total carbon dioxide (Tc02) level at or below the level of 36.0 millimoles per litre in plasma.

Rule 1004D(2) states:

Any horse connected with a breach of the Rule must be disqualified from the Race and may in addition be disqualified for a period not exceeding 5 years.

“EL DORADO” is owned by Mr S Dickson, Miss LM Pickford and the Chase A Fox Racing Syndicate.

The horse was correctly entered and presented by Trainer Mr Dickson for the said race on 23 February 2022.

“EL DORADO” was driven by Mr D Butcher and finished in last position (9th) after galloping with 200m to run.

“EL DORADO” earned $175.

“EL DORADO” was one of 8 horses selected to be pre-Race Tc02 blood tested.

The samples were recorded with HRNZ Reference ID Number 58027.

The Summary of Facts was agreed to by Mr Dickson, who accepted that the horse “EL DORADO” had to be disqualified under the Rules.  Mr Dickson agreed that the matter be dealt with on the papers.

RULING

Pursuant to Rule 1004D(2) the Adjudicative Committee Disqualified “EL DORADO” from Race 4 at the Hawera Harness Racing Club meeting, held on 23 February 2022.