Harness racing trainer Aaron Woods has been disqualified over one of his horses producing a higher than legal TCO2 reading while competing in a race at Spreyton last month.
Racing Services Tasmania Stewards concluded an inquiry into the elevated
TCO2 readings produced from blood samples taken from Cyrils Me Mate when it
was presented to race and competed in the “The Adams Brooks Group Pace” at the
Devonport Harness Racing Club’s meeting held at Tapeta Park Spreyton on
Wednesday 22 May 2013.
The TCO2 reading reported by Racing Analytical Services Ltd was returned above the permitted level of 36.0 mmol/L.
Cyrils Me Mater finished fifth and 22 metres from the winner Hi Flyin Hawk.
Woods pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 190 (1) which states, “A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.
Woods further pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 193(3) which states, “A person shall not administer or cause to be administered any medication to a horse on race day prior to such horse running in a race.”
Upon hearing submissions with regard to penalty and taking into account all relevant factors, stewards disqualified Woods for four months on the prohibited substance charge and a period of one month on the administration of medications charge.
The disqualification is to commence midnight 7 June 2013 with the periods of disqualification to be served cumulatively.
In accordance with the provisions of AR 195 Cyrils Me Mate was disqualified from its respective race and the results are to be amended accordingly.