February 25, 2011

The Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board today heard a matter in regards to a charge issued by HRV Stewards under Australian Rule of Harness Racing (ARHR) 194 against licensed trainer/driver Mr Phillip Walters.

ARHR 194 reads as follows:

A person who holds or controls drugs unlawfully or which are unlabelled or without a current supporting prescription for a horse presently in the trainer's care  is, if those drugs are capable of being administered to a horse, guilty of an offence.

Mr Phillip Walters pleaded guilty to the charge issued under ARHR 194 which related to a stable inspection conducted by HRV Stewards on 31 July 2009. During this stable inspection, an empty bottle of aminocaproic acid was located by HRV Stewards. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines  Authority (APVMA) indicate that there is no veterinary chemical product containing aminocaproic acid that has been registered for use in Australia and thus aminocaproic acid has no place in a racing horse or a racing stable.

After considering submissions regarding penalty, the HRV RAD Board imposed a fine of $2,000 for Mr Walters.