A Canterbury harness racing trainer has pleaded guilty to administering a prohibited substance to two horses on race day.
The trainer, who faces a potential life ban, says he is sorry for his actions, saying they “have no place in racing”.
Jesse Alford was suspended in February after Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) investigators caught him injecting a substance to two horses, Johnny Nevits and Jimmy Cannon, at his stables in Woodend Beach, two hours before they were due to take the track.
It is understood investigators also saw him trying to tube Nevits. Tubing is an illegal process that allows a chemical solution to be administered to improve a horse’s stamina.
Alford formally admitted two charges of administering a prohibited substance on race day and one charge of attempting to administer a prohibited substance. A penalty hearing will be held next month.
In a statement to Stuff through his lawyer, Alford said he was “very sorry to owners, other harness racing participants and the public”.
“My actions were unacceptable and have no place in racing. I have let myself and others down. I will now await my penalty from the Judicial Control Authority”.
The penalties include a fine of up to $30,000 and disqualification from holding or obtaining a licence for any specific period, including life.
Harness Racing New Zealand’s chief executive Gary Woodham said it was “refreshing to see people owning their actions”.
“Transparency, ownership and accountability are what our sport needs.”
When approached previously by Stuff Alford, who has had eight wins in 39 starts since the beginning of the 2020, said “I wasn’t doping”.
