Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) last week conducted an inquiry into a report from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory that Total Carbon Dioxide (TCO2) above the prescribed threshold was detected in a pre-race blood sample taken from Three Point Turn NZ prior to Race 1, the Form 700 Pace (1720 metres) at the Young harness meeting.

Mr Townsend was disqualified for a period of 22 months to commence from July  10, 2014 the date  which he  was stood down. 

When considering the penalty, Stewards were mindful of the nature of the substance and the levels detected. 

Stewards also considered the guilty pleas entered and personal subjective facts.

Three Point Turn NZ was disqualified from the July 5 race.

The disqualification comes only a few weeks after HRNSW concluded an inquiry into local trainer Mark Hewitt after a positive swap was taken from Chloes Venture following its win in Race 3 of the Turners Furniture One Pace (2100 metres) in Young on Saturday, March 15, 2014.

Mr Hewitt had previously pleaded guilty to the charge for presenting his horse to race not free of a prohibited substance.

He was disqualified for a period of six months to commence from May 28, 2014, the date Mr Hewitt was stood down. 

In considering penalty, Stewards said they were mindful of the nature of the substance, the guilty plea entered and personal subjective facts.

Acting under the provisions of Rule 195, Chloes Venture was disqualified from the March 15 race.