JCA Hearing - Allford. Substance caught injecting was formalin.

[Chief Stipe]

Harness racing trainer caught on camera injecting horse in undercover sting

Sam Sherwood16:45, May 05 2021

ac

 

CHRIS SKELTON/STUFF

Jesse Alford injected horses he trained with formalin, a banned substance.

 

Details of a secret sting that caught disgraced harness racing trainer Jesse Alford injecting two horses with a prohibited substance have emerged at a hearing where integrity officials called for him to be banned from the sport for nine years.

Alford appeared at a penalty hearing before the Judicial Control Authority at Addington Raceway on Wednesday after pleading guilty to two charges of administering a prohibited substance on race day and one charge of attempting to administer a prohibited substance.

At the hearing it was revealed that Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) investigators planted a hidden camera near the Woodend Beach stables the 30-year-old shared after receiving a tip he was doping horses.

On February 25 they caught him red-handed as he injected two horses, Johnny Nevits and Jimmy Cannon, with a substance, and attempted to tube one of them, two hours before they were due to race at the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club meet at Addington Raceway.

Tubing is an illegal process that allows a chemical solution to be administered to a horse to improve its stamina.

The hidden camera footage was among evidence presented at Wednesday's hearing.

According to the summary of facts, Alford injected Jimmy Cannon in the neck using a syringe filled with 10 millilitres of formalin, which contains about 10 per cent formaldehyde, while another person, whose name is suppressed, held the horse by its head collar.

SUPPLIED

Horse Jimmy Cannon had eight podium finishes in 36 starts. The horse has since been put down.

The administering of formalin is banned as it can affect a horse’s cardiovascular system.

Alford then tried to tube Johnny Nevits using a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and water – commonly known in the industry as a milkshake. However, the procedure was abandoned after the horse became “fractious” and the person assisting Alford said they didn’t feel comfortable.

Alford then injected Johnny Nevits with formalin.

Moments later RIU investigators raided the property. They found a plastic bucket of tubing gear, including a rubber hose and plastic funnel, several empty syringes in a wheelie bin, a third syringe loaded with formalin and a 2-litre plastic container half-filled with the substance.

CHRIS SKELTON/STUFF

Jesse Alford arrives at Addington Raceway for his Judicial Control Authority hearing on Wednesday.

All three horses were scratched from racing that day and taken away for blood testing.

Betting records showed several unusual bets had been placed on Johnny Nevits and Motor Mouth, another horse trained by Alford, the day before the race. Motor Mouth was initially paying $9 to win one of the races but at the time it was scratched, it had fallen to $2.80, indicating large amounts of money had been bet on it.

Alford asked the investigators: “What made you guys come out here today? Was it the betting? ... It must have been the betting.”

In a statement, Alford admitted injecting Jimmy Cannon with a “bleeder shot” and attempting to tube Johnny Nevits.

He initially denied injecting Johnny Nevits, but later came clean.

In submissions to Wednesday’s hearing, the RIU said there were several aggravating features to Alford’s offending, including the type of substance used and the serious impact it could have had on the horses’ health.

There was no legitimate reason to inject formalin into a horse, it said.

“In fact, it is so harmful to animal welfare that there have not been any studies into the effects of its intravenous administration – nor can there be, no ethics committee would approve such a trial.”

The RIU said it believed Alford would likely have administered a substance to a third horse, Motor Mouth, if RIU investigators had not arrived when they did.

ALDEN WILLIAMS/STUFF

Jesse Alford was suspended in February after Racing Integrity Unit investigators caught him administering a substance to two horses. (File photo)

The impact of Alford’s offending on the industry’s reputation was “significant” and there had been “intense media scrutiny”.

RIU counsel Michael Hodge said the offending was at the “top end”.

“[It] conforms to the very worst stereotypes ... against the industry – that it’s rigged and trainers cheat, that it’s harmful to the welfare of animals. Those stereotypes are wrong, they’re unfair, they're not representative or accurate.”

Alford should be banned from the sport for up to nine years, Hodge said. That penalty factored in a 25 per cent reduction for the trainer’s early guilty plea.

Alford’s lawyer, Kerry Cook, asked for a disqualification of four years. Alford briefly addressed the committee, saying he was “very remorseful”, and the disqualification would have a “massive impact” on his life and his family.

Cook said Alford was entitled to credit for his guilty pleas, remorse, previous good record, the harm he would suffer and his previous good character.

“Any disqualification is serious. It removes the ability of any involvement in something which provides him with an income and much pleasure.”

The JCA reserved its decision.

[Chief Stipe]

Mmmmm this is getting more interesting.

10 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

There was no legitimate reason to inject formalin into a horse, it said.

“In fact, it is so harmful to animal welfare that there have not been any studies into the effects of its intravenous administration – nor can there be, no ethics committee would approve such a trial.”

The counsel for the RIU is wrong there have been trials. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11039546/  Effects of intravenous administration of formaldehyde on platelet and coagulation variables in healthy horses

https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eve.13451?af=R Intravenous formalin for treatment of haemorrhage in horses

The rationale for the trials was that formaldehyde may have a therapeutic effect for horses that bleed i.e. suffer from EIPH (Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhaging).

It should also be noted that we ALL have formaldehyde in our blood as does every horse.  It is a critical chemical involved in some fundamental biological processes.  If I recall correctly from biochemistry studies it is produced by the liver. 

No doubt we will see another headline where it is referred to as "embalming fluid".  

 

[Chief Stipe]

Another question that should have been asked of the RIU was - did they detect prior positives to formalin?  If so why didn't they act sooner?

Formalin/formaldehyde has been detectable by the testing labs since at least 2005.

Regardless if they couldn't detect formaldehyde in a horse's blood which they were testing then that horse would not have been alive.

[Basil]

3 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Mmmmm this is getting more interesting.

The counsel for the RIU is wrong there have been trials. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11039546/  Effects of intravenous administration of formaldehyde on platelet and coagulation variables in healthy horses

https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eve.13451?af=R Intravenous formalin for treatment of haemorrhage in horses

The rationale for the trials was that formaldehyde may have a therapeutic effect for horses that bleed i.e. suffer from EIPH (Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhaging).

It should also be noted that we ALL have formaldehyde in our blood as does every horse.  It is a critical chemical involved in some fundamental biological processes.  If I recall correctly from biochemistry studies it is produced by the liver. 

No doubt we will see another headline where it is referred to as "embalming fluid".  

 

Although one wonders what the dosages were in these studies compared to that used by Alford. The one study that looked at this issue was hardly sanguine: "Infusion of higher doses of formaldehyde resulted in adverse effects including muscle fasciculations, tachycardia, tachypnea, serous ocular and nasal discharge, agitation, and restlessness." Which is consistent with what happened to Jimmy Cannon.

Bottom line: I have some sympathy for Matt Anderson's situation (even though he 100% brought it on himself), but no penalty is too harsh for Alford.

[Davis]

15 minutes ago, Basil said:

Although one wonders what the dosages were in these studies compared to that used by Alford. The one study that looked at this issue was hardly sanguine: "Infusion of higher doses of formaldehyde resulted in adverse effects including muscle fasciculations, tachycardia, tachypnea, serous ocular and nasal discharge, agitation, and restlessness." Which is consistent with what happened to Jimmy Cannon.

Bottom line: I have some sympathy for Matt Anderson's situation (even though he 100% brought it on himself), but no penalty is too harsh for Alford.

I have zero sympathy for Anderson. What he did to a that woman is inexcusable and a disgrace. Yes, he is a better horsemen than Alford but that wouldn't be hard. Anderson has shown no remorse for beating a defenceless woman. Today, we have further evidence of his dubious character in the latest Press article  giving harness racing hating Von beynon plenty of ammunition. Both Anderson and Phil Burrows must  be banned for life.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/125035147/banned-harness-racing-figure-caught-in-breach-of-disqualification

Edited May 5, 2021 by Davis
Grammar errors

[the galah]

1 hour ago, Basil said:

Although one wonders what the dosages were in these studies compared to that used by Alford. The one study that looked at this issue was hardly sanguine: "Infusion of higher doses of formaldehyde resulted in adverse effects including muscle fasciculations, tachycardia, tachypnea, serous ocular and nasal discharge, agitation, and restlessness." Which is consistent with what happened to Jimmy Cannon.

Bottom line: I have some sympathy for Matt Anderson's situation (even though he 100% brought it on himself), but no penalty is too harsh for Alford.

Couple of things.

Are you inferring the death of jimmy cannon may have been a result of being injected with formaldehyde?

Should alford be treated any different to others who have given their horses that product? If not,then would you be calling for similar penalties to anyone else who it is discovered has used it.

What about vets.  I've always believed vets who administer known performance enhancers on the understanding they are not tested for are more ethically bereft than the horse trainers.

This formaldehyde. It was widely reported during the cobalt saga in australia that it was uncovered that vets from the flemington equine clinic were known to regularly inject formaldehyde into some trainers horses as a way of preventing bleeding.

Do you think there is some connection to a couple of high profile deaths in horses that veterinary clinic oversaw preparations of round that time,or just coincidence?

Why is there never any focus on the ethically bereft vets?

 

 

[the galah]

1 hour ago, Davis said:

I have zero sympathy for Anderson. What he did to a that woman is inexcusable and a disgrace. Yes, he is a better horsemen than Alford but that wouldn't be hard. Anderson has shown no remorse for beating a defenceless woman. Today, we have further evidence of his dubious character in the latest Press article  giving harness racing hating Von beynon plenty of ammunition. Both Anderson and Phil Burrows must  be banned for life.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/125035147/banned-harness-racing-figure-caught-in-breach-of-disqualification

I don't have any sympathy for them either,but talk of life bans seems a bit of an over reaction. I understand why you may have that view,personally i don't share that view but the appropriate penalty is a tough one.

But you have to wonder how dumb these blokes are. O.K.Harness racing is a hard habit to break,but they must think the riu isn't capable of uncovering any wrongdoing,despite what we have seen recently.

They have to realise this is 2021,not 10 or more years ago.

 

[Davis]

16 hours ago, the galah said:

I don't have any sympathy for them either,but talk of life bans seems a bit of an over reaction. I understand why you may have that view,personally i don't share that view but the appropriate penalty is a tough one.

But you have to wonder how dumb these blokes are. O.K.Harness racing is a hard habit to break,but they must think the riu isn't capable of uncovering any wrongdoing,despite what we have seen recently.

They have to realise this is 2021,not 10 or more years ago.

 

Someone from the harness racing fraternity probably shopped them to the RIU. Many honest, hardworking harness racing people are sick of the likes of Alford, Kerr, Burrows, Anderson, McGrath bringing the game into disrepute and making it easy for the likes of Von Beynon to stick the knife in. Burrows is an idiot if he thought that no one would notice, or care, if Anderson was working at his stables. Jackasses like Anderson and Borrows have had many chances Galah and they continue to push their luck breaking the rules. The industry does not need these two gentlemen, both should be banned.

[Brodie]

Whether you agree with Matt”s ban or suspension is irrelevant!

It is just more ammunition for the muck racing MVB and his understudy Sherwood.

It is surprising and pretty stupid that Matt was working for Burrows when he wouldve been well aware that he wasnt allowed to!

I believe that Matt may have been working for one of Phil Burrows stable clients, so that is probably how the connection comes in.

A real shame as Matt Anderson is an extremely talented horseman and hopefully he can come good!

 

 

[Chief Stipe]

20 minutes ago, Brodie said:

A real shame as Matt Anderson is an extremely talented horseman and hopefully he can come good!

 

In my day if you did something wrong you were relegated to dunging out the stables, cleaning ALL the harness each day, feeding out and cleaning the trainers car for a couple of weeks.

I think the penalties are wrong.  Surely stopping someone from training or driving is enough.  But stopping someone from working a horse on a private track for a few dollars seems a bit far to me.

[Derek]

Rubbish Chief! Rules are rules!  He broke them simple as that! 
As an industry we need to show solidarity with the rule enforcers and back them.

Only way we will get some credibility back with the public!

[Rangatira]

43 minutes ago, Derek said:

Rubbish Chief! Rules are rules!  He broke them simple as that!

maybe not

the brodster seems to be advancing a possible defence

but he is very thin on detail so one can't be too sure

[Davis]

1 hour ago, Brodie said:

Whether you agree with Matt”s ban or suspension is irrelevant!

It is just more ammunition for the muck racing MVB and his understudy Sherwood.

It is surprising and pretty stupid that Matt was working for Burrows when he wouldve been well aware that he wasnt allowed to!

I believe that Matt may have been working for one of Phil Burrows stable clients, so that is probably how the connection comes in.

A real shame as Matt Anderson is an extremely talented horseman and hopefully he can come good!

 

 

the fool only had to behave himself for two years on the sideline then he could have resumed his harness career. This serious misjudgement by Anderson will have consequences for both him and the idiot Burrows. Good riddance to both.

[Newmarket]

5 hours ago, Davis said:

Someone from the harness racing fraternity probably shopped them to the RIU. Many honest, hardworking harness racing people are sick of the likes of Alford, Kerr, Burrows, Anderson, McGrath bringing the game into disrepute and making it easy for the likes of Von Beynon to stick the knife in. Burrows is an idiot if he thought that no one would notice, or care, if Anderson was working at his stables. Jackasses like Anderson and Borrows have had many chances Galah and they continue to push their luck breaking the rules. The industry does not need these two gentlemen, both should be banned.

I have been saying it for years. Why do the harness cheaters continue to cheat, because they have known for years, it is worth it, if they do get caught, flick the horse to a cuzzie or bro, then get it back once they can train again. Well done to the dodgy owners too, they make this happen, any decent owner would take the horse from the cheating trainer, but not in nz, they allow it to happen

[Newmarket]

Just to add, person holding the horse is not connected to harness racing. In fact, a little sad that they were involved with it all.

[Trotsfan]

1 hour ago, Rangatira said:

maybe not

the brodster seems to be advancing a possible defence

but he is very thin on detail so one can't be too sure

Dawe contracting

[Chief Stipe]

10 hours ago, Derek said:

Rubbish Chief! Rules are rules!  He broke them simple as that! 
As an industry we need to show solidarity with the rule enforcers and back them.

Only way we will get some credibility back with the public!

The rules are wrong.  Anderson committed a crime which was dealt with through the courts.  It had nothing to do with Harness Racing.  He was sentenced.

Then HRNZ and the JCA do a posturing exercise and rub him out for two years.  A penalty far greater than the one he got through the courts.

That's not justice that is malice and injustice.

[Rangatira]

9 hours ago, Trotsfan said:

Dawe contracting

i knew who he meant when he vaguely said "I believe that Matt may have been working for one of Phil Burrows stable clients"

[Robalan]

It's not rubbish Chief, it's the rules of racing and also the law of the New Zealand

[Chief Stipe]

1 minute ago, Robalan said:

It's not rubbish Chief, it's the rules of racing and also the law of the New Zealand

What you are saying IS rubbish @Robalan  

No LAW of NEW ZEALAND says that any professional association is ABOVE the NZ LAW COURTS!

NO law of New Zealand says that Anderson should be BANNED for two years from his job for a conviction in a Court of Law.  That is only a Harness Racing Rule.

The Judge made a ruling taking into consideration ALL the facts before the Court and sentenced accordingly.  The JCA sentence is disproportionate to that court sentence.  

[JJ Flash]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

That is only a Harness Racing Rule.

If you are a licensed person you must abide by such rules or else what's the use of having them

 

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

The JCA sentence is disproportionate to that court sentence.  

Prove it. Or is this just an  opinion of yours which you are quite entitled to but please don't attack others with a contrary opinion which is your usual response.

Edited May 6, 2021 by JJ Flash

[Freda]

We agree to abide by the rules of a code when being granted a licence.

[Chief Stipe]

4 minutes ago, JJ Flash said:

Prove it. Or is this just an  opinion of yours which you are quite entitled to but please don't attack others with a contrary opinion which is your usual response.

Prove what?  That the sentence given to Anderson by HRNZ was disproportionate to that given to Anderson by the Court?  I realise your obsequious sycophancy has permanently blinded you but even a blind man should be able to tell that difference between 3 months community detention and 12 months intensive supervision versus being banned from going anywhere near a harness horse for 2 years!

Surely banning him from being a licensed trainer or driver for a year was sufficient.  Being confined to dunging out stables, cleaning harness gear, getting up early in the morning to jog or fast work horses but still able to earn something to support himself would be more worthwhile.  

[Chief Stipe]

3 minutes ago, Freda said:

We agree to abide by the rules of a code when being granted a licence.

That's not to say that the rules are correct or just or for that matter legal.  

Anderson was discharged without conviction by the District Court for the MDMA charge.  Part of the rationale behind that decision was that it was accepted by the Judge that Anderson would be stood down as a licensed Harness person.  The JCA suspended him for 6 months starting 1 August last year.  Note that the MDMA charge arose as a "by-product" of the INCA investigation.  It was only discovered due to the wire tapping and surveillance of the Police.  NO charges relating to the purpose of INCA were EVER laid.

My understanding is that the stand down for the MDMA charge had been completed.

But it didn't stop certain individuals at the RIU from continuing to pursue Anderson.  He was put under intense pressure and lost his only source of income for 6 months.  I'm not condoning the assault that was committed.  However that charge was addressed in the Court system and Anderson pleaded guilty and was handed a sentence of 3 months community detention and 12 months intense supervision.

The only rule that I can see that applies is Rule 4 but that only provides for a ban from entering a racecourse for 2 years.  Even then an application can be made for an exemption.  (Can anyone point me to the rule that says the ban extends to not being able to work on a harness racing property?  Yes you might point to the fact that an unlicensed person supposedly can't work on a property but that law isn't applied very well is it?)

So the criminal conviction apparently automatically results in a 2 year stand down.  No discussion no consideration of the facts no nothing.  Sorry you're out for 2 years.  If he was a bus driver or a motor mechanic he'd be back at work as soon as his community detention had been completed.

Yes I can see a case for banning him from training or driving publically for the same length of time as his court sentence i.e. 12 months but no more.  But why ban him from working in a stable?  

That's where the rule is wrong and unjust.  It fails all the tests of restorative justice.  It harks back to an arcane part of the Racing Act that created the term "undesirable persons" which was a sop to the temperance movement or their ilk to put racing beyond repute.  It was a nonsense then and is still a nonsense.  Hell if it was applied by the rule of law then you wouldn't have any owners and no one attending race meetings!

 

[James]

16 hours ago, Brodie said:

Whether you agree with Matt”s ban or suspension is irrelevant!

It is just more ammunition for the muck racing MVB and his understudy Sherwood.

It is surprising and pretty stupid that Matt was working for Burrows when he wouldve been well aware that he wasnt allowed to!

I believe that Matt may have been working for one of Phil Burrows stable clients, so that is probably how the connection comes in.

A real shame as Matt Anderson is an extremely talented horseman and hopefully he can come good!

 

 

BRODIE

GETTING THE IMPRESSION YOU MASSIVE M.ANDERSON  FAN.

HE NOT LIVING WITH YOUR FAMILY ???

PLEASE BE NEUTRAL AND EXPLAIN YOUR POSITION.

YOU EITHER KNOW OR DONT KNOW RE WHO HE WAS WORKING FOR

#transperiency