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Racing NSW Stewards conducted an inquiry into licensed stablehand and trackwork rider Gary Kramer providing a urine sample, which upon analysis was found to contain a banned substance.

After considering the evidence, the Stewards issued the following charge:

Offences where riders use banned substances
AR139(1)(a) – After riding trackwork at Port Macquarie on Monday, 30 September 2024 licensed stablehand and trackwork rider, Mr Gary Kramer, provided a sample of his urine which, upon analysis by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory, was found to contain a banned substance.

Plea: Guilty

Penalty
The Stewards considered the following matters in respect to penalty.

1. Objective seriousness of breaches of the banned substance rules.
2. Mr Kramer’s poor record in relation to it being his fifth offence under the banned substance rules.
3. Mr Kramer’s guilty plea and co-operation throughout proceedings.
4. Principles applied by Stewards when issuing penalties.

In considering penalty, the Stewards believed the appropriate starting point for a breach of this nature, was a period of 2½ years suspension of Mr Kramer’s licence in full, reduced to 22 months, allowing for Mr Kramer’s guilty plea.

Such period was backdated to commence when Mr Kramer was stood down from duties on Wednesday, 11 December 2024 and to expire on Sunday, 11 October 2026.

Acting under the provisions of AR141(1) the Stewards ordered that the penalty be stayed from Thursday, 11 June 2026 on the condition that Mr Kramer:

i) Provides a urine sample clear of banned substances prior to Thursday, 11 June 2026.
ii) Has, prior to Thursday, 11 June 2026, satisfied the Stewards that he has completed an appropriate level of drug counselling.

Further, Mr Kramer was advised that due to his multiple prior offences under the banned substance rules, any application to renew his license upon the conclusion of his suspension will be referred to the Racing NSW Licensing Committee.

Mr Kramer was advised of his appeal rights.

- R.W. Loughlin (Chief Steward, Mid North Coast Racing Association)

Relevant Rules
AR 139 Offences where riders use banned substances
(1) A rider breaches these Australian Rules if:
(a) a banned substance under AR 136(1) is detected in a sample taken from the rider;
(4) If a rider incurs a penalty or is prevented by the Stewards from riding under this rule, the rider cannot resume riding until the period of the penalty has expired and a sample from the rider free of any banned substance under AR 136(1) has been delivered, as directed by the Stewards.

AR 141 Stewards may impose a stay on a banned substance offence penalty
(1) The Stewards may stay the operation of any penalty imposed for a breach of AR 136(1) or AR 137(1) in whole or in part, and for a period of time and under the terms and conditions they think fit