Junee trainer Bruce Harpley will front a Harness Racing NSW stewards inquiry after one of his pacers recorded a swab irregularity.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Whiskiesonthebeach was found to have sedative oxazepam in his system following his win at Temora on February 9.
Harpley believes it was an unintentional cross-contamination.
Initially Harpley was at a loss to explain how it could have happened.
However after hours of searching Harpley's properly run off from a septic tank from the old family house into a paddock housing Whiskiesonthebeach is believed to be the source.
The Group One winner is horrified by the situation.
"This is just one of those that happens and you have no control over whatsoever," Harpley said.
"I wouldn't have thought in a million years something like this would happen."
Harpley is a third generation horseman and his father Allan Harpley is regarded as one of the Riverina's all time greats.
He hopes the alleged cross-contamination case won't detract from that.
"It is my reputation with my family's reputation," Harpley said.
"As the third generation none of us have either have a swab irregularity let alone a positive swab.
"I take this very, very seriously it and I pride myself on being up front with owners and horses."
HRNSW investigator Natasha Ackland has taken samples of grass and dirt from around the area and investigations continue.
A date for a hearing is yet to be fixed.
Following submissions and all available evidence stewards decided no to invoke rule 183 and stand down Harpley.
He remains free to participate in the sport however Whiskiesonthebeach can not race until the outcome of the inquiry.
The win on February 9 was Whiskiesonthebeach's first at start 25.
He's since been placed twice including a second in his last start at Wagga on April 1.