Harper Receives Five Year Ban
- Wednesday, 15 July 2009 00:00
Harper who trains thoroughbreds and standardbreds has had a history of drug indiscretions.
This is the fourth drug related offence that Harper has been found guilty of and the third involving an elevated TCO2 level.
Harper was also in hot water with Harness Racing Victoria stewards after his pacer, Power Of Tara, returned a high TCO2 level after finishing seventh in the $400,000 A.G Hunter Cup at Moonee Valley in March.
The West Australian has trained thoroughbreds such as Old Nick, winner of the 1998 Fruit ‘N' Veg Stakes and WA Guineas.
That success ensured he finished second behind Neville Parnham on the Perth Trainers' Premiership in 1998/99.
Arguably, Harper has tasted more success with standardbreds where he has trained the winner of the Group 1 Fremantle Pacing Cup on three occasions. The latest of those with Power Of Tara.
He will also be remembered for his association with another Fremantle Pacing Cup winner, Christian Spirit.
Before taking the 2008 Fremantle Cup winner across for the Hunter Cup, Christian Spirit broke a shoulder whilst galloping on the beach, sending Harper flying.
Harper was knocked unconscious and rushed to hospital with concussion and a suspected broken ankle while the star Western Australian pacer was so badly injured he had to be euthanised.
The ban means Harper will be unable to train in either code. He has 14 days to appeal the decision.
