Banned Driving Horse and Pony Club (DHPC) committee member Colin Mello yesterday dismissed the harness racing doping scandal as a "storm in a tea cup".

And he also denied allegations he had a hidden agenda to see drug testing rules relaxed in order that his own top contender, Big Red Machine, can continue an assault on the sport's record books.

Big Red Machine briefly held the Vesey Street track record last year and is ranked among the leading race ponies on the Island.

"That's false and I think this whole thing has been blown out of proportion," Mello told The Royal Gazette. "I'm not the one pushing for reform . . . I can't even go to the meeting and have a say because I am suspended."

However, one harness racing source, who asked not to be named, painted a completely different picture.

"One horse was banned last December and nothing was said. The owner didn't make any fuss because he knew the risks and just accepted his fate. But now a committee member gets caught for doping his horse and all of a sudden the drug policy in place becomes a big issue. This whole thing has become a big issue simply because Colin Mello cannot race Big Red Machine," he argued.

"He (Mello) got tested and one of his horses got banned. And only because one of his horses can possibly break the track record has the whole drug testing process become an issue.

"His horse is one of the top seven horses down there and because he can no longer race it's now a big issue. Just because he served on the committee he maybe figured he wouldn't get caught."

The 29-year old Mello is one of three drivers serving one-year bans for failing a random drug test after his pony Black & Mild tested positive for phenylbutazone (Bute) earlier this month.

Under current DHPC drug policy when an owner's pony fails a drug test all the ponies he owns are also banned from competition, a ruling that has now come under scrutiny at Vesey Street.

Landscaper Mello owns and operates L&M Racing which is co-owned by Robert Lopes, who is the son of past DHPC president David Lopes.

All L&M ponies are boarded at Inwood Stables which is part owned by current DHPC president Nick DeCosta.

Mello has also denied fresh claims that discrimination and steroid use exist in harness racing.

"There's none of that in harness racing. Harness racing is a family sport and everyone gets along down here," he said.

"This whole thing has just been blown way out of proportion."

He said he also strongly supported existing drug testing policy in the sport but admitted laws might have to be revisited to ensure a level playing field.

"I believe the drug testing rules do need to be looked at," he said. "But again I am not among those pushing for reform."

Earlier this week this newspaper revealed that three drivers had fallen foul of drug scans which DHPC members are subjected to on a random basis.

Two ponies tested positive for caffeine while a third was found to have phenylbutazone or Bute in their system.

All drivers are subjected to drug testing by the Bermuda Equestrian Federation while the ponies themselves are tested at the behest of the DHPC.