Haydon Gray, driver of Rigondeaux, pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 168(1)(g) which states:
A person shall not before, during or after a race drive in a manner which is in the opinion of the stewards likely to endanger person or horse.
The particulars of the charge being that when pulling up at the completion of the race Mr Gray drove in a manner which in the opinion of the Stewards was likely to endanger person or horse by intentionally directing Rigondeaux outwards resulting in the gelding making contact with the outside fence and as a result of the contact the gelding suffered a laceration to the bottom lip and the sulky of Mr Gray becoming unbalanced resulting in him being momentarily unseated. In assessing penalty Stewards took into account the relevant considerations as outlined within the HRV StewardsMinimum Penalty Guidelines placing weight on Mr Gray’s guilty plea and the circumstances of this incident, specifically that injury occurred to Rigondeaux and the completely unnecessary nature of the incident. Stewards further were mindful that any penalty must demonstrate that safety and welfare of horse and driver is paramount and such conduct will not be condoned.
Stewards accordingly imposed a 6 month suspension of Mr Gray’s licence to drive in races and a $5,000 fine. This suspension was ordered to commence immediately.
https://www.harness.org.au/racing/st...l/?mc=BN210219