Murrihy Report Into Tasmanian Harness Racing Industry

[Messenger]

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://nre.tas.gov.au/Documents/Final%20Report%20-%20Murrihy.pdf

Minister for Racing, Felix Ellis, said that Tasmanian harness racing has a long and distinguished history of champion horses and drivers, but the release of this Report marks a dark day for racing in Tasmania.

https://www.premier.tas.gov.au/site_resources_2015/additional_releases/final-murrihy-report-into-tasmanian-harness-racing-released

ABC News take:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-31/murrihy-report-tasmania-harness-racing-race-fixing-findings/103374678

[Messenger]

As an immediate action, Tasracing is confirming its legal powers, separate to the Office of Racing Integrity (ORI), to address allegations raised against a number of licensed persons named in the report. Further information about this will be released prior to the Friday night harness race meeting scheduled for Launceston.

https://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=63928

[Messenger]

Could R7 at Launceston become a 1 horse race?

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=LN020224#LNC02022403

[Messenger]

R.1 at Leeton of Friday has 6 Ben Yole runners and 2 Robert Walters runners out of the field of 9

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=LE020224#LEC02022403

[Jasper]

I won’t go into my thoughts on the report apart from saying it needs to be read by every participant in the industry.

I will however applaud those people who spoke out re ABC and then to the investigator. It’s called doing the right thing.They should be proud of themselves.

[trish]

Could R7 at Launceston become a 1 horse race?

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=LN020224#LNC02022403


It will be good to see what comes of this Kev. It has been around for quite some time now.

I thought there was a new rule (whatever it is) put in place last year that only allows NO more than half the field can have horses from one stable in it?? Or did I read that wrong.
But in saying that its an easy fix, horses can go in others names.

[trish]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-01/murrihy-report-harness-racing-tasmania-fallout/103409672


"Reading about the abuse, that's just definitely wrong, and it amazes me that anyone that does that is still allowed to race," Mr Bullock said.

"It's quite incredible, if you took this to any other jurisdiction, they'd be stood down straight away … there's enough evidence there."

[Messenger]

R.1 at Leeton of Friday has 6 Ben Yole runners and 2 Robert Walters runners out of the field of 9

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=LE020224#LEC02022403

It has become a one horse race

see

https://www.harnessracingforum.com/showthread.php?18678-R1-at-Leeton-today-is-a-ONE-horse-race

[trish]

https://tasmaniantimes.com/2024/02/on-harness-racing-trainer-ben-yole/


Immediate Interstate action reported and Prizemoney won is listed.

[Messenger]

Harness Racing Victoria is reviewing today’s statement by Tasracing on the Murrihy Report into Tasmanian Harness Racing.

Tasracing has served formal notices to racing industry participants named in the report of an immediate "warning off" from all venues controlled by Tasracing.

HRV stewards are deliberating on the matter and will respond in due course.

HRV CEO Matt Isaacs said the report revealed troubling accounts that were upsetting and had no place in the sport.

“Harness Racing Victoria is committed to ensuring all participants can compete on a level playing field and that the welfare of its horses and people are its absolute priority,” Isaacs said.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/harness-racing-victoria-deliberating-following-tasracing-notices/

[trish]

As far as I am concerned Mr Ray Murrihy can take a bow.

[Messenger]

I wonder whether he could take over the Chairmanship of HRV from Dale Monteith

[Yabbie]

I wonder whether he could take over the Chairmanship of HRV from Dale Monteith

We will have a new chairman soon as Mr Monteith is leaving the board in March

[Messenger]

We will have a new chairman soon as Mr Monteith is leaving the board in March

Yay! Let's hope we get it right this time

[trish]

How excellent is it to see 9 out of the ten races with full fields at Carrick.

[Jasper]

For sure re Carrick, might even have a bet. I used to enjoy punting on Tassy trots on a Sunday afternoon several years back. Stopped for obvious reasons.

With respect to the Yoles and Fords does anyone know if being warned off is appealable (it must be) and if so is this done through the Appeals Tribunal or a more civil type court process?

[trish]

He has appealed apparently , not sure who through. Let's just hope the correct decision is made .

[Yabbie]

I’m pretty it was a show cause notice, not actually being warned off.

[Messenger]

I agree Carol, I doubt you can be warned off without having been found guilty of something by either the judicial system or Harness rules

[trish]

There is an artical on the abc news that I have no idea how to put it on here as I'm awa
y. ( don't have my computer).

[Jasper]

I agree Carol, I doubt you can be warned off without having been found guilty of something by either the judicial system or Harness rules
It is interesting re the point you make about guilt. In WA it seems that all is needed is for RWWA to form an opinion that a persons attendance at a meeting is “ prejudicial to the proper conduct or control of racing etc.” Then the show cause notice is used re procedural fairness. The rest of the process is vague. I guess any appeal process may be around the word opinion. In WA this is in RWWA regulations although the Act is fairly similar. Also submissions to repeal warned off participants are heard by the Integrity Assurance Committee and appear to be quite rare.

It is an interesting approach to an institutions governance but I guess is only utilised in fairly extreme circumstances.

[Messenger]

There is an artical on the abc news that I have no idea how to put it on here as I'm awa
y. ( don't have my computer).

I think this is the article Trish is referring to

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-06/ben-yole-appeal-over-harness-racing-ban-murrihy-report/103430808

[Messenger]

This is from an ABC News article from last Friday

Last night, it served formal notices to those named in the report, warning them off "all venues controlled by Tasracing in Tasmania".
According to the Australian Rules of Harness racing, a person who has been "warned off" is unable to "participate in any manner in the harness racing industry".

"TasRacing is satisfied it has the grounds on which to make this decision under the Racing Regulation Act 2004, based on serious allegations and subsequent findings made by Mr Murrihy," Tasracing chief executive Andrew Jenkins said.

"The named participants have a show cause period to provide evidence why the notice should be rescinded."



https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-02/ben-yole-harness-racing-trainer-suspended-after-murrihy-report/103418378



Interesting as it would seem you are guilty until you prove yourself innocent

[Messenger]

It might be time for HRA to change at least one of their banner pics for the Top Twenty page

[trish]

Good idea.

[trish]

I think this is the article Trish is referring to

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-06/ben-yole-appeal-over-harness-racing-ban-murrihy-report/103430808

Yes, it is , thank you Kev.

[gutwagon]

It's very strange that the Tas board didn't get to see the report until it was made public, you would expect them to be kept informed !