Stewards News

[Messenger]

Another one today

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article?news_id=40143

Jennifer Douglas gets 9mths after pleading guilty to tubing
I think we need a Shame list
Something catchy like : Caught Cheating - Never To Be Trusted Again

[hugdon]

Remorseful for being caught, not for committing the offence(s) otherwise why cheat? Yes let's have cheat sheet

[Messenger]

Jeff Tabone disqualified for 3yrs for TCO2 offence (and a poor record)

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article?news_id=40274

Now that is sending a message

[Messenger]

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/stewards-reports/stewards-reports-detail/?mc=BN210219



I cannot find appeal details or change of penalty anywhere and yet it must have been ammended as it is not 6mths since this suspension and yet Haydon is back driving

or

Did he appeal and has been driving on a stay?

NB HRV your Suspended Drivers page has not been updated for this entire year!

ps I hope you're still not paying the person who is supposed to update this ;)

https://www.thetrots.com.au/for-participants/rules/suspended-drivers/

[Messenger]

I remembered that Harnessweb (not everybody has access) has a Suspended Drivers list for the whole nation (maybe not WA unless they are all Very Good over there)
BUT it does not include Disqualified Drivers :confused:

[Messenger]

Daryl Douglas in the gun again

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=40481

[Messenger]

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=40491

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=40487

Police charge a 49yo Kilmore man in relation to race fixing

See post 402 back on Pg 41 of this thread

[pards]

corrupt ??? incompetent ????or mentally retarded???? race 7 Ouyen ,you be the judge

[Dot]

Correct most likely actually pards. Looks to me that Im Sir Blake still fractionally behind the leader when he broke therefore he made ground whilst galloping. If he stayed in his gear wins easily of course, and with that amount of momentum and that close to the line not much if anything Kerryn could do about it.

Similarly a couple of months ago Chris Alford galloped across the line on a trotter, kept the race, deemed not to have made ground if I recall correctly.

[Messenger]

And how Hot is the Douglas stable running!

[pards]

exactly right ,1 week nothing happens ,all clear straight away ,today kezzas horse would of won easily,NO difference to the result ,low and behold protest upheld , my point stewards have not got the mental capacity to act on protests

[pards]

White hot

[Dot]

Not the same circumstances Pards. Alfords galloped in the shadows of the post whilst leading and the second horse was taking ground off him as they crossed the line. Melton 2yo Trotterd Breeders Crown Final 25/08/2018 if you want to take a look.

Here’s the rule

155. (1) If a horse breaks gait during a race and the Stewards are of the opinion that the horse thereby gained ground or maintained its ground or caused interference to or obtained an advantage to the detriment of another runner, the Stewards may disqualify the horse from the race or place it in a lower position.

As I wrote looked to me that Im Sir Blake was still fractionally behind the leader when he galloped so gained ground which entitles the stewards to place him in a lower position. I agree it looks rough because he certainly was going to win. Perhaps Alford and Douglas were much better advocates in the protests then Gath and Manning.

[Messenger]

Correct most likely actually pards. Looks to me that Im Sir Blake still fractionally behind the leader when he broke therefore he made ground whilst galloping. If he stayed in his gear wins easily of course, and with that amount of momentum and that close to the line not much if anything Kerryn could do about it.

Similarly a couple of months ago Chris Alford galloped across the line on a trotter, kept the race, deemed not to have made ground if I recall correctly.

I agree with you and the stewards Dot. He was fractionally behind when he galloped and that makes all the difference. He thus made ground when galloping. If he had been in front it could have been argued he did not make any ground. I will grant you that it is an interesting one Peter

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=OU020619#OUC02061902

[arlington]

corrupt ??? incompetent ????or mentally retarded???? race 7 Ouyen ,you be the judge

A very extensive stewards report http://www.harness.org.au/racing/stewards-reports/stewards-reports-detail/?mc=OU020619

[Messenger]

Did anything ever come of this? As far as I can recall don't remember any outcome being publicised. Or is it just sweep it under the carpet and hope people forget.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++
VIC - The Boss Man - Late Scratching
01 December 2018

The Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards advise that The Boss Man was scratched from its engagement in Race 4 at tonight’s Tabcorp Park Melton meeting, a heat of the Trotters Inter Dominion Championship under the provisions of Australian Harness Racing Rule 193(5).

Naomi Malone has also been scratched from Race 9 this evening by Order of the Stewards.

The scratching relates to a raceday stable inspection being performed this afternoon and concerns held that The Boss Man had either been stomach tubed or attempted to be stomach tubed.

Stewards further held concerns that Noami Malone may also have been treated in breach of the rules.

An investigation remains ongoing into this matter and no further comment will be made at this time.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++

See the new thread Stephen, Glenn Douglas and Ellen Tormey Charged

http://www.harnessracingforum.com/showthread.php?13265-Glenn-Douglas-and-Ellen-Tormey-charged

[Messenger]

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=40604

HARNESS RACING INQUIRY-24 year old female Harness Industry Participant

I bet there are plenty on the mainland who wished they could have remained anonymous when charged

[Messenger]

Catching up on some reading
I see Michael Bellman appealed his 2 week only suspension (pleading guilty helped) for a crazy drive (by both him and Nathan Weightman) at Ouyen in March and had his appeal dismissed and the penalty upped to 3 weeks
Should have left well enough alone
Lesson: Very risky to appeal when you got a guilty plea discount

[gutwagon]

I see the alleged Shepparton race fixer has had all restrictions lifted. Seemed to go unnoticed in the media.
https://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=40691

[Messenger]

Maybe I need to change this to Stewards and Police News
Only charges at this stage but such circumventing is what many think is happening in harness too

[Messenger]

It has to be like hitting an umpire - 10yrs if found guilty

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=40812

[Showgrounds]

Breaking news in the Herald Sun (3:29pm, EST). We no longer have to hang around pubs and clubs to find out who the 49 year-old Kilmore man is:

A Victorian harness racing trainer is facing jail over the alleged corruption of a race in which he had two horses competing.

Police’s sporting integrity intelligence unit charged Robert Walters, 49, with two offences relating to race-fixing in Shepparton on July 17 last year.

The Kilmore trainer’s case was brought before Melbourne Magistrates Court for the first time but he did not attend the hearing last month.

Police allege, in charge sheets released by the court, that Mr Walters:
- Drove his horse, Kash, over the 2190m trot in a manner that did not provide it the full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible placing;
- Manipulated the field positions to disadvantage other horses and give the advantage to his other horse, Paddy Mach; and
- Advised an associate of his intention to “employ specific tactics” so that bets could be placed.

Mr Walters’ is facing counts of engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome, and use of corrupt conduct information for betting purposes.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years jail.
It was not outlined what financial advantage Mr Walters received from the alleged offending.

He was driving Kash, one of his horses in the race, while another driver had charge of Paddy Mach, who won the race.
It is alleged he put Kash in a position that hindered trotter Springfield Tattoo, and cleared the way for Paddy Mach to win.
Mr Walters’ lawyer Denis Connell told the court that while his client was absent he was “taking the matters very seriously”.
He could not indicate to the court if Mr Walters would plead guilty or contest the charges.

The court heard Mr Walters was only charged on March 30 this year.
A Harness Racing Victoria stewards report, published online after last year’s race meeting, revealed they had opened an inquiry into the race and seized Mr Walters’ mobile phone for forensic analysis.
Mr Walters must attend his next court hearing on August 22.


I note the horse Paddy Mach won yesterday at Maryborough for the trainer. No comments re this case from HRV as yet.

PS: VERY interesting to note who drove the horse to win the race in question at Shepparton!

[Messenger]

To save everybody doing the search here are the links to the race and the stewards report

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=SP170718#SPC17071809

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/stewards-reports/stewards-reports-detail/?mc=SP170718

As it has developed, this matter has been mentioned in previous posts in this thread

There will not be any comments regarding this on the HRV site, only the HRA site has a Stewards News section

[Messenger]

Robert Walters has 3 in at Kilmore on Friday
You would have thought he may have been suspended as a result of the above police charges
But maybe HRV have given up on making such suspensions stick (Innocent until proven Guilty etc)

[Showgrounds]

"Move along, nothing to see here!"

Really recommend everybody watches the reply of the 17/07/18 race at Shepparton in which the offence took place. The three blind mice would have drawn the same conclusion as the officiating stewards. The stewards report for the night showed they acted promptly and effectively and it was reported in more detail than most of the sanitized reports you usually read.

The needy and the greedy strike again to undermine the reputation of harness racing, this time in a tin-pot restricted race late on a winter's night. Well done gentlemen. Also note Walter's drive (Kash NZ, a mare) has not raced since. Stud, maybe.

[thepacingman]

Robert Walters has 3 in at Kilmore on Friday
You would have thought he may have been suspended as a result of the above police charges
But maybe HRV have given up on making such suspensions stick (Innocent until proven Guilty etc)

What a farce.
You have the situation where the police charge Walters yet the licensing committee says there is not enough evidence to stand him down.

************************************************** **********************
21 June 2019 | Harness Racing Victoria

On May 31, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) stewards suspended the licences of a 49-year-old person from Kilmore as a result of criminal charges issued by Victoria Police.

The alleged offences arose from a race conducted at Shepparton on July 17, 2018.

In accordance with the HRV Licencing Policy (which can be viewed here), the person (who cannot be named for legal reasons) was referred to the HRV Show Cause Sub-Committee (SCSC) to determine whether he continued to meet the suitability criteria, an inherent requirement of all licenced persons.

The person remained subject to the restrictions imposed by the HRV stewards until a final determination was made concerning whether they continued to meet the suitability criteria.

On June 11, the SCSC heard submissions from the person and HRV and, after consideration, recommended that there was not sufficient evidence to deregister the person and therefore all restrictions have now been removed.
************************************************** **********************

[Messenger]

WA stewards not messing around
Matthew Henwood gets 7yrs for Baron Jujon's positives to cocaine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester

http://www.harness.org.au/NEWS/news2/uploads/Stewards%20Inquiry%20-%20Harness%20-%20Trainer%20M%20Henwood.pdf

[Messenger]

Another one today

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article?news_id=40143

Jennifer Douglas gets 9mths after pleading guilty to tubing
I think we need a Shame list
Something catchy like : Caught Cheating - Never To Be Trusted Again

Appealed and 9mths became 12 :)

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=41058

[Messenger]

Sounds like Zac is complaining about being caught when he thought the stewards would be busy elsewhere
I don't think his tweets are going to pass HRV's media rules and I think he has some business coming up from Mildura Cup night too

[Adaptor]

From Breeder's Crown night at Melton:

Stewards accordingly imposed a 10 week suspension of Mr Hoban’s licence to drive in races and a $1000 fine. In view of the seriousness of the charge Stewards ordered the suspension commence immediately. Mr Hoban was further advised that he was required to show cause as to why Stewards should not vary his driver’s licence from a Grade A driver’s licence to a Grade B driver’s licence in accordance with Rule 90(7). Mr Hoban was provided 7 days to provide written submissions to this effect.

[Messenger]

Mangochililime won R1 at Shep tonight and paid $63.70
The stewards column suggests the run was queried
He had been freshened up (7wks between runs) after what appeared an ordinary run
But the previous start he has won a very similar race
I guess they demand consistency

[Adaptor]

Suspensions 19 weeks in total

Race 4 M Berger R163(1)(b 7 days

Race 7 L Wills R168(1)(a) 2 weeks

Race 7 D Ferris R149(1) 6 weeks

Race 7 D Ferris R163(1)(a)(iii) 4 weeks

Race 8 I Dornauf R163(1)(a)(iii) 2 weeks

Race 10 D Thackeray R163(1)(a)(iii) 4 weeks

[Messenger]

No wonder Vic does not post Stewards News on their site
The following snip is from the HRA site

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/top-stories/#stewards

Plenty of Arsenic around again
And in NSW the septic tanks is alleged to be at fault again

[Messenger]

Kari Males only cops $750 fine for her arsenic positive ($3000 but $2250 suspended)
What about all the punters on the $1.90 fav who ran second

Here are the race details

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX020519#MXC02051904

The ruling is only available as a pdf download in HRA's Steward News so you will have to look that one up yourself if interested

[Messenger]

I had someone alert me to this one and ask the question "how are we 'encouraging' young kids to get involved"
Cobram R1 on Monday

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=CO111119#COC11111907

Tayla French was suspended - all she did was hold the lead almost accidentally IMO and she is punished because the other two made it a fast lead time (and her horse tired badly)

From the Stewards Report

Tayla French, driver of Trade Whispers, was found guilty of a charge under AHR Rule 149(1) for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures from the start through to entering the back straight on the first occasion when there was a reasonable opportunity to obtain a trail on Ozzie Sunshine ($1.40 fav) or Eipper ($5.30 2nd fav) when both runners had gained a significant advantage over Trade Whispers shortly after the start. In failing to do so Ms French urged the gelding forward with the whip to maintain the lead and withstand the challenge of both runners recording a lead time which was 2.45 seconds quicker than the 5 year average and ultimately Trade Whispers being placed under pressure from the 1000m before yielding ground from the 600m to finish in last position beaten 77.3m. In the opinion of the Stewards the tactics adopted resulted in Trade Whispers not being afforded full opportunity to finish in its best possible placing. In determining penalty Stewards were mindful of the relevant considerations as outlined within the ‘HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines’, placing particular weight on Trade Whispers exposed form (most recent start 9th placing beaten in excess of 170m), Ms French’s driving record, the degree of culpability and her driving frequency and as such imposed a 5 week suspension of her license to drive in races which was ordered to commence at midnight on 13 November 2019.

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/stewards-reports/stewards-reports-detail/?mc=CO111119

Compared to the other 2 she didn't really drive the horse out but seemed to see an opportunity when the other 2 went roughly - see more from the stewards report below. It backfired on this occasion but a Suspension??!!!!

Ozzie Sunshine (Glenn Douglas) shifted up the track shortly after the start simultaneously as Eipper (Jackson Painting) shifted in slightly, resulting in both runner racing roughly momentarily. Due to the mitigating circumstances stewards could not place blame either horse or driver and noted the incident.

It was probably a missed opportunity for Glenn Douglas but the time it is taking for them to hear the serious charges against him, he most likely will have many more ops

[Messenger]

It would seem that at least stewards are aware of the expectations of the general public

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=41988

And evidence that leading stables are being inspected

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/stewards-reports/stewards-reports-detail/?mc=MX151119

Today stable inspections were conducted at the registered training address of Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin. During this inspection a number of persons were observed performing trackwork duties without an approved body protector fitted.

Stewards accordingly imposed the following penalties under Rule 159A(7):

Emma Stewart - $200
Clayton Tonkin - $200
Vin Mahar - $200
Gerard Jamieson - $200
Ada Massa - $200
Nora Viljanen - $200

[Messenger]

I had someone alert me to this one and ask the question "how are we 'encouraging' young kids to get involved"
Cobram R1 on Monday

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=CO111119#COC11111907

Tayla French was suspended - all she did was hold the lead almost accidentally IMO and she is punished because the other two made it a fast lead time (and her horse tired badly)

From the Stewards Report

Tayla French, driver of Trade Whispers, was found guilty of a charge under AHR Rule 149(1) for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures from the start through to entering the back straight on the first occasion when there was a reasonable opportunity to obtain a trail on Ozzie Sunshine ($1.40 fav) or Eipper ($5.30 2nd fav) when both runners had gained a significant advantage over Trade Whispers shortly after the start. In failing to do so Ms French urged the gelding forward with the whip to maintain the lead and withstand the challenge of both runners recording a lead time which was 2.45 seconds quicker than the 5 year average and ultimately Trade Whispers being placed under pressure from the 1000m before yielding ground from the 600m to finish in last position beaten 77.3m. In the opinion of the Stewards the tactics adopted resulted in Trade Whispers not being afforded full opportunity to finish in its best possible placing. In determining penalty Stewards were mindful of the relevant considerations as outlined within the ‘HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines’, placing particular weight on Trade Whispers exposed form (most recent start 9th placing beaten in excess of 170m), Ms French’s driving record, the degree of culpability and her driving frequency and as such imposed a 5 week suspension of her license to drive in races which was ordered to commence at midnight on 13 November 2019.

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/stewards-reports/stewards-reports-detail/?mc=CO111119

Compared to the other 2 she didn't really drive the horse out but seemed to see an opportunity when the other 2 went roughly - see more from the stewards report below. It backfired on this occasion but a Suspension??!!!!

Ozzie Sunshine (Glenn Douglas) shifted up the track shortly after the start simultaneously as Eipper (Jackson Painting) shifted in slightly, resulting in both runner racing roughly momentarily. Due to the mitigating circumstances stewards could not place blame either horse or driver and noted the incident.

It was probably a missed opportunity for Glenn Douglas but the time it is taking for them to hear the serious charges against him, he most likely will have many more ops

Good to see her appeal was upheld

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=42215

[Adaptor]

Great
Good to see her appeal was upheld

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=42215

Great to see that Tayla represented herself. Noted the panel members: 2 former jockeys of the panel of 3

[Messenger]

This thread is getting a bit too long to find things in so I am now closing it and creating Stewards News 2

[Messenger]

I read this on Harness Cafe
An example of what stewards have to put up with
“What no one knows, won’t hurt them”

http://www.jca.org.nz/non-race-day-hearings/non-raceday-inquiry-riu-v-s-a-dolan-reserved-decision-dated-15-january-2020-chair-mr-r-g-mckenzie