Glenn Douglas

[Thevoiceofreason]

I may well have the whole set up wrong but my understanding of the Integrity Set up in Victoria is that the RAD Board hear this type of serious case.

The stewards lay a charge and the RAD board decides on guilt and penalty so it is not a matter for the stewards as mentioned in the first post.

For the record my opinion is whilst this incident happened on the racetrack it is not a driving offence and should not have been penalised as one.

For years we have been told that the Australian System of stewarding is unfair because they are investigator, judge and jury, it is findings like this that make you realise just how good the system is.

Blame who you will but do not blame the stewards.

[aussiebreno]

I may well have the whole set up wrong but my understanding of the Integrity Set up in Victoria is that the RAD Board hear this type of serious case.

The stewards lay a charge and the RAD board decides on guilt and penalty so it is not a matter for the stewards as mentioned in the first post.

For the record my opinion is whilst this incident happened on the racetrack it is not a driving offence and should not have been penalised as one.

For years we have been told that the Australian System of stewarding is unfair because they are investigator, judge and jury, it is findings like this that make you realise just how good the system is.

Blame who you will but do not blame the stewards.

Well RAD board. The crux of my post wasn't to lay blame upon somebody rather just point out what I think is the wrong treatment - which you seem to agree with. I actually searched the RAD board website during the week but couldn't find any precedent, there was a 231(2) but only a fine was applied and was I guess you could say less serious.

Edit: And this must also confirm you are a steward Bill.

[Thevoiceofreason]

Well RAD board. The crux of my post wasn't to lay blame upon somebody rather just point out what I think is the wrong treatment - which you seem to agree with. I actually searched the RAD board website during the week but couldn't find any precedent, there was a 231(2) but only a fine was applied and was I guess you could say less serious.

Edit: And this must also confirm you are a steward Bill.

No what it confirms is that I have made a study of integrity based issues across both codes for some years and believe the stewards are often blamed for other floors in the system, to be honest I do not think I would cop the crap for the wages on offer.

[aussiebreno]

No what it confirms is that I have made a study of integrity based issues

Which is why I respect that you agree with the crux and reason of my post, the application of the punishment was wrong

[Thevoiceofreason]

I agree 100% the penalty is a joke, to be honest I am glad I am not a steward with HRV I would be pretty disillusioned.

[broncobrad]

I think Mitch, Gutwagon, Brenno and Bill are all on the money. The RAD (Racing and Disciplinary Board) have made a mockery of the stewards decision. Shane Wonson and Luke McCarthy should try to have their appeals heard by this mob across the border, they could appeal on the grounds of whatever fairytale they come up with and stand a very good chance of getting the original decision varied!!!

I don't think I am drawing too long a bow, but how about this scenario. Nick D'Arcy assaults Simon Cowley in a bar, not in a pool. The AOC take the action of terminating D'Arcy from the 2008 Australian Olympic Team, not on the grounds of the criminal proceedings, but on the grounds of the standards set by past and present Olympians and in the eyes of the Australian public, the obligation to protect that reputation...(see paragraph 18 of the attached link of the appeal by D'Arcy that failed). http://www.cnarb.com/2008wd/cas2008/...20internet.pdf

Now that was a decision about credibility. Putting the sport above the star. Brave stand indeed, that was confirmed by the tribunal.

What the RAD have done is given the sport of harness racing in Victoria one big black eye and Glenn a guilt edged 'Get out of jail free card'.

A disgraceful, hollow decision that in essence condones assault within the industry. The only thing the RAD stands for in this instance is the radical way it has applied the rules. Victoria are a long way behind NSW in the integrity stakes if these are the sort of decisions being handed down.

Bill, I would not want to be a steward either, sometimes its hard to believe they are watching the same race that I am, especially the bush boys, but I can say without fear or favour that I have a heck of a lot more confidence in them now (in NSW) than 6 months ago.

[teecee]

If the Douglas decision is puzzling how about this one>>>??
http://www.harness.org.au/news-artic...?news_id=18441

Isn't it the job of the stewards to determine the charge and the appeal judge to determine the value of their case.
If they meet the standard then a guilty verdict is delivered / appeal dismissed. If not, then a not guilty verdict is delivered / appeal upheld.
Surely it is inappropriate for the appeal judge to substitute a charge laid by the stewards to one he feels more appropriate or able to uphold.

In this particular case a charge of not keeping your horse straight in the final stretch,(misdemeanour standard) to me seems to me a pretty long bow to one of
not giving your horse the best chance in a race (Abridged fm not driving your horse on its merits) (a serious racing offence).