March 8, 2011
The Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board today considered a matter in regards to multiple charges issued by HRV Stewards following the running of race six, the SEW-Eurodrive New Year Sprint at the Tabcorp Park Melton harness racing meeting on Friday 7 January 2011. A total of eight charges were issued against licensed persons Lance Justice (one charge), David Moran (two charges), Ahmed Taiba (one charge), Freddy Taiba (two charges), Jodi Quinlan (one charge) and Laura Crossland (one charge).
Mr Lance Justice was charged under Australian Rule of Harness Racing (ARHR) 163(1) (a) which reads as follows:
(1) A driver shall not – (a) cause or contribute to any crossing, jostling or interference;
In issuing this charge the Stewards relied on the definition of the term “crossing” as provided by Rule 163 (5) which reads as follows:
For the purposes of sub rule (1) “crossing” occurs when a driver changing the position of the driver’s horse, compels another runner to shorten stride or the driver of that other horse to pull it out of its stride.
It was alleged approaching the first turn Mr Justice had shifted Coastal NZ down the track to cross Ghadasbest, compelling that horse to shorten stride and obliged the driver of that horse Mr Ahmed Taiba, to check his drive. The HRV RAD Board dismissed the charge issued against Mr Justice.
Mr David Moran was charged under ARHR 163(1)(c) which reads as follows:
A driver shall not allow the driver's horse or the sulky or any part thereof to shift inside or make contact with the marker post.
It was alleged racing down the home straight, Mr Moran shifted Karlsruhe into the sprint lane and endeavoured to obtain a run to the inside of Ghadasbest when there was insufficient room to do so resulting in the Sulky wheel of Karlsruhe contacting and racing inside the line of two marker pegs prior to the winning post.
Mr Moran was found guilty of the charge and fined $500.
Mr Moran was further charged with a breach of ARHR 168(1) which reads as follows:
A person shall not before, during or after a race drive in a manner which in the opinion of the stewards is careless, reckless, incompetent, intimidatory, improper, foul or likely to endanger persons or horses.
It was alleged having attempted to obtain a run to the inside of Ghadasbest when there was insufficient room to do so prior to the winning post and making contact with marker pegs, Mr Moran then shifted Karlsruhe back outside the line of the marker pegs after the winning post resulting in Ghadasbest to his outside being placed in restricted racing room.
As a consequence of Mr Moran’s actions, Ghadasbest has contacted the sulky of Coastal when placed in restricted racing room and sustained a serious laceration to the off fore leg. In the opinion of the Stewards, Mr Moran’s actions in shifting Karlsruhe outside the line of the marker pegs after the winning post was, under the circumstances careless and likely to endanger persons or horses.
Mr Moran was found guilty of the charge and his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of eight weeks.
Ms Jodi Quinlan was charged under ARHR 168(1). It was alleged upon passing the winning post, Ms Quinlan permitted Decorated Jasper to shift in and down the track. As a consequence, Coastal to her inside has been obliged to pace in restricted racing room. In the opinion of the Stewards Ms Quinlan’s actions in permitting Decorated Jasper to shift inwards after the winning post were, under the circumstances careless.
Ms Quinlan was found guilty of the charge and fined $500.
Mr Ahmed Taiba was charged under ARHR 231(1) which reads as follows:
A person shall not threaten, harass, intimidate, abuse, assault or otherwise interfere improperly with anyone employed, engaged or participating in the harness racing industry or otherwise having a connection with it.
It was alleged after the winning post and upon the field being eased up, Mr Ahmed Taiba used abusive language toward Mr Lance Justice driver of Coastal NZ and Mr David Moran, driver of Karlsruhe.
Mr Ahmed Taiba was found guilty of the charge and fined $1000. The HRV RAD Board ordered this penalty be fully suspended for a period of 12 months.
Mr Freddy Taiba was charged under ARHR 231(1). It was alleged following the running of race six and within the stalls complex, Mr Freddy Taiba approached Mr David Moran driver of Karlsruhe and used abusive language toward Mr Moran.
Mr Freddy Taiba was fined $1000. The HRV RAD Board ordered this penalty be fully suspended for a period of 12 months.
Mr Freddy Taiba pleaded guilty to a second charge under the provisions of ARHR 231(1). It was alleged following the running of race six and in the proximity of the float carpark, Mr Freddy Taiba used abusive language toward Mr Michael Dalton, Tabcorp Park Carpark Attendant.
Mr Freddy Taiba was subsequently fined $500. The HRV RAD Board ordered this penalty also be fully suspended for a period of 12 months.
A final charge issued against Ms Laura Crossland under ARHR 231(1) alledging she used abusive language toward Mr Freddy Taiba within the stalls complex was dismissed.
Connections of Ghadasbest have subsequently advised that as a consequence of the injury sustained by Ghadasbest on Friday 7 January 2011 in the incident referred to, the horse was humanely destroyed at the Ballarat Equine Clinic the following day.
