Mr Joseph (Joe) Bajada

The Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards have concluded an inquiry into the activities of disqualified person Mr Joseph (Joe) Bajada on 31 March 2021.

After hearing evidence from Mr Bajada, and submissions from his representative Mr Kiesey, Mr Bajada was issued with a charge under Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) 259(1)(g) and (h) which states:

259. (1)  A disqualified person or a person whose name appears in the current list of disqualifications published or adopted by a recognised harness racing authority or a person warned off cannot do any of the following   -   

 (g)  enter any premises used for the purposes of the harness racing industry;

(h)  participate in any manner in the harness racing industry;

The particulars of the charge related to Mr Bajada entering a property on 31 March 2021 where registered standardbreds were kept and further him purchasing and facilitating the delivery of hay to this property for registered standardbreds and by doing so he entered a premises used for purposes of the harness racing industry and he participated in the harness racing industry.

In assessing penalty Stewards considered:

  • Mr Bajadas’ personal circumstances;
  • The seriousness of breaching AHRR 259(1);
  • General and specific deterrence;
  • Previous Victorian penalties imposed for similar offending;
  • The property involved in the breach was not used for training purposes;
  • The standardbreds involved in the breach were not in training of any kind;
  • The relatively low-level offending involved in the rule breach.

Stewards accordingly imposed a further 6 month period of disqualification which results in Mr Bajada remaining a disqualified person up until 20 December 2023.

Stewards declined to enact AHRR 259A considering the relatively low-level offending involved.

Mr Bajada was advised of his rights of appeal.

 

Mr Albert Cefai

Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards have concluded an inquiry into the administration of alkalinising agents to the horses River Patrol NZ and My Lindy Angels.

Albert Cefai, trainer of River Patrol NZ and My Lindy Angels, was interviewed by HRV Stewards on 18 November 2021 concerning River Patrol NZ returning an elevated TCO2 level when sampled at Cranbourne on 14 November 2021 and the husbandry practices adopted leading into this engagement.

The evidence provided by Mr Cefai during the stable inspection conducted on 18 November 2021 was considered.

After consideration of all the evidence Mr Cefai was issued with two charges.

Charge one was issued under the provisions of Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 196C(1)(b) which states:

196C.  (1)   A person must not administer an alkalinising agent in any manner to a horse which is engaged to run in a race:

(b)  at any time within one (1) clear day of the commencement of the race.

The particulars of the charge being that on 13 November 2021, as the trainer of River Patrol NZ, he caused an alkalinising agent to be administered via its feed within one clear day of its engagement at the Cranbourne race meeting on 14 November 2021.

Charge two was also issued under the provisions of Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 196C(1)(b) which states:

196C.  (1)   A person must not administer an alkalinising agent in any manner to a horse which is engaged to run in a race:

(b)  at any time within one (1) clear day of the commencement of the race.

The particulars of the charge being that on 17 November 2021, as the trainer of My Lindy Angels, he caused an alkalinising agent to be administered via its feed within one clear day of its engagement at the Cranbourne race meeting on 18 November 2021 which resulted in its late scratching from this engagement.

Mr Cefai pleaded guilty to both charges.

In assessing penalty Stewards took into account:

  • Mr Cefai’s guilty plea and admissions provided;
  • Mr Cefai’s clear industry record over approximately 30 years;
  • Any penalty imposed must demonstrate the importance of only administering substances within the permitted timeframe determined by the AHRR.

Stewards accordingly imposed a fine of $2,000

Stewards further ordered in accordance with the mandatory provisions of Rule 196C(3) that River Patrol NZ be disqualified from its 1st placing at Cranbourne on 14 November 2021.

Mr Cefai was advised of his right of appeal.

 

Mr Mark Buckingham

Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards have concluded an inquiry into the administration of the anabolic androgenic steroid ‘Protabol’ by licensed trainer/driver Mr Mark Buckingham.

The investigation commenced when the product ‘Protabol’ was located at the registered training address of Mr Buckingham during a stable inspection.

During the investigation evidence was taken from Mr Buckingham and his stable veterinarian Dr Rowley Bennett. The further evidence tendered by Mr Buckingham during the inquiry was also considered.

After consideration of all the evidence Mr Buckingham was issued with a charge under the provisions of Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190AA(2)(a) which states:

190AA. (2)  Any person who:

(a)  administers an anabolic androgenic steroid;

 to a horse is guilty of an offence. 

The particulars of the charge being that in September or October 2020 Mr Buckingham administered ‘Protabol’, an anabolic androgenic steroid to an unnamed weanling.

Mr Buckingham pleaded guilty to the charge.

In assessing penalty Stewards considered:

  • Mr Buckingham’s guilty plea and admissions provided;
  • The seriousness of the rule breach;
  • Mr Buckingham’s clear industry record over approximately 30 years;
  • That the administration of the substance was performed on veterinary advice;
  • General and specific deterrence.

Stewards accordingly imposed a fine of $5,000 and ordered half of the penalty be suspended for a period of 2 years providing there are no further offences under any rule, excluding 190B, contained in Part 12 of the Australian Harness Racing Rules.