Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards have issued a charge against licensed trainer Maryanne Laffan under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 190(1).

AHRR 190(1) states:

A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.

It is alleged that Ms Laffan presented the horse ‘Silky Smooth Excuse’ to race at the Shepparton harness racing meeting on 29 November 2020, not free of the prohibited substance heptaminol.

The charge will be heard by the Victoria Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed.