On 2 December 2020, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards concluded an investigation into the wagering of registered owner Nigel Haynes on the Echuca harness racing meeting on 20 September 2020.
After considering all the available evidence, Mr Haynes was issued with a charge under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 235A (4) which states:
The connections must not lay any horse that is or may be entered by them or on their behalf, save that a bookmaker may lay a horse in accordance with his licence.
The particulars of the charge being that Mr Haynes, a part-owner of ‘Star Ruler NZ’ which competed in Race 1 at Echuca on 20 September 2020, placed a lay bet against that horse.
Mr Haynes pleaded guilty to the charge and after considering all the circumstances including his guilty plea and the size of the bet, Mr Haynes was issued with a fine of $200 of which $100 was suspended for 12 months.