On 2 July 2021, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards filed an application with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to review the penalties imposed by the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) on 9 June 2021 against licensed driver Ryan Duffy.

The HRV Stewards sought a review of the penalty imposed by the VRT in relation to charges under Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) 193(1) for the stomach tubing of ‘Bonnie Kash’ at Mildura on on 13 April 2019; and 187(6) for subsequently frustrating the inquiry by running away from HRV Stewards on the same date.

The details of the VRT’s decision can be viewed here.

At a VCAT hearing on 21 January 2022, VCAT Member Tang considered submissions from Amy Wood on behalf of HRV and Rick Jones on behalf of Mr Duffy.

The VCAT decision, which was handed down on 1 March 2022 and can be viewed here, ordered that the VRT penalty decision be affirmed.